Scientists from the University of Cambridge announce the creation of a solar-powered reactor whose function involves transforming CO₂ and plastic waste into sustainable fuel. According to the scientific magazine Nature Synthesis, the researchers present a photoelectrochemical system that transforms by-products of high environmental impact into sustainable materials, bringing together capacity to work with multiple resources simultaneously. During tests of the reactor’s effectiveness, the system was able to convert plastic bottles and CO₂ into numerous types of fuels, as well as other valuable compounds such as synthetic gas and glycolic acid.
Co-author of the study Subhajit Bhattacharjee, said in a statement that the technology could «help address plastic pollution and greenhouse gases at the same time», as well as act as a watershed in the development of a circular economy.
The future recycling project envisages being able to use the reactor to recycle, reuse and transform more complex particles into green materials within the next five years. For now, the scientists have limited themselves to a discovery with significant impact on the world of sustainability, but the dream is to take the technology to the point where it can power a recycling plant with 100% solar energy.
Co-author of the study Subhajit Bhattacharjee, said in a statement that the technology could «help address plastic pollution and greenhouse gases at the same time», as well as act as a watershed in the development of a circular economy.
The future recycling project envisages being able to use the reactor to recycle, reuse and transform more complex particles into green materials within the next five years. For now, the scientists have limited themselves to a discovery with significant impact on the world of sustainability, but the dream is to take the technology to the point where it can power a recycling plant with 100% solar energy.
