Nitric Oxide | Metro Welding Supply Corp.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

Nitric Oxide (NO) gas is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless diatomic molecule composed of one nitrogen atom (N) and one oxygen atom (O). It holds significant importance in various industries and applications due to its unique chemical properties and physiological effects. Nitric Oxide is widely used in the medical field for its vasodilating properties. It also finds applications in pharmaceuticals for various processes including synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds and as an analytical reagent.

10 KEY CHARACTERISTICS

1. Colorless and Odorless: Nitric Oxide is a colorless gas that cannot be detected by smell, making it imperceptible to human senses.
2. Diatomic Molecule: It consists of two atoms - one nitrogen (N) and one oxygen (O) - forming a diatomic molecule, represented as NO.
3. Highly Reactive: Nitric Oxide is a highly reactive gas due to its unpaired electron, making it prone to interact with other molecules in various chemical reactions.
4. Vasodilator: It acts as a vasodilator, relaxing and widening blood vessels, which is crucial for regulating blood flow and blood pressure.
5. Endogenous Signaling Molecule: In the human body, Nitric Oxide acts as an important signaling molecule involved in various physiological processes, including neurotransmission, immune response, and regulation of blood flow.
6. Short Half-life: Nitric Oxide has a very short half-life in biological systems, typically only a few seconds, before it is rapidly metabolized into less reactive nitrogen oxides.
7. Biological Role: It plays a vital role in regulating vascular tone, platelet function, and neurotransmission, and serves as an antimicrobial agent in the immune system.
8. Gasotransmitter: Nitric Oxide is considered one of the three gasotransmitters (alongside carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide), which are gaseous signaling molecules involved in cellular communication.
9. Environmental Emissions: It is released into the atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic sources, contributing to the formation of air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ground-level ozone (O3).
10. Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications: Nitric Oxide is used in medical settings for treating conditions like neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, and for certain cardiovascular procedures. It also finds applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing and research.

10 COMMON USES

1. Neonatal Care: Used to treat respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants, improving oxygenation and reducing the need for mechanical ventilation.
2. Synthesis of Pharmaceuticals: Nitric Oxide is utilized in the production of various pharmaceutical compounds, including nitrate-based drugs.
3. Analytical Reagent: Used as a reagent in chemical analysis processes, particularly in spectroscopy and chromatography.
4. Preservative: Acts as an antimicrobial agent, helping to extend the shelf life of packaged food products.
5. Biological Studies: Utilized in laboratory settings to study the effects of Nitric Oxide on biological systems, including cellular signaling pathways.
6. Metal Surface Treatments: Used in processes like passivation and surface modification of metals.
7. Internal Combustion Engines: Nitric Oxide is a byproduct of combustion processes, contributing to the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in exhaust emissions.
8. Air Quality Monitoring: Nitric Oxide levels are measured as an indicator of air pollution, particularly in urban areas and near industrial facilities.
9. Fire Protection Systems: Nitric Oxide can be used in fire suppression systems, where it acts as an inerting agent to displace oxygen and suppress flames.
10. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Nitric Oxide may be used in combination with hyperbaric oxygen therapy to enhance wound healing and tissue repair.