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