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Explore the impact of global climate change and the role of materials science in addressing the challenges of climate action and energy production. Learn about strategies to generate less CO2, use less energy, and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Discover the potential of biofuels, hydrogen production, superconductors, artificial photosynthesis, and deep CO2 sequestration. Join the conversation on advancing materials science and nanoscience for a sustainable future.
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From Nano to Global: Materials Approaches to Climate and Energy Transatlantic Science Week 2007: CLIMATE ACTION October 22, 2007 – Carnegie Institution Robert Hazen, Geophysical Laboratory
Pittsburgh, a Century Ago Increased reliance on inexpensive fossil fuels led to dramatic atmospheric effects. Pittsburgh, ca.1900
Pittsburgh, a Century Ago Andrew Carnegie’s steel empire contributed.
Pittsburgh, c. 1940 “The dirtiest and ugliest city in America.”
Pittsburgh The problem has been alleviated by implementing solutions from materials science. Scrubbers
The Problem Today Kavli Futures Symposium “Merging bio and nano: towards cyborg cells” 11-15 June 2007, Ilulissat, Greenland
Greenland Global climate change, triggered in part by anthropogenic CO2 , is causing rapid and dramatic changes to the ice fields. 2007 set a new melt record. Retreat of the Jacobshaven glacier.
Greenland Global climate change is also causing rapid and dramatic changes to species’ habitats and distributions.
Three Strategies 1. Generate less CO2. 2. Use less energy. 3. Remove CO2.
1st Strategy: Generate Less CO2 Biofuels Hydrogen Production and Storage
Biofuels Employ new genetically engineered crops, such as switch grass (carbon neutral or negative).
Biofuels Develop new enzymes to convert cellulose to fuel.
Hydrogen Production and Storage Hydrogen generation by photo-dissociation of water. Hydrogen storage in clathrates.
Water Dissociation Passive process mimics plants: 2H2O + photons O2 + 2H2 Martin Demuth, Max Planck Inst.
Hydrogen Storage in Clathrates Methane Hydrate Clathrate
Hydrogen Storage in Clathrates H2(H2O)2
1st Strategy: Generate Less CO2 We need fundamental advances in materials science and technology. Chris Somerville, Carnegie, Plant Biology Dave & Wendy Mao, Carnegie, Geophysical Lab
2nd Strategy: Use Less Energy Superconductors High-Temperature Cuprates
Superconductors Efficient magnet and motor technologies.
Superconductors Efficient energy transmission and storage: Nanocomposites for high Tc Bi superconductor multi-filament tapes and wires.
2nd Strategy: Use Less Energy We need fundamental advances in materials science and technology. Asle Sudbø, Norwegian Univ. for Science & Technology Viktor Struzhkin, Carnegie Inst., Geophysical Lab
3rd Strategy: Remove CO2 Artificial Photosynthesis Deep CO2 Sequestration
Artificial Photosynthesis Passive process mimics plants: 6CO2+ 6H2O + photons C6H12O6 + 6O2
Artificial Photosynthesis Use supercritical CO2 (> 73 atm and 31ºC), plus Rh catalyst, plus sunlight. Etsuko Fujita, Brookhaven
Deep CO2 Sequestration 2.4 tons of CO2 from every ton of coal: The world emits 26 gigatons of CO2 per year.
Deep CO2 Sequestration Supercritical CO2 can be injected into old wells , where it rises to the capstone and slowly forms carbonate minerals. Current capacity = 104 gigatons CO2
Deep CO2 Sequestration Statoil platform
The Deep Carbon Cycle We need fundamental advances in understanding Earth’s deep carbon cycle: • What are carbon sources & sinks? • What are carbon’s mass transport • mechanisms? • Is there a deep source of organics? • Did deep carbon play a role in life’s • origins?
CONCLUSIONS Materials science and nanoscience have the potential to contribute to many outstanding global problems related to energy and environment. More fundamental research needs to be done, especially on carbon-bearing systems at extreme conditions.
