A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has developed a revolutionary solar-powered reactor that directly captures carbon dioxide from the air and converts it into sustainable fuel, using sunlight as the power source. The technology has the potential to create a circular, sustainable economy by producing clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Unlike traditional carbon capture technologies, this reactor does not require fossil-fuel-based power or the transport and storage of carbon dioxide. Instead, it uses sunlight to convert atmospheric CO2 into something useful, such as syngas, a key intermediate in the production of many chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
The device, called a solar-powered flow reactor, works by using specialized filters to grab CO2 from the air at night, which is then heated up by sunlight, triggering a chemical reaction that converts it into syngas. The process is efficient and can be scaled up for widespread use.
The researchers believe their technology could solve two problems simultaneously: removing CO2 from the atmosphere and creating a clean alternative to fossil fuels. They envision a future where individuals can generate their own fuel using decentralized reactors, which would be particularly useful in remote or off-grid locations.
Professor Erwin Reisner, who led the research, notes that traditional carbon capture technologies are energy-intensive and create an excuse to continue burning fossil fuels. In contrast, his team’s technology is designed to convert CO2 into something useful without contributing to climate change.
The technology is being commercialized with support from Cambridge Enterprise and UK Research and Innovation. The researchers plan to begin testing their larger-scale reactor in the spring and hope it will become a key component of a sustainable energy landscape for generations to come.
Source: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/solar-powered-device-captures-carbon-dioxide-from-air-to-make-sustainable-fuel