A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has developed a solar reactor that captures carbon dioxide from the air and converts it into fuel without the need for external energy sources. This technological advance represents a viable alternative to fossil fuels and could contribute to the fight against climate change.
How does the solar reactor work?
The system developed by the British scientists uses specialised filters that absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere at night . When daylight comes, sunlight heats the captured gas and activates a semiconductor powder that triggers a chemical reaction to convert the CO₂ into syngas, a compound used in the manufacture of fuels, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
A concentrating mirror improves the efficiency of the process by increasing exposure to solar radiation . Unlike other carbon capture technologies, this device does not require storage or transportation of the captured CO₂, making it more scalable and applicable in diverse locations. The results of the study have been published in the journal Nature Energy .
Current carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions often rely on expensive infrastructure and raise concerns about the safety of storing CO₂ underground. Furthermore, CCS does not completely eliminate dependence on fossil fuels. Instead, the Cambridge solar reactor offers a circular process: it captures CO₂ directly from the air and reuses it as an energy source.
CCS is also a non-circular process, as pressurized CO2 is stored, at best, underground indefinitely, where it is of no use to anyone.
explained Professor Erwin Reisner, project leader.
Future applications
The Cambridge team is currently working on converting syngas into liquid fuels for vehicles and aircraft . In the future, this type of technology could enable decentralised fuel generation, making it easier to produce fuel in remote areas or off the grid .
The chemical and pharmaceutical sectors could also benefit from this development, using syngas to manufacture products without contributing to global warming. With the right support and investment in research, these solar reactors could be integrated into various industries, helping to reduce the global carbon footprint.
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Source and photo: University of Cambridge
