1. Emerging Electrochemical Processes for Integration with CO2 Capture
Due Monday, March 14, 2022
Organizers: Betar Gallant (bgallant@mit.edu), David Kwabi (dkwabi@umich.edu), & Mohammad Rahimi (mrahimi@uh.edu)
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is essential if global warming mitigation scenarios are to be met, with potential roles for utilization (CCU) in the shorter term to incentivize adoption of capture technologies at scale. However, today’s maturing thermochemical capture technologies have exceedingly high energy requirements and rigid form factors that restrict their versatility and limit scale. Using renewable electricity, rather than heat, as the energy input to drive CO2 separations provides a compelling alternative to surpass these limitations. Additionally, integration of capture with direct conversion of CO2 (reactive capture) affords new possible pathways and opportunities as well as fundamental scientific challenges. Although electrochemical technologies have been extensively developed for energy storage and post-separation CO2 utilization processes, the potential for more expansive intersection of electrochemistry with CCS is only recently receiving growing attention, with a burgeoning pipeline of numerous concepts at various stages of technology readiness.
This inaugural symposium will highlight recent fundamental and applied advancements in emerging electrochemical-based methods of capturing CO2 from different sources, ranging from high concentration point sources to dilute streams such as air (i.e., direct air capture). Topics covered in the symposium will include: (1) pH-swing methods of various forms, including membrane-based processes; (2) Electrochemical generation of nucleophiles for CO2 capture and their subsequent oxidation for CO2 release; (3) Alternative electrochemical sorbent regeneration processes based on material redox; (4) Direct conversion of CO2 from amine and other sorbent systems; (5) Thermodynamic, transport, and system-level analysis and design; (6) Systems for integrated photoelectrochemical CO2 capture and conversion.
The abstract submission deadline is March 14, 2022. Abstracts may be submitted here.
2. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage in undergraduate teaching and research
Due Monday, March 14, 2022
Research into carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) has captured great interest in recent years due to the urgent need to prevent the damaging effects of climate change. However, a disconnect remains between the grand scale of this challenge and the need to integrate CCUS into undergraduate education. This symposium will bring together chemistry educators to share and explore innovative ideas for integrating CCUS into undergraduate teaching and research. Coordinated efforts in this area will contribute to global efforts in CCUS while empowering students to see the value of their chemistry education in ensuring a sustainable future. We invite submissions related to all aspects of CCUS as it relates to undergraduate education, including but not limited to the following topics: CCUS Materials and Technologies (e.g., aqueous systems, ionic liquids, metal-organic frameworks); Green and Sustainable Chemistry; Connections to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; Life Cycle Analysis; Systems Thinking; Environmental Justice; Science Communication and Public Policy; Models for PBL and Interdisciplinary Collaborations.
For specific questions, please contact Ed Brush (ebrush@bridgew.edu) or Alyssa Deline (ADELINE@bridgew.edu).