Researchers Develop New Tool to Observe Direct Air Capture Chemistry

Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder have created a custom laboratory flow cell that allows them to directly observe how CO2 is absorbed by alkaline liquids in direct air capture systems. Previously, the gas-liquid interface was a black box, with researchers relying on indirect measurements of what entered and exited the system. By mapping the reaction kinetics in real time, the team can now better understand how variables like solvent type, pressure, and flow affect performance. This level of detail is critical for designing more efficient DAC plants and testing new solvents to lower the cost of atmospheric carbon removal.