Dr. Melis Duyar, Senior Lecturer of Chemical Engineering at the University of Surrey commented: “Capturing CO2 from the surrounding air and directly converting it into useful products is exactly what we need to approach carbon neutrality in the chemicals sector.This could very well be a milestone in the steps needed for the UK to reach its 2050 net-zero goals.With this technology, we can supply chemicals with a much lower carbon footprint and look at replacing fossil fuels with carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen as the building blocks of other important chemicals.”The technology uses patent-pending switchable Dual Function Materials (DFMs), that capture carbon dioxide on their surface and catalyze the conversion of captured CO2 directly into chemicals.Dr. Duyar continued: “These outcomes are a testament to the research excellence at Surrey, with continuously improving facilities, internal funding schemes, and a collaborative culture.”Loukia-Pantzechroula Merkouri, a postgraduate student leading this research at the University of Surrey added: “Not only does this research demonstrate a viable solution to the production of carbon neutral fuels and chemicals, but it also offers an innovative approach to combat the ever-increasing CO2 emissions contributing to global warming.”Reference: “Feasibility of switchable dual function materials as a flexible technology for CO2 capture and utilisation and evidence of passive direct air capture” by Loukia-Pantzechroula Merkouri, Tomas Ramirez Reina and Melis S. Duyar, 11 August 2022, Nanoscale.If this is a possible working way to catch CO2 and put it into something sustainable & solid that won’t disintegrate again, we could all join in the project & make it work !"