【英语时差8,16】一个偶然分子

An Accidental Molecule¹ Often times, scientific discoveries happen by accident. For example,British scientists were tinkering with molecules² meant to interact with bioengineered cells. During an experiment, they left an organic solution overnight to evaporate. The next day, they found crystals left behind. And when they examined them, the scientists found something unexpected: the crystals contained carbonate–molecules that form in the presence of carbon dioxide. In other words, the molecules in the solution had absorbed carbon dioxide from the air. This is exciting because many scientists have been searching for a chemical solution to global warming. Molecules that act as carbon sponges, soaking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, could reduce CO2 levels and help reverse the warming trend. Now, the accidently discovered molecule is by no means a solution to global warming–at least not yet. For the molecule to be of much use on a wide scale, the researchers would need to figure out how to isolate³ the tiny part that specializes in absorbing carbon. And even then, it’s not clear how much, or how well, the molecule would work as a carbon sponge. But it’s still an interesting–if accidental–step toward one possible way to curb⁴ global warming. At the very least, studying this accidental molecule may help chemists and other scientists get even closer to helping⁵ cool the planet through chemistry.

 

1 molecule   

n.分子，克分子

参考例句：

• A molecule of water is made up of two atoms of hygrogen and one atom of oxygen.一个水分子是由P妈̬f婘̬ 妈̬成的。
• This gives us the structural formula of the molecule.这种方式给出了分子的结构式。

2 molecules   

分子( molecule的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
• Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。

3 isolate   

vt.使孤立，隔离

参考例句：

• Do not isolate yourself from others.不要把自己孤立起来。
• We should never isolate ourselves from the masses.我们永远不能脱离群众。

4 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。