Scientists Unveil Game-Changing Solar Reactor that Transforms Carbon Dioxide and Plastic into Clean Energy and Valuable Chemicals

Cambridge University scientists have created a solar-powered reactor that converts captured carbon dioxide and plastic waste into sustainable fuel and valuable chemicals.

[{"selector":"#anim-9e6befeb-30e2-4cb6-b730-43227b5968d2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1a163f0-c1f7-43f9-a0f8-c968cacc29fc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-264c3638-1d75-4e8f-b0e4-22b9a1c0b965","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3016cefa-662e-45a2-bc1e-d7d76a56cbbf","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-680284c9-77c2-489c-84af-18576f416f03 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-6.909451681806875%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source- GOOGLE

The reactor's main output is syngas, a combustible fuel directly usable as an energy source.

[{"selector":"#anim-4e0d48e8-2272-4fb7-ba30-022a8a449de9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.21413925647123%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5631511c-aff0-418e-a121-40935b1152ae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9f677904-6679-4204-aeaf-9f38dc169d4f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c1687cc-b118-40f9-8cdd-332027c5f836","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3975e953-25b1-49ce-ad43-6603e38672bf","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Photo Source- GOOGLE

The device combines carbon dioxide capture, plastic waste conversion, and solar fuel technologies.

[{"selector":"#anim-f26e9609-26e6-4b17-9f92-434009408843 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.932889218356852%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-037acb08-b3b9-47dd-b5da-fb7297787363","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a33f8bf7-dbf8-4010-8af2-ea5ab1176f69","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-40fb31b6-82bd-4c93-9b9f-295b4d04d9ec","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a0f4946-083f-4f03-b56c-f7339fdd280a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Photo Source- GOOGLE

The technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by capturing them from industries and converting them into fuel using sunlight and plastic waste.

[{"selector":"#anim-34894b4a-9098-44e6-bc23-bf8d9e2933ad [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.21413925647123%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7f0eb9a3-d6d1-4c92-be14-15b91c7afa28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fdc3b9c5-fcaa-45b0-b443-74286d135d09","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da5ad4e6-92dd-4d72-b010-85cb042111a0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a2c35a9c-0e03-460c-a34a-b2a5a8e6926e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Photo Source- GOOGLE

The device operates in a circular manner, capturing CO2, producing fuel, and reforming CO2, eliminating the need for new fossil fuels.

[{"selector":"#anim-dfa0ff3f-1099-4a9e-a8f9-e3378266a640 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-16.284451738694003%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01e1e82c-3bc6-4652-bdaa-c9839560093b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2239f81e-f10b-495e-ac56-aef9ee45baf7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-513e406d-212f-439d-bf3e-f14ab2524c96","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-52362314-6672-4659-8e7a-c9c46774a525","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Photo Source- GOOGLE

The technology highlights the utilization of captured CO2 rather than its permanent burial, reducing long-term environmental consequences.

[{"selector":"#anim-30ddaaae-af19-4a7b-86a8-ad31548bdc1f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-18.335233001138064%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c47c60c-d9bd-437f-b01e-56337ca34434","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bc932d4a-0f55-451a-bfa2-c8800cac7ccd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b15e7e87-fbec-4e75-98e8-3687ce4ea0e3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e351c7f-0fdf-4b6c-89fa-2e4b66eba7df","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Photo Source- GOOGLE

The research involves real-world sources of carbon dioxide, including industrial exhaust and normal air.

[{"selector":"#anim-cc3bb662-7961-4277-9d09-b1a6bbea1fc6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.21413925647123%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb102db0-758f-41f0-9c34-5a1f94456a43","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ecb3233e-9b98-4ef2-9f3d-8bd28941e29d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3718d3a6-e66e-4aa4-bddf-8549e17222d0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fd2f33b9-9556-43ae-b7be-ec2d4131d3e6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Photo Source- GOOGLE

The reactor functions like a battery, with one compartment capturing CO2 and the other converting plastic waste, facilitating the transfer of electrons.

[{"selector":"#anim-dd8dc617-44e2-48ca-bb65-dc2033e48bcd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-13.940701724472222%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fdbaebb1-e677-44db-a840-cdddd3687fb6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f7229d60-322b-4138-b7ee-7fae01e1db7d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f18448e5-6311-4073-a244-dd97ffbb8073","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5cb77474-ec1f-48c8-b17f-b6a91bc4a0a0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Photo Source- GOOGLE

Ongoing research focuses on enhancing efficiency, stability, and durability, optimizing carbon capture and light absorption processes for large-scale deployment.

[{"selector":"#anim-836635bd-81bb-43ce-8fa3-8e46c1981aaf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-6.909451681806875%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1992433e-06ec-4a58-ae63-e8f64c1c2694","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e165fdb3-19f7-442c-954b-11359b8f7358","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-36fd0bb6-fee2-4d36-a2fc-6975f8374417","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dbec179c-863f-4dec-887d-0e8cad7f0da7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Photo Source- GOOGLE