Like CNRS, Inserm, Inrae and Inria – CEA’s Fundamental Research Division is coordinating in collaboration with all its academic partners a “High Risk Research” program, funded with 40 M€ by France 2030 for 2024. Called “Audace!”, its aim is to explore new research directions and imagine breakthrough innovations for tomorrow.
The LCMCE team at IRAMIS/NIMBE is co-coordinating the “Air Capture” project with Vincent Artero’s team at DRF/IRIG in Grenoble.
AIR CAPTURE : CO2 recycling
Aim of the project : To convert a gas (CO2) that is both inert and extremely diluted in the atmosphere, and mixed with highly reactive gases such as oxygen, to produce the carbonaceous molecules our economy needs.
THE IDEA
Draw inspiration from living organisms to capture and convert atmospheric CO2 into carbon-based fuels and chemicals, in order to offer an effective and economically viable solution for reducing this greenhouse gas in the air by recycling it and thus avoiding the use of fossil hydrocarbons.
THE CHALLENGE
Convert a gas (CO2) which is both inert and extremely diluted in the atmosphere, and which is also mixed with highly reactive gases such as oxygen, to produce the carbonaceous molecules our economy needs.
The project
Draw inspiration from the metabolism of plants and certain bacteria to develop molecular systems for the capture and conversion of atmospheric CO2, then test them under real-life conditions using a dedicated test bench. The aim is to prove the concept of an integrated, efficient and sustainable system for capturing and converting CO2.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
Laying the basis for a technology contributing to carbon neutrality and making it possible to produce the fuels needed in a post-fossil fuel society.
Video launch of the “Air Capture” project
from CEA/DRF’s “Audace!” venture research program.