Danish scientists have developed a synthetic substance that can potentially allow humans to breathe underwater.

Researchers report that this synthetic substance in the form of a crystal can apparently suck out all the oxygen in one regular sized room with just a mere spoonful of it. 

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According to scientists from the University of Southern Denmark, this crystal can intensely attract oxygen as it also does the opposite by releasing oxygen when it is exposed to a vacuum or low pressure or even the smallest amount of heat.  

According to researcher Christine McKenzie from the University of Southern Denmark, cobalt enhances the substance by altering its molecular and electronic structure which allows it to absorb oxygen.  

Since the air that surrounds everything is made up of 21 percent oxygen, this unique substance works by absorbing and assimilating oxygen to a concentration that is 160 times denser. 

Although the prospect of having the ability to breathe underwater is a bit far off, this breakthrough discovery can help patients with lung and pulmonary conditions by providing an alternative to burdensome oxygen tanks.

These special crystal grains have certain similarities to oxygen tanks in that both hold oxygen under pressure but the advantage of this substance is that it can contain three times as much. 

The substance also has varying degrees of how much oxygen it can carry, absorb and release, and researchers suggest that it can be useful for devices that release and retain oxygen for different types of usage.

McKenzie highlights the importance of this newly developed crystals by citing how divers can take advantage of it. Instead of using oxygen tanks, divers can simply use small amounts of the substance that will concentrate the oxygen from the air or water around the diver's environment.

This study is published in the journal, Chemical Science. 

Tagsaquaman substance, underwater breathing crystal grains