3 minute read
What if we could vacuum the sky?
Imagine a machine that can clean the air around us, much like a vacuum cleaner on the floor. That’s exactly what Carbyon has unveiled with the Carbyon GO, a breakthrough device that could transform how we remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The Carbyon GO works much like a high-powered vacuum. But instead of dust, it pulls CO₂ molecules directly from the air using a special filter material. Just one kilogram of this material can capture up to three tonnes of CO₂ a year; that’s the same as around 150 trees! Most impressive of all is its speed. The filter can fill up to 90% with CO₂ in just 100 seconds, a pace that traditional DAC systems can’t match.
Carbyon’s laboratory is based at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, in the southern part of the Netherlands. This is one of the world’s leading centres for research and innovation. Here, engineers and scientists study how the sorbent materials absorb and release CO₂, while also testing the precision components that make the machine run efficiently. In 2025, Carbyon will launch its first outdoor system at a dedicated test site, marking the next step toward bringing this technology out of the lab and into the world.
The next steps in carbon capture
Carbyon’s innovation is a promising step toward cleaner air. But while the technology is exciting, it’s only part of a much bigger picture. To truly tackle climate change, our first priority must be to reduce the amount of CO₂ we emit in the first place. At the same time, we need effective ways to remove the CO₂ that is already in the air. Solutions that can balance what remains and gradually help to restore the planet’s natural systems.
Right now, one major challenge is energy use. Many current machines require more power to operate than the amount of CO₂ they can capture, especially if that energy comes from fossil fuels. In other words, this early ‘vacuum cleaner for the sky’ is not yet a full climate solution. That’s why Carbyon’s next prototype is such an important step. The team aims to cut energy use by up to three-quarters and eventually power the systems entirely with renewable energy. Calculations made together with Radboud University show that under those conditions, the total climate impact, even when including the production of steel and other materials, will be positive.
Turning pollution into possibility
So this is just the beginning. The Carbyon GO is a first-generation machine designed to prove that the concept works. It will be deployed in locations around the world with the greatest potential for renewable energy, for example desert regions where deep geothermal heat can be harnessed, and clean energy can be generated efficiently. By 2032, Carbyon aims to roll out these machines worldwide, in regions rich in renewable energy like geothermal hotspots. Capturing greenhouse gases will always be a challenge, but research is crucial. And Carbyon is making remarkable strides. That’s #newdutch!
#NewDutch is a mentality, a movement, and an international platform for Dutch innovation. Discover the makers of tomorrow on www.newdutch.nl and join us!
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