The climate summit in Belém, Brazil, faced adverse weather conditions, but this year has nonetheless seen significant advancements in climate technology. Engineers and researchers have made strides in various areas, showcasing innovations that could play a crucial role in addressing climate change. Here are five notable developments in climate technology from 2025.
Wind-Powered Ammonia Production
A team led by Richard Zare and Xiaowei Song has unveiled a groundbreaking device that harnesses wind energy to produce ammonia, an essential compound for agriculture and other industries. Freelance contributor Alfred Poor reported on a demonstration of this passive technology, which operates without batteries. By capturing ammonia directly from the atmosphere, this invention presents a sustainable solution to meet the growing demand for ammonia while reducing environmental impact.
Piezoelectric Catalysts Combat Water Pollution
In a significant advancement in pollution control, a startup is utilizing piezoelectric catalysts to eliminate so-called “forever chemicals” from water sources. As detailed by freelance contributor Rachel Berkowitz, traditional methods for filtering these persistent pollutants require considerable energy. Instead, this innovative approach leverages the kinetic energy from flowing water, dramatically enhancing efficiency. This development not only reduces energy consumption but also addresses a pressing environmental issue.
Revolutionizing Circuit Breakers with Supercritical CO2
The introduction of the first supercritical CO2 circuit breaker marks a pivotal moment in electrical engineering. As reported by Emily Waltz, this technology aims to replace SF6, a potent greenhouse gas used as an insulator in high-voltage circuit breakers. The switch to supercritical CO2 could significantly mitigate the environmental impact associated with SF6, which was responsible for about 1 percent of global warming in 2018. This innovation highlights the potential for greener alternatives in critical infrastructure.
Assessing Carbon Capture Needs
The challenge of capturing atmospheric carbon is vast and complex. In an insightful exploration, contributing editor W. Wayt Gibbs examined how much carbon society should aim to extract from the atmosphere. His research, featured in The Scale Issue, includes an infographic illustrating potential underground injection sites, the current capture achievements, and the magnitude of the ongoing challenge. This analysis underscores the urgency of developing effective carbon capture strategies.
Geopolitical Factors in Greenland’s Resource Mining
Mining for rare earth elements in Greenland presents not only technical challenges but also significant political hurdles. Flemming Getreuer Christiansen, a former deputy director of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, emphasized in a guest article that political clarity is essential for unlocking these critical materials necessary for various climate technologies. The interplay between engineering and politics may determine the success of these resource extraction efforts.
In a lighter yet reflective touch, fiber-optic engineer and poet Steven Searcy contributed a poem titled “A Sunday in August,” reminding readers of the importance of balancing technical advancements with the beauty of creativity and nature.
This year’s developments in climate technology, showcased amid the challenges of the Belém summit, demonstrate the potential of innovation to address pressing environmental issues. As these advancements unfold, they offer hope for a more sustainable future.
