Queensland researchers build device that creates electricity by consuming CO2

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses a new carbon-negative "nano-generator" developed by researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) that consumes carbon dioxide and generates electricity. The device pairs a poly amine gel used to absorb CO2 with a thin "skeleton" of boron nitrate, and it has the potential to be a key component in a new form of industrial carbon capture.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Queensland researchers create device that consumes carbon dioxide and generates electricity

1. What is the carbon-negative "nano-generator" developed by researchers at the University of Queensland?

• The nano-generator is an electrical generator that consumes carbon dioxide and generates electricity.
• It pairs a poly amine gel used to absorb CO2 with a thin "skeleton" of boron nitrate that's only a few atoms thick.
• The prototype device generates electricity as it absorbs CO2.

2. What are the potential applications of this technology?

• The researchers envision two potential uses:
  • Integrating the technology into commercial CO2 absorption plants to generate electricity and offset costs.
  • Developing a small, portable domestic unit that can consume CO2 from the immediate environment and create enough electricity to power small devices or light bulbs.

3. What are the current limitations of the technology?

• The researchers can currently harvest around 1% of the total energy carried by the gas CO2, and more research is needed to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of the chemical process.

[02] Existing carbon capture methods are costly and inefficient

1. What are the current methods of carbon capture and storage (CCS)?

• CCS involves capturing CO2 at the site of production and then burying it deep underground where it becomes trapped in a porous rock layer.

2. How effective are current CCS projects?

• The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis found that the majority of CCS projects around the world were not performing as well as expected.
• For Australian CCS projects from 2016-17 to 2022-23, the amount of emissions injected was only 42% of their carbon capture targets.
• CCS has been around for decades but is costly, and there are only about 30 active projects in the world, with numerous projects cancelled or failed.