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Scientists Turn CO2 'Back Into Coal' In Breakthrough Experiment (independent.co.uk)
"Scientists have managed to turn CO2 from a gas back into solid 'coal'," reports The Independent, "in a breakthrough which could potentially help remove the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere."
Long-time Slashdot reader bbsguru shared their report:
The research team led by RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, developed a new technique using a liquid metal electrolysis method which efficiently converts CO2 from a gas into solid particles of carbon. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the authors say their technology offers an alternative pathway for "safely and permanently" removing CO2 from the atmosphere....
RMIT researcher Dr Torben Daeneke said: "While we can't literally turn back time, turning carbon dioxide back into coal and burying it back in the ground is a bit like rewinding the emissions clock...." Lead author, Dr Dorna Esrafilzadeh said the carbon produced by the technique could also be used as an electrode.
"A side benefit of the process is that the carbon can hold electrical charge, becoming a supercapacitor, so it could potentially be used as a component in future vehicles," she said. "The process also produces synthetic fuel as a by-product, which could also have industrial applications."
More coverage from Fast Company, Science magazine, and the CBC.
RMIT researcher Dr Torben Daeneke said: "While we can't literally turn back time, turning carbon dioxide back into coal and burying it back in the ground is a bit like rewinding the emissions clock...." Lead author, Dr Dorna Esrafilzadeh said the carbon produced by the technique could also be used as an electrode.
"A side benefit of the process is that the carbon can hold electrical charge, becoming a supercapacitor, so it could potentially be used as a component in future vehicles," she said. "The process also produces synthetic fuel as a by-product, which could also have industrial applications."
More coverage from Fast Company, Science magazine, and the CBC.
I wonder if it needs energy to do this
Of course. But that problem has been solved
Have gnu, will travel.
If I could turn back coal
If I could find a way
I'd take back the gas that hurt you
And you'd stay
If I could reach the stars
I'd give them CO2
"Mr President, what we have here is a great new coal-based technology. Not only does it involve coal, it actually creates coal in the process. Now, the sooner you sign the bill, the sooner we can start building coal manufacturing plants. Yeah, you heard me. COAL MANUFACTURING PLANTS. How awesome is that? Other presidents settled for mining it, but you will be the president that made coal production a reality."
Sure you can, it's called a bridge