Topic: Environment

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new way to capture carbon dioxide from the air using waste products from dairy and tofu manufacturing. This method is more efficient than current technologies and can be reused multiple times.

The world needs innovative solutions to remove and store hundreds of billions of tons of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere. One approach gaining attention is direct air capture (DAC), which removes CO2 directly from the air. ETH Zurich spin-off Climeworks was among the first to bring this technology to market, but capturing carbon remains expensive and requires large amounts of energy.

Researchers at ETH Zurich have now developed a new carbon capture material made from waste products from dairy and tofu manufacturing. They extracted proteins from this waste stream and assembled them into long thread-like structures known as amyloid fibrils. These fibrils were then combined with potassium hydroxide and formed into porous beads measuring about half a centimeter to one centimeter in diameter.

When exposed to air, the potassium hydroxide inside the beads reacts with CO2, producing hydrogen carbonate, a salt of carbonic acid. This reaction effectively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The researchers found that their material can absorb large quantities of CO2 via the potassium hydroxide and that its performance exceeds existing methods.

The team developed a different approach to release the captured CO2. They alternately spray the protein beads with a mild acid and a mild base for roughly 10 minutes at room temperature, breaking the chemical bonds holding the CO2, allowing it to be collected. This process is reusable, making it more sustainable than traditional DAC systems.

The synthetic materials used in current DAC technologies decompose quickly, but these protein beads remain stable for a long time and can be reused multiple times.

Why It Matters

This innovation has the potential to help India meet its climate goals by reducing carbon emissions. It also highlights the importance of upcycling waste products into valuable resources, which is in line with India's focus on a circular economy.

Key Facts

• Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new way to capture carbon dioxide from the air using waste products from dairy and tofu manufacturing.
• The material can absorb large quantities of CO2 via the potassium hydroxide and its performance exceeds existing methods.
• The process is reusable, making it more sustainable than traditional DAC systems.
• The protein beads remain stable for a long time and can be reused multiple times.

Key Terms

Direct Air Capture

A technology that removes carbon dioxide directly from the air.

Implications

This innovation has the potential to help India meet its climate goals by reducing carbon emissions. It also highlights the importance of upcycling waste products into valuable resources, which is in line with India's focus on a circular economy.