A team of scientists from the University of Cambridge has developed an innovative solar reactor that can transform carbon dioxide (CO2) into clean fuel.
This advancement represents a significant step in the fight against climate change, allowing energy production without depending on fossil fuels or generating new emissions.
How does the solar reactor work?
The solar reactor.
The device operates through a two-stage solar capture and conversion system:
-
CO2 Capture: at night, the reactor uses special filters that absorb carbon dioxide from the ambient air, acting as a chemical “sponge.”
-
Solar Conversion: during the day, solar light heats the system, triggering a chemical reaction that converts the captured COâ‚‚ into synthesis gas (syngas), a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which can be used as fuel or raw material for other products.
The process is driven completely by solar energy, using a semiconductor powder that absorbs ultraviolet radiation and a concentrator mirror to intensify light and enhance conversion efficiency.
The clean and self-sufficient alternative
Unlike other carbon capture and utilization technologies, this reactor does not require additional energy from fossil sources nor the need to transport or store CO2.
Its fully solar operation makes it a self-sufficient and sustainable solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The obtained synthesis gas can be used to produce a variety of fuels, such as:
-
Methanol, which could replace gasoline in cars.
-
Sustainable aviation fuels.
-
Chemical and pharmaceutical products needed in various industries.
Furthermore, the technology has the potential to be applied in remote or off-grid areas, generating clean energy locally and in a decentralized manner.
According to Sayan Kar, lead author of the study, the goal is to promote a circular economy of CO2.
Capturing carbon dioxide, turning it into fuel through solar energy, and allowing the cycle to continue when it is released back into the environment after use.
The team is already working on converting the syngas into liquid methanol, an easier alternative to store and transport.
How CO2 capture works.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies can account for up to 15% of the emissions reduction needed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070.
