M. Pasquali
Rice University,
United States
Keywords: materials, energy, carbon dioxide
Summary:
Achieving a zero-CO2, sustainable economy requires a transition in materials. Continued use of metals poses particular problems, because they are mined as oxides, often at low concentration and in fragile ecological areas; their conversion requires considerable energy and generates CO2 emissions. Metals are inefficient because of their high density; moreover, their supply chains are geopolitically vulnerable. Can we develop more sustainable, secure materials whose production requires less energy, does not generate CO2, and perform the same functions as metals and other CO2-intensive materials?In this lecture, I will explain a sub-class of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the likely solution. These CNTs are essentially conducting polymers with very high chemical and mechanical stability; they can be synthesized from hydrocarbons, with co-production of hydrogen. These CNTs are effectively precursors that can be shaped into macroscale materials whose properties overlap industrial metals (copper, aluminum, steel). To be used at large scale, CNT materials must be made and processed efficiently—much like polymers had to be synthesized and processed inexpensively to replace natural materials and ceramics. Yet, developing efficient manufacturing at the lab scale is not sufficient: process technologies must be scaled up and the materials must be converted into differentiated semifinished products that can then be tested and introduced into products and applications. Normally, creation of such value chains and markets is a slow, inefficient process that takes five or more decades and requires massive capital mobilization. Can we do this faster and cheaper by collaborating early in the technology scale-up cycle?I will describe the Carbon Hub, an experiment in speed, scale, and frugality (or stinginess?) that we have been running for the past five years to address these intertwined problems. The prize for solving them? A future where we make materials sustainably from various carbon sources and use them to decarbonize industry, revitalize our manufacturing, electrify our energy systems, and rebuild our infrastructures.