Negative Emissions Technologies and Science

Direct Air Capture

Direct air capture (DAC) refers to extracting carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from the atmosphere, which can later be either permanently stored or utilized by downstream applications. Our direct air capture projects include the co-development of novel DAC materials and systems to meet the100 $/tonne CO₂ capture target. We perform market analysis of waste heat availability for powering DAC, as well as performing techno-economic and engineering analyses of integrating DAC into industry and energy infrastructure.

• Market analysis of waste heat availability for powering direct air capture (DAC)
• Techno-economic analysis (TEA) and engineering analysis of integrating DAC into industry and energy infrastructure
• Co-development of novel materials and systems for DAC that can meeting $100/ton CO₂

Biological CCUS

Biological CCUS is a promising carbon removal technique as it uses biomass to capture CO₂ or combine biomass growth and treatment with CO₂ removal. The CO₂ is then further transformed to permanent storage. Ideally it can eliminate or diminish the use of fossil energy, which increases its chance to become carbon negative. We use TEA and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for developing net negative bioenergy technologies, applying biochar to marginal lands, and capturing CO₂ at ethanol facilities. 

• TEA and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of developing net negative bioenergy technologies
• LCA of applying biochar to marginal lands
• TEA and LCA of capturing CO₂ at ethanol facilities

Carbon Dioxide Utilization

After removing CO₂ from the atmosphere or processes, one important question is how to deal with the captured CO₂. Here, we use TEA and engineering models to assess the prospects of turning CO2 and biomethane into useful products using electrochemical pathways. We also co-develop novel materials and systems for bulk transportation of CO₂ to different utilization facilities. 

• TEA and engineering modeling of electrochemical pathways for converting CO₂ and biomethane into products
• Co-development of novel materials and systems for bulk CO₂ transportation

Carbon dioxide sequestration

Besides utilization, sequestration of CO₂ is considered essential to essential decarbonization as it provides a relatively permanent storage option for large quantity of carbon. Here, we provide TEA and roadmapping suggestion of using enhanced weathering of natural materials and industrial wastes to permanently sequestrate CO₂. We also evaluate the impacts of geological CO₂ sequestration, and provide TEA and engineering analysis for transforming CO₂ into solid carbon for sequestration. 

• Roadmapping and TEA of the enhanced weathering of natural materials and industrial wastes for permanent CO₂ sequestration
• Evaluation of impacts of geological CO₂ sequestration
• TEA and engineering analysis of transforming CO₂ into solid carbon

Team Members