In a monumental stride for climate technology, researchers at Columbia University have developed advanced “artificial trees” capable of absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere at a rate up to 1,000 times faster than natural trees. This groundbreaking innovation offers a powerful new tool in the urgent global fight against climate change.
Led by Professor Klaus Lackner, a pioneer in direct air capture (DAC) technologies, the Columbia University team has engineered compact, tower-like devices that utilize a special resin-coated sorbent. This material passively absorbs CO2 from ambient air without the need for large fans or significant energy input. When the resin is moistened, it releases the concentrated CO2, allowing it to be collected for sequestration or beneficial reuse, and the sorbent material can be used again.
“Each of these units has the potential to capture about one metric ton of CO2 daily, which is roughly equivalent to the emissions of 20 to 75 cars,” explained a spokesperson for the research team. “Unlike living trees, these artificial trees operate continuously, day and night, regardless of weather conditions or access to sunlight, making them incredibly efficient for continuous carbon removal.”
While natural trees are vital for ecosystem health and long-term carbon storage, their growth rate and land requirements limit their immediate impact on rapidly rising atmospheric CO2 levels. Columbia’s artificial trees offer a complementary solution, providing a scalable and geographically flexible method for rapidly drawing down carbon.
Initial cost estimates for CO2 capture using this technology hover around $200 per ton, but projections indicate that with further advancements and mass production, costs could significantly decrease to as low as $30 to $100 per ton. The captured CO2 can then be permanently stored underground in geological formations or utilized in various industries, such as enhancing concrete, boosting greenhouse plant growth, or even creating synthetic fuels.
This development forms a crucial part of the burgeoning Direct Air Capture (DAC) industry, which is gaining increasing attention as a necessary component of climate mitigation strategies. While the deployment of these “trees” on a global scale would require substantial investment and infrastructure, Columbia University’s innovation marks a significant step towards creating effective, engineered solutions to address the climate crisis. It showcases how advanced materials science and chemical engineering can create novel pathways to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
