A groundbreaking way to directly capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere is recently developed by researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC). Professor Joo-Youp Lee’s ingenious technology leads the team’s more efficient, more energy conscious approach to a problem that is one of the planet’s most pressing challenges.
Unlike conventional carbon capture methods that concentrate on capturing emissions right at their source, direct air capture (DAC) takes on the challenge of extracting CO₂ that’s already spread out in our atmosphere. With current levels reaching roughly 420 parts per million (ppm), this task is certainly not easy.
“The concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are so low,” he said. “It would be like trying to remove a handful of red ping-pong balls from a football stadium full of white ones.”
Power plants, transportation, and industrial activities contribute significantly to global CO₂ emissions. While emission reductions are critical, removing existing atmospheric CO₂ is increasingly recognised as to limiting climate impacts.
The UC team’s system employs a unique adsorbent-coated honeycomb like block wrapped in carbon fibre that is encased within a canister which has been designed to trap CO₂ as air is drawn through the device. This compact module, no larger than a pool noodle in its current bench-scale operates continuously, capturing CO₂ with low energy requirements. Gauges on the air intake and exit measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. When the readings on the outlet of the block begin to climb, Lee’s students know it’s time to heat the structure to remove the trapped carbon dioxide with a vacuum pump and begin the process again. Unlike conventional systems reliant on steam or electricity, UC’s approach uses hot water to desorb the captured CO₂, cutting energy demands by half.
This advancement addresses one of DAC’s biggest barriers; its energy-intensive nature, while demonstrating reliability across thousands of operational cycles without performance degradation. Professor Lee projects that with further refinement, the system could achieve 10,000 cycles, further boosting its economic feasibility.
The research team has operated a bigger prototype in a controlled environmental chamber which simulates actual conditions like humidity, temperature, and wind speed. These honeycomb blocks, shaped like loaves of bread, represented an important milestone in scaling the technology for industrial application.
The energy efficiency and robustness of the product make it a strong contender for its use in the industrial field which needs massive CO2 capture from the atmosphere and Lee’s team is already on it, developing industrial prototypes to satisfy the increasing need for climate change solutions.
With global energy demand expected to rise, carbon capture technologies like DAC could help offset emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors, providing a complementary approach to renewable energy adoption and emission reductions.
“This project shows real promise for helping the environment,”
said UC postdoctoral fellow Soumitra Payra.
“We’re excited to see how it can be scaled to create tangible climate solutions.”
Professor Lee envisions a future where this technology is widely adopted, using its efficiency and durability to make significant strides toward a carbon-neutral world. By utilising advanced materials and energy-efficient processes, the team has established a foundation for a scalable and impactful climate solution.
Although there are still hurdles to overcome in scaling direct air capture for industrial use, the work being done at the University of Cincinnati marks an important advancement. As countries and industries ramp up their efforts to tackle climate change, innovations like this could become essential components of global carbon management strategies.
