Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a solar-powered flow reactor that actively captures CO₂ from the air at night using specialized filters. These filters function like sponges, soaking up carbon dioxide as it passes through the system.
During the day, sunlight powers the reactor to convert the trapped CO₂ into syngas—a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The system uses infrared and ultraviolet radiation to initiate this chemical reaction. A built-in mirror concentrates the sunlight, boosting the reactor’s efficiency.
Applications and Benefits
The reactor produces syngas, which researchers can then convert into liquid fuels suitable for vehicles and aircraft. It also serves as a raw material for making pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals. Thanks to its self-contained design, the device enables off-grid communities to create their own fuel, reducing reliance on centralized energy systems.
Unlike conventional carbon capture and storage methods that often require extensive infrastructure, this reactor operates independently using only sunlight—cutting the need for fossil energy inputs and minimizing the overall carbon footprint.
Future Prospects
Professor Erwin Reisner and his team are scaling up the technology to support larger-scale production of liquid fuels. They envision a future where households and communities use these devices to generate their own clean energy, closing the loop between carbon emissions and sustainable fuel use.
