Cornell Scientists Create Solar-Powered System That Captures Carbon Like Plants Do
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📰 The quick summary: Scientists at Cornell University developed a solar-powered carbon capture system that mimics plants by using sunlight to efficiently capture CO2 from the air, eliminating the need for fossil fuels in carbon capture processes.
📈 One key stat: The new sunlight-driven carbon capture method eliminates the need for heat regulation, potentially reducing a portion of the 15% of global energy currently used for gas separation.
💬 One key quote: “From a chemistry standpoint, this is totally different than what anybody else is doing in carbon capture,” explained Milner.
1️⃣ The big picture: Cornell University researchers have developed an innovative carbon capture system that harnesses sunlight to remove carbon dioxide from the air, similar to how plants naturally function. This breakthrough addresses a major problem with current carbon capture methods, which ironically rely on fossil fuel energy. The new approach uses an affordable chemical called 2-methylbenzophenone that absorbs carbon dioxide under visible sunlight through a plant-like process. The system has already proven effective in real-world tests with actual flue gas from a power facility, showing it can work in industrial conditions with common contaminants present.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This technology marks a critical shift away from fossil-dependent carbon capture toward truly sustainable methods powered by free, abundant sunlight. The system captures carbon under stable conditions without requiring energy-intensive temperature changes that plague traditional approaches. The core chemical component is inexpensive and readily available, making large-scale implementation more economically viable. Beyond industrial emissions, this technology could eventually extract carbon directly from ambient air using solar panels placed in remote locations. The approach also opens possibilities for reducing the 15% of global energy currently used for gas separation processes.
3️⃣ What’s next: Researchers plan to optimize various benzophenone derivatives to enhance the efficiency and solar compatibility of their method. The team aims to develop the technology for direct air capture applications, potentially deploying solar-powered panels globally. Future developments could include on-site systems that convert captured CO2 into usable products or prepare it for permanent storage.
Read the full story here: The Brighter Side News – Breakthrough sunlight-powered system captures carbon just like plants
