Transatlantic Science Week 2007: CLIMATE ACTIONOctober 22, 2007 – Carnegie InstitutionRobert Hazen, Geophysical Laboratory
From Nano to Global:From Nano to Global:Materials Approaches Materials Approaches to Climate and Energy to Climate and Energy
Increased reliance on inexpensive fossil fuels led to dramatic atmospheric effects.
Pittsburgh, ca.1900
Pittsburgh, a Century AgoPittsburgh, a Century Ago
Pittsburgh, a Century AgoPittsburgh, a Century AgoPittsburgh, a Century AgoPittsburgh, a Century Ago Andrew Carnegie’s steel empire contributed.
Pittsburgh, c. 1940Pittsburgh, c. 1940Pittsburgh, c. 1940Pittsburgh, c. 1940“The dirtiest and ugliest city in America.”
PittsburghPittsburghPittsburghPittsburghThe problem has been alleviated by implementing
solutions from materials science.
Scrubbers
The Problem TodayThe Problem TodayThe Problem TodayThe Problem TodayKavli Futures Symposium
“Merging bio and nano: towards cyborg cells”11-15 June 2007, Ilulissat, Greenland
GreenlandGreenlandGreenlandGreenlandGlobal climate change, triggered in part by anthropogenic CO2 , is causing rapid and
dramatic changes to the ice fields.
2007 set a new melt record. Retreat of the Jacobshaven glacier.
GreenlandGreenlandGreenlandGreenlandGlobal climate change is also causing
rapid and dramatic changes to species’ habitats and distributions.
Three StrategiesThree StrategiesThree StrategiesThree Strategies
1. Generate less CO2.
2. Use less energy.
3. Remove CO2.
11stst Strategy: Generate Less CO Strategy: Generate Less CO2211stst Strategy: Generate Less CO Strategy: Generate Less CO22
Biofuels
Hydrogen Production and Storage
Employ new genetically engineered crops, such as switch grass (carbon
neutral or negative).
BiofuelsBiofuels
Develop new enzymes to convert cellulose to fuel.
BiofuelsBiofuels
Hydrogen generation by photo-dissociation of water.
Hydrogen storage in clathrates.
Hydrogen Production Hydrogen Production and Storageand Storage
Passive process mimics plants:
2H2O + photons O2 + 2H2
Water DissociationWater Dissociation
Martin Demuth,Max Planck Inst.
Hydrogen Storage Hydrogen Storage in Clathratesin Clathrates
Methane Hydrate Clathrate
Hydrogen Storage Hydrogen Storage in Clathratesin Clathrates
H2(H2O)2
11stst Strategy: Generate Less CO Strategy: Generate Less CO2211stst Strategy: Generate Less CO Strategy: Generate Less CO22
We need fundamental advances in materials science and technology.
Chris Somerville, Carnegie, Plant Biology
Dave & Wendy Mao, Carnegie, Geophysical Lab
22ndnd Strategy: Use Less Energy Strategy: Use Less Energy22ndnd Strategy: Use Less Energy Strategy: Use Less Energy
Superconductors
High-Temperature Cuprates
Efficient magnet and motor technologies.
SuperconductorsSuperconductors
SuperconductorsSuperconductorsEfficient energy transmission and storage:
Nanocomposites for high Tc
Bi superconductor multi-filament tapes and wires.
22ndnd Strategy: Use Less Energy Strategy: Use Less Energy22ndnd Strategy: Use Less Energy Strategy: Use Less EnergyWe need fundamental advances
in materials science and technology.
Asle Sudbø,Norwegian Univ. for
Science & Technology
Viktor Struzhkin,Carnegie Inst.,
Geophysical Lab
33rdrd Strategy: Remove CO Strategy: Remove CO2233rdrd Strategy: Remove CO Strategy: Remove CO22
Artificial Photosynthesis
Deep CO2 Sequestration
Passive process mimics plants:
6CO2 + 6H2O + photons C6H12O6 + 6O2
Artificial PhotosynthesisArtificial Photosynthesis
Use supercritical CO2 (> 73 atm and 31ºC), plus Rh catalyst, plus sunlight.
Artificial PhotosynthesisArtificial Photosynthesis
Etsuko Fujita, Brookhaven
2.4 tons of CO2 from every ton of coal: The world emits 26 gigatons of CO2 per year.
Deep CODeep CO22 Sequestration Sequestration
Supercritical CO2 can be injected into old wells , where it rises to the capstone and
slowly forms carbonate minerals.
Deep CODeep CO22 Sequestration Sequestration
Current capacity = 104 gigatons CO2
Deep CODeep CO22 Sequestration Sequestration
Statoil platform
Deep CODeep CO22 Sequestration Sequestration
The Deep Carbon CycleThe Deep Carbon CycleThe Deep Carbon CycleThe Deep Carbon CycleWe need fundamental advances in
understanding Earth’s deep carbon cycle:
• What are carbon sources & sinks?
• What are carbon’s mass transport mechanisms?
• Is there a deep source of organics?
• Did deep carbon play a role in life’s origins?
Materials science and nanoscience have the potential to contribute to many outstanding global problems related to energy and environment.
More fundamental research needs to be done, especially on carbon-bearing systems at extreme conditions.
CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS