Direct Air Capture by Thin Film Composite Membranes

It is funded by Royal Society International Exchange 2025 Global Round 1 in collaboration with National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos Greece.

Climate change committee in their report to the UK Parliament in 2022 has emphasised the development of affordable and environmentally friendly direct air carbon capture (DAC) systems. The report advises on exploring new technology options via blue sky research as well as developing implementation strategy at higher technology readiness levels (TRLs). Current DAC systems rely on chemical adsorption, which requires high energy and is expensive. Additionally, these systems are limited to specific locations due to their dependence on certain geological features. This project explores an alternative DAC approach using thin-film composite membranes. Membrane technology is widely regarded as an energy-efficient method for gas separation, but it has not been tested for capturing CO₂ from air due to previous performance limitations. However, recent advances in membrane materials suggest that it may now be a viable option. The project has three main goals: Membrane Development – Designing and testing new membrane materials to enhance CO₂ separation. Process Simulation – Using computer models to assess the energy efficiency and technical feasibility of membrane-based DAC. Economic Evaluation – Comparing the costs of membrane-based DAC to conventional methods and assessing its commercial potential. This research brings together experts in engineering, materials science, and business to develop a sustainable and cost-effective carbon capture solution. The project will also provide essential data for future research, encourage investment in green technology, and contribute to global efforts in tackling climate change.