Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have conducted a study on how hydrogen and carbon monoxide interact with solids containing a crown-motif structure of platinum and gold. Using quick-scan X-ray absorption measurements and theoretical calculations, they investigated a solid compound named PtAu8-PMo12. The research focused on the importance of nanoscale voids in the structure for gas adsorption, with implications for future sensor development and gas separation technologies. Ligand-protected metal clusters, such as the platinum-gold cluster studied, have unique properties that are advantageous for catalyst applications, including in the hydrogen evolution reaction. The team, led by Professor Seiji Yamazoe, explored how these gases bind to the platinum atom, causing significant structural and electronic changes. Hydrogen demonstrated faster and reversible adsorption due to its smaller size, facilitating quicker diffusion through the structure's channels, while carbon monoxide bound irreversibly, distorting the original crown-motif into a chalice shape. This study forms part of a broader initiative to understand and manipulate chemical compound structures efficiently and highlights the role of void diffusion in understanding structural modifications and gas transport in solids. The work was supported by various grants, showcasing the collaborative efforts in advancing materials science and nanotechnology.