Selecting for ethylene: Purification of ethylene from other gases produced during its synthesis, such as acetylene, ethane, and carbon dioxide, is an energy-intensive process. Chen et al. use a mixture of microporous metal-organic framework physisorbents that are selective for one of these four gases. A series of sorbents in a packed-bed geometry produced ethylene pure enough for making polymers. Science , this issue p. 241

The first sorbent with high CO ₂ selectivity and poor water affinity addresses need for trace CO ₂ remediation in confined spaces.

Fine-tuning of HUMs through pillar substitution can significantly enhance trace CO₂ sorption performance and stability.