With air pollution reaching alarming levels, scientists have long been searching for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Now, researchers from the University of Cambridge have achieved a major breakthrough—developing a solar-powered device that transforms atmospheric carbon dioxide into fuel.
This innovative device efficiently captures CO₂ from the air at night using a specialized filter. During the day, it harnesses sunlight to trigger a chemical reaction, converting the captured CO₂ into synthesis gas (syngas)—a versatile fuel that can power cars and airplanes. Moreover, syngas holds immense potential for applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Dr. Sayan Kar from Cambridge University emphasized the significance of this technology, stating, “Carbon dioxide is a major contributor to climate change, but this device turns it into a valuable resource.” Professor Erwin Reisner added, “Instead of extracting and burning fossil fuels, we can directly capture and repurpose CO₂ from the air, creating a sustainable, circular economy.”
Published in Nature Energy, the study highlights that this battery-free device, powered entirely by solar energy, could revolutionize carbon capture technology. With support from Cambridge Enterprise, scientists are now working to bring this game-changing innovation to the commercial market.
