In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists in Switzerland have created a "living" material capable of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
This innovative material, developed by researchers at ETH Zurich, mimics the natural process of photosynthesis, converting CO2 into solid carbonates.
The material has shown remarkable efficiency in laboratory conditions, absorbing significant amounts of CO2 over extended periods. This could revolutionize carbon capture and storage, offering a sustainable solution for climate change.
The potential applications are vast, including the creation of self-healing materials and the direct removal of CO2 from the air for use in construction.
The team envisions using this material to create facades that absorb CO2, offering a promising step towards a greener future. The material is based on a tri-mesoporous hydrogel with high water content and a stable structure.
Dr. Yifan Cui, a co-author of the study, stated, "These carbonates are one of the most stable forms of carbon on Earth. They are very effective in photosynthesis and can use weak light to produce biomass from CO2 and water."
This discovery opens new avenues for sustainable construction and combating climate change by directly removing CO2 from the atmosphere.