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 direct air capture materials and systems to meet the100 $/ton CO₂ capture target. We perform market analysis of waste heat availability for powering direct air capture, 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. 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 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