The spectrometer(光譜儀) was the only one of its kind in North America, and less than 12 months after its installation(install v.安裝) it was providing results that were
🔆potential a.潛在的，可能的 n.潛力，可能性
該光譜儀是北美唯一的同類光譜儀，安裝後不到 12 個月，它就提供了可能改變遊戲規則的結果。
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When turned on samples of magnesium oxide(氧化鎂), for example, it showed the minerals are capable of pulling(拉) carbon out of the atmosphere.
🔆sample n./v.樣本，取樣
🔆mine 代:我的(東西) n./v,礦，礦井，採礦 miner n.礦工 mineral n.礦物，礦物質
🔆atmosphere n.大氣層，空氣，氣氛
例如，當打開氧化鎂樣品時，它表明這些礦物能夠從大氣中提取碳。
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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.長/久的 adv.長/久地 v.渴望(long for)
🔆The flower longs for the rain，as I long for you.
🔆combat n./v.鬥爭
🔆emission n.排放，排放物
雖然長期以來，這種“碳礦化”一直被探索為對抗溫室氣體排放的一種方式，但結果表明這些礦物還具有巨大潛力。
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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確定的，確定的人/事 definitive a.最終的，確定的，最好的
“[以前] 沒有決定性的證據表明這些特定類型的氧化鎂會形成碳酸鹽，”Washton 說。
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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在正式場景，如論文，報告，寫作等常作為複數(data are)，非正式場景，如郵件，口語，媒體等常用單數(data is)。
“我就是不敢相信這些數據。我們設法獲得這些數據的事實，以及它所講述的故事之美，真是太棒了，“Washton 說。
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But then all of that work abruptly had to stop.
但隨後所有這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只有少數地區傾向，現代英式英語中realize也相當常見。
🔆encounter v./n.偶遇，遭遇
您可能沒有意識到，但您每天遇到的許多產品和加工都依賴於氦氣
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The rate at which the spectrometer consumed(消耗,吃/喝) helium made it a problem.
光譜儀消耗氦氣的速度導致這個問題。
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In a process Washton later described as "traumatizing(使受神經損傷)", the instrument was de-energised英(s變z,美) and mothballed, its experiments suspended.
🔆英美式，energize v.使精力充沛，前綴‘de-’一般表示相反/否定/減少等含義。如：
decode解碼 encode編碼
decompose分解 compose組成
deactivate停用 activate激活
debug調試 bug故障
deforest砍樹，devalue貶值，de-ice除冰，descend下降
🔆mothball n.樟腦丸，衛生球 v.關閉，封存，束之高閣
🔆suspend v.暫停，中止，延緩，懸/吊，停職/停學
在華盛頓後來描述為“創傷性”的過程中，該儀器斷電並被封存，其實驗暫停。
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It would sit inert and useless for several months until more helium could be secured.
它會惰性地放置幾個月，毫無用處，直到可以獲得更多的氦氣。
🔆某些動詞後可接a.作補語，描述動作發生時的狀態。
🔆inert a.無活動能力的，惰性的，遲緩的
🔆secure a.安全的，安心的 v.獲得，保衛，扣緊
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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，該設備已恢復運行——實驗室擁有所需的氦氣。暫時。
本文由小黑盒作者：苦析 原創
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