Artificial CO2-Capturing Leaves

The challenge is enormous

Engineers from the University of Illinois Chicago built a revolutionary and cost-effective artificial leaf designed to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Unlike other carbon-capturing systems, this artificial leaf is 100 times more efficient. The engineers modified a standard artificial leaf system with inexpensive materials to create the carbon-capturing device.

The leaf is capable of capturing carbon in the real world outside of simulated carbon-filled labs. It can capture CO2 from diluted sources like the air. Once captured, the system releases the carbon dioxide for use as fuel or other carbon-based materials. Outside the lab, the artificial leaf system has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gases. In addition, it's worth noting that the system operates on moderate energy consumption compared to some lab-based systems.

Image Credit: University of Illinois Chicago