Environmental Sustainability

Our mission is to develop and promote open source cutting-edge generative AI technologies for environmental sustainability.

Generative AI for Consortium

Sustainable Technology

Fields of Focus

• CO2 Capture
• Hydrogen Storage
• Agrochemistry
• Base Oils & Lubricants

Goals

• AI model benchmarking
• Data Sharing
• Knowledge exchange

What is CO2 Capture

CO2 capture is a collection of technologies that can minimize CO2 emission generated from manmade sources such as burning fossil fuels before it is released to the atmosphere. Scientists are also considering direct air capture (DAC) where CO2 can be removed from the air using a series of chemical or physical processes.

Fossil fuel-related carbon emission, especially in power plants, takes the main part in overall CO2 emission, and thus two key carbon capture technologies (pre-combustion and post-combustion) are being developed. In addition, various sectors of the economy such as agriculture and chemical industry release CO2 into the air significantly, and thus CO2 capture technologies tailored for these areas are also needed.

Why is CO2 Capture important

• Human activities release more CO2 into the air than the natural processes can remove.

• The global average CO2 concentration in the air reaches 419.3 parts per million, that is 50% higher than it was before the industrial revolution.

• CO2 is earth’s most important greenhouse gas that absorbs and radiates heat. Adding more CO2 to the air causes global temperature to rise.

• Earth’s average surface temperature in 2023 was 1.36 degrees Celsius warmer since recordkeeping began in 1880. Science evidence shows that human activity is the main cause of CO2 concentration increase and the current climate change.

• World leaders and policymakers are increasingly mandating the incorporation of carbon capture technologies into various processes.

Technologies to Capture CO2

• Amine Scrubbing: Amine scrubbing allows CO2 to be dissolved in amine solutions after the acid-base reaction between the CO2 and the amine. Scientists are designing new amines that require less energy for the solvent regeneration.

• Adsorption using MOFs and COFs: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are porous crystalline materials with a high CO2 adsorption capacity at relatively low pressure.

• Hybrid Materials: Scientists are exploring new electrochemistry, membrane technology, and biochemistry to capture CO2 from flue gas or directly from the air.

Future Directions

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the process of materials research and development.

• Find the best building units, interaction groups, and structure topology of frameworks for CO2 Capture.
• Design synthetic routes of the new material.
• Evaluate the material performance based on various parameters.
• Manage the whole research scheme.
• Develop hybrid materials that combine high working capacity and economic advantages.
• Implement new chemical engineering designs for diverse applications.

What is H2 storage and why it is important

Hydrogen is an ideal clean energy source because its sole product after combustion is H2O and no greenhouse gases or environmentally harmful compounds are released. H2 is particularly interesting for automotive applications because it is a zero-emission fuel and, when liquefied, has triple the energy density of gasoline.

Technologies to store H2

• Cryogenic Storage: H2 can be liquefied at low temperature and high pressure. Liquid hydrogen has been used by NASA.

• Chemical Storage Materials: These can form chemical bonds with hydrogen, allowing H2 to be stored chemically. However, the process suffers slow kinetics and possible contaminations.

• Physical Storage Materials: These absorb hydrogen at relatively low pressures and non-extreme temperatures.

Future Directions

The US Department of Energy (DOE) 2025 targets for hydrogen storage systems are a gravimetric uptake of 0.055 kg(H2) kg−1 and a volumetric capacity of 0.04 kg(H2) L−1.

What is Agrochemistry

Agrochemistry is a branch of chemistry focusing on the study and application of chemical processes and products in agriculture. It optimizes crop production and protects plants from pests.

Why is Agrochemistry important

• Enhances agricultural productivity and sustainability through fertilizers and protective chemicals.
• Promotes environmental protection and sustainable agriculture through eco-friendly chemicals.

Technologies to enhance Agrochemistry

• Weed Control and Plant Growth Regulators Improvement: Herbicides improve crop yields and reduce labor costs.
• Pesticides Development: Essential for crop protection and productivity.
• Fertilizers Enhancement: Maximize agricultural output and promote sustainability.

Future Directions

Artificial intelligence can revolutionize the design and development of agrochemicals.

What are Lubricants

Lubricants minimize friction and wear between surfaces in mutual contact, enhancing performance and extending the lifespan of machinery.

Why are New Lubricants Important

• New lubricants improve efficiency, extend machinery lifespan, and meet environmental regulations.

Types of Lubricants

• Liquid: Common oils used in engines and machinery.
• Greases: Semi-solid lubricants used in situations requiring thicker layers.
• Solid Lubricants: Materials like graphite used in extreme conditions.

Future Directions

AI enhances materials research, developing lubricants that meet performance criteria while abiding by environmental standards.