November 18, 2025 | 08:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Researchers from the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago have developed a breakthrough air filter to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2). This filter has the potential to transform any building into a carbon capture machine.
This innovation has the potential to transform the way carbon is captured, a process that has traditionally relied on carbon capture plants. This new breakthrough reveals the possibility that air purification will no longer require expensive, conventional methods.
According to a review by Earth on November 14, 2025, Ronghui Wu, a researcher in the project, stated that every building has a ventilation system that moves a large volume of air daily. However, the air exchange in the room does not immediately absorb CO2 in its implementation.
"By integrating our carbon-capture filters into these systems, we can remove carbon directly from the air without building new plants or using extra land," Ronghui said.
This carbon capture innovation is still part of Ronghui's postdoctoral research project. The advanced filter is made of carbon nanofibers and polyethylenimine (PEI) materials. The combination of these two materials effectively traps CO2 in the air. The filter can absorb 92.1 percent of CO2 from the air that passes through it.
The study also proves energy efficiency. It was concluded that the carbon capture filter could reduce energy bills by up to 21.66 percent because the building's temperature control system would not need to pull as much air out of the room.
If every building uses this filter, according to researchers' estimates, a total of 596 megatons of CO2 can be captured annually. This amount is equivalent to removing 130 million cars from the roads.
Reusable
One of the challenges in carbon capture technology has been the regeneration process. The discovery of this filter, as an answer to that challenge, is designed to be used repeatedly.
The regeneration of this filter is assisted by renewable energy, namely sunlight. The filter material absorbs solar heat, releasing the captured CO2. This means the filter cleaning process does not require combustion, which produces emissions.
Po-Chun Hsu, the lead researcher of this project, mentioned that heating CO2 with a solvent is the most common way to regenerate it. This method still poses a risk because it can produce more carbon than it captures.
Hsu explained the difference between his carbon capture filter and regular air filters. This filter eliminates the need for building owners to purchase a new one every six months. The filter is designed to fit the existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, such as the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.
He also described a future in which cities would manage carbon capture filters the way they manage waste and recycling. Used filters can be transported to central locations where the captured CO2 can be purified. Instead of becoming waste, the captured carbon can be converted into valuable fuels or chemicals.
This air filter innovation is also claimed to improve indoor air quality. This device is suitable for spaces with many people, such as classrooms and offices. Indoor air quality will be better when carbon dioxide levels are low.
Editor's Choice: So Many Climate Numbers. What Do They All Mean?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Civil Society Coalition Names Indonesia as 'Fossil of the Day' at COP30
1 jam lalu
Global civil society coalition assesses Indonesia as the worst example of a developing country mimicking the behavior of developed countries at COP.
Indonesia's Carbon Sales at COP30 Near Rp7 Trillion out of Rp16 Trillion Goal
3 jam lalu
The Indonesian government is intensifying efforts to boost carbon trading over the next week through the ambitious carbon collection to climate action.
Government: Carbon Tax Not a Priority in Indonesia's 2026 State Budget
4 jam lalu
The Ministry of Finance states that implementing a carbon tax will not be a priority next year.
So Many Climate Numbers. What Do They All Mean?
7 jam lalu
Even "numbers people" can be confused by the array of digits used to describe climate progress and failings. Here's what they really mean.
European Parliament Backs Diluted 2040 Climate Targets
4 hari lalu
Lawmakers approved slightly weaker EU carbon targets for 2040; a contentious corporate supply chain vote passed with populist support.
Fossil Fuel Emissions to Hit New Record in 2025: Study
5 hari lalu
The Global Carbon Budget report looks at CO2 emissions and relates the figures to the thresholds set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
At COP30, Indonesia Pitches Fair Carbon Market as Key to Green Transition
5 hari lalu
The Indonesian government is determined to make carbon governance a key to ensuring a fair and inclusive green economic transition.
Indonesia Opens to Global Collaboration on Carbon Market Growth
6 hari lalu
Indonesia is currently strengthening its national carbon market architecture by issuing Government Regulation No. 110 of 2025.
From the Amazon Metaphor to Hope for a 'COP of Truth' at COP30
7 hari lalu
The COP30, held in Belem, opened on Monday, 10 November 2025, marking a new milestone in the world's journey to confront the global climate crisis.
Canada Open to Indonesia Partnership on Carbon Capture and Storage
7 hari lalu
Canada's Ambassador to Indonesia has stated that Ottawa is open to cooperation with Jakarta in the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to support the transition to clean energy.
