Researchers at the Sanford Underground Research Facility are using extremophile microbes to convert carbon dioxide from coal plant waste into calcium carbonate. This carbon mineralization process turns gaseous emissions into a stable solid rock, offering a permanent sequestration method that avoids the high cost of deep-well injection pipelines. The resulting material can be used to strengthen building infrastructure, potentially creating a circular economy for industrial waste. This patent-pending technology aims to reduce the financial and regulatory hurdles associated with traditional carbon capture and storage.
