Berkeley Breakthrough in Carbon Capture Could Revolutionize the Industry

Posted

A breakthrough in carbon capture technology from UC Berkeley researchers aims to transform the direct air capture (DAC) market, offering a more efficient and cost-effective solution to achieve negative emissions goals.

New Material Outperforms Traditional Carbon Capture Methods

The innovation centers on a new porous material called COF-999, a covalent organic framework that sets new standards in capturing carbon dioxide from ambient air. Unlike conventional methods that target concentrated carbon sources, COF-999 can process ambient air containing CO2 at 426 parts per million, significantly improving the potential for direct air capture.

From a commercial perspective, the material's performance is particularly striking. Just 200 grams of COF-999 can capture 20 kilograms of CO2 annually, matching the carbon absorption of a fully grown tree. This high efficiency, along with its ability to function at room temperature and moderate humidity, could make COF-999 a game-changer for current carbon reduction strategies.

Professor of Chemistry at UC Berkeley, Omar Yaghi, and senior author of the paper published in Nature,  said,  "We took a powder of this material, put it in a tube, and we passed Berkeley air — just outdoor air — into the material to see how it would perform, and it was beautiful. It cleaned the air entirely of CO2. Everything. I am excited about it because there’s nothing like it out there in terms of performance. It breaks new ground in our efforts to address the climate problem."

Commercial Viability and Market Implementation of COF-999

COF-999 boasts exceptional durability, remaining effective through 100 cycles without degradation—making it highly attractive for commercial carbon capture applications. Additionally, the regeneration process only requires heating to 60°C, significantly lower than traditional methods, which could lead to substantial operational cost savings for businesses adopting the technology.

The material is compatible with existing carbon capture infrastructure, making it easy for companies to integrate without overhauling their current systems. This means businesses already using or piloting carbon capture technology can potentially upgrade their operations for improved performance without the need for major investments in new equipment.

Professor Yaghi is already moving toward commercialization through his startup, Atoco Inc., signaling that this technology is ready for market adoption. As businesses face increasing pressure to meet negative emissions targets while controlling costs, COF-999's introduction could be a timely and highly beneficial advancement. 

Environment + Energy Leader