Carbonate Regeneration Using a Membrane Electrochemical Cell for Efficient CO Capture.

The use of atmospheric CO as a chemical feedstock is a promising way to decarbonize the chemical and transportation sectors, which currently rely heavily on fossil fuels. This transition demands new technologies to reduce the energy required to capture and separate CO. Here, we develop and demonstrate an alternative method of carbonate solution regeneration using an anion exchange membrane electrochemical cell.

Drop-in fuels from sunlight and air.

Aviation and shipping currently contribute approximately 8% of total anthropogenic CO emissions, with growth in tourism and global trade projected to increase this contribution further. Carbon-neutral transportation is feasible with electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries, but is challenging, if not impossible, for long-haul commercial travel, particularly air travel. A promising solution are drop-in fuels (synthetic alternatives for petroleum-derived liquid hydrocarbon fuels such as kerosene, gasoline or diesel) made from HO and CO by solar-driven processes.