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Researcher develops low-cost method to capture CO2
Strap: The innovation replaces expensive adsorbent materials with an economical and easily available yeast-based, porous thin layer.
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Sharon Bondugula / news.fit.edu/
An Indian-origin researcher at Florida Institute of Technology has developed a low-cost method to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions using everyday ingredients, potentially offering an affordable solution for reducing greenhouse gases from power plants.
Sharon Bondugula, a doctorate candidate in mechanical engineering, created a porous, thin coating that captures CO2 from post-combustion gas streams. The material, made with yeast, sugar, and xanthan gum, is applied to a plate and integrated into power plant gas flows.
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Working under the guidance of assistant professor Darshan Pahinkar, Bondugula’s research explores heat-driven energy systems. The team experimented with different formulations before incorporating xanthan gum as a stabilizing agent. The final product, which can be manufactured on-site using grocery store ingredients, is baked to enhance its porosity and strength.
Bondugula’s CO2 adsorbent is applied to aluminum plates and positioned within power plant exhaust streams. As emissions pass through, CO2 adheres to the material’s porous structure, while the remaining gases escape. The design also allows easy regeneration of the adsorbent by applying heat, making it a reusable and scalable solution.
“This method provides an affordable alternative to existing carbon capture technologies,” Bondugula explained. “Porosity makes all the adsorbent particles more accessible.”
Bondugula and Pahinkar are now exploring ways to expand the material’s capabilities to adsorb other greenhouse gases such as methane and water vapor.
“If we don’t remove the CO2 that’s coming from places that emit it or from the atmosphere, global temperatures could increase,” Bondugula said. “To limit that, a lot of people are working on capturing these greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide and methane.”
Originally from India, Bondugula has a background in aerospace and fluid mechanics. She is currently a senior research engineer at Aqua Membranes, Inc., working on membrane technologies for sustainable water management. She previously held research and engineering roles at M2X Energy Inc. and the Indian Space Society.
Bondugula holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences in Tamil Nadu, India.
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