The spectrometer(光谱仪) was the only one of its kind in North America, and less than 12 months after its installation(install v.安装) it was providing results that were
🔆potential a.潜在的，可能的 n.潜力，可能性
该光谱仪是北美唯一的同类光谱仪，安装后不到 12 个月，它就提供了可能改变游戏规则的结果。
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When turned on samples of magnesium oxide(氧化镁), for example, it showed the minerals are capable of pulling(拉) carbon out of the atmosphere.
🔆sample n./v.样本，取样
🔆mine 代:我的(东西) n./v,矿，矿井，采矿 miner n.矿工 mineral n.矿物，矿物质
🔆atmosphere n.大气层，空气，气氛
例如，当打开氧化镁样品时，它表明这些矿物能够从大气中提取碳。
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Such "carbon mineralisation" has long been explored as a way of combatting greenhouse gas emissions, but the results showed how useful these minerals could be.
🔆long a.长/久的 adv.长/久地 v.渴望(long for)
🔆The flower longs for the rain，as I long for you.
🔆combat n./v.斗争
🔆emission n.排放，排放物
虽然长期以来，这种“碳矿化”一直被探索为对抗温室气体排放的一种方式，但结果表明这些矿物还具有巨大潜力。
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"There had been no definitive evidence of carbonate formations on these particular types of magnesium oxides [before]," says Washton. "
🔆definite a./n确定的，确定的人/事 definitive a.最终的，确定的，最好的
“[以前] 没有决定性的证据表明这些特定类型的氧化镁会形成碳酸盐，”Washton 说。
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I just could not believe the data. The fact that we had managed to get this data, and the beauty of the story it told, was just amazing," Washton says.
🔆data在正式场景，如论文，报告，写作等常作为复数(data are)，非正式场景，如邮件，口语，媒体等常用单数(data is)。
“我就是不敢相信这些数据。我们设法获得这些数据的事实，以及它所讲述的故事之美，真是太棒了，“Washton 说。
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But then all of that work abruptly had to stop.
但随后所有这些工作突然不得不停止。
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You might not realise英（realize美） it, but many of the products and
🔆realize常用，而realise只有少数地区倾向，现代英式英语中realize也相当常见。
🔆encounter v./n.偶遇，遭遇
您可能没有意识到，但您每天遇到的许多产品和加工都依赖于氦气
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The rate at which the spectrometer consumed(消耗,吃/喝) helium made it a problem.
光谱仪消耗氦气的速度导致这个问题。
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In a process Washton later described as "traumatizing(使受神经损伤)", the instrument was de-energised英(s变z,美) and mothballed, its experiments suspended.
🔆英美式，energize v.使精力充沛，前缀‘de-’一般表示相反/否定/减少等含义。如：
decode解码 encode编码
decompose分解 compose组成
deactivate停用 activate激活
debug调试 bug故障
deforest砍树，devalue贬值，de-ice除冰，descend下降
🔆mothball n.樟脑丸，卫生球 v.关闭，封存，束之高阁
🔆suspend v.暂停，中止，延缓，悬/吊，停职/停学
在华盛顿后来描述为“创伤性”的过程中，该仪器断电并被封存，其实验暂停。
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It would sit inert and useless for several months until more helium could be secured.
它会惰性地放置几个月，毫无用处，直到可以获得更多的氦气。
🔆某些动词后可接a.作补语，描述动作发生时的状态。
🔆inert a.无活动能力的，惰性的，迟缓的
🔆secure a.安全的，安心的 v.获得，保卫，扣紧
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Today, the device is back up and running – the lab has the helium it needs. For the time being.
🔆We are safe. For the time being.
今天，该设备已恢复运行——实验室拥有所需的氦气。暂时。
本文由小黑盒作者：苦析 原创
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