๐ Patent of the Week: Carbon capture that's cheaper than coal
Revolutionizing carbon capture with a cost-effective solution
This weekly patent is a bit different than the usual, I came across a post by Ramesh Gopalan, the inventor of this new technology, on the MCJ Slack and thought Iโd feature it for any founders interested in this space.
๐ง What's the Big Idea?
Carbon capture is the topic du jour in climate circles. Before we dive in, letโs take a minute to go over the high level basics. I think, I hope, itโs fairly common knowledge now that carbon in the air is a major driver for climate change. As a species, weโve been on a carbon-fueled runaway train for the last ~ 100 years and just keep beating old records. In 2023, we still managed to emit more carbon and are on track to hit 40 billion tons of annual carbon emitted soon. This is not good if you like your planets temperate and habitable.
Besides the urgent need for us to cut our carbon emissions, weโve already put so much carbon in the air that cutting emissions just wonโt..well..cut it anymore. We desperately need to also think of ways to store carbon before (and after) it gets emitted. This is where Rameshโs technology comes in.
Ramesh and his team have developed a super-absorbent polymer that demonstrates rapid CO2 uptake and low regeneration heat requirements, using only low-cost, environmentally friendly materials. In a nutshell, this means that this tech can capture and release carbon efficiently and is highly reusable. On top of that, itโs cheap to make which is not common in the carbon capture space.
๐ Why It Matters
This innovation can be used for point-source carbon capture (at less than $30 per ton of CO2) and Direct Air Capture (DAC) (at less than $100 per ton of CO2). This means it can be used to prevent carbon from being released to begin with at say factories and other emitting facilities as well as be used to capture carbon from the air. Initially targeting semi-trucks and container ships, the technology aims to supply CO2 for industrial uses, including synthetic fuels, at far lower prices than current methods. Starting with these sectors makes a lot of sense, considering transportation amounts for ~ 16.2% of global CO2 emissions.
๐ฉโ๐ฌ Stage of Development
Currently at TRL 3 (Technology Readiness Level), which means a proof of concept. The startup is in the seed stage of funding and is actively looking to build out its team, seeking co-founders and investors who are passionate about making a tangible impact in the fight against climate change. Curious what TRL means? Let me know your questions in the comments below, Iโm writing a piece about it.
๐ค Get Involved
If you're intrigued by the potential of making carbon capture more efficient and cost-effective, or if you're interested in joining a pioneering team on the front lines of climate tech innovation, Ramesh Gopalan is on the lookout for potential co-founders and partners. Dive into the future of carbon capture and be a part of a journey towards a sustainable planet.
For more information, check out Ramesh's presentation on their novel carbon capture technology, and consider reaching out via LinkedIn to explore collaboration opportunities.
๐ย The Details
Inventors: Ramesh Gopalan
๐จ About the artist
Hannes Bok, a pseudonym for Wayne Woodard, an American artist known for fantasy and sci-fi illustrations.