Researchers at the University of Houston have unveiled two major breakthroughs that could make carbon capture more affordable and energy efficient. In the first, they eliminated the costly ion-exchange membrane from electrochemical amine regeneration, replacing it with engineered gas diffusion electrodes. This innovation boosted CO₂ removal rates above 90% while cutting capture costs to about $70 per metric ton, making it competitive with leading methods. The second advance introduced a vanadium redox flow battery that not only stores renewable energy but also absorbs and releases CO₂ during charge and discharge cycles. This dual-function design offers strong cycle stability and positions the system as both a carbon removal tool and a grid-balancing solution. Together, these developments highlight new pathways to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries, reduce global emissions, and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
