CHEMISTRY

Carbon Capture Technology ⚛️

Carbon capture technology is an innovative method of tackling climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and safely storing it in a condensed form or utilising it in another form. Direct air capture absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into a solid sorbent at low temperatures. This stored form can then be released at high temperatures for storage or utilisation. Stored carbon is buried underground at a sufficient depth to prevent release back into the atmosphere. Utilised carbon has a wide range of uses, such as transformation into synthetic fuels, manufacturing of building materials, and use in enhanced oil recovery.

💡 Things to consider

• Properties of gases: The chemical properties of gases vary according to their structure and intermolecular interactions. Explain how the different intermolecular interactions in a gas affect its reactivity. Consider the change in intermolecular interactions of carbon dioxide upon direct air capture and how the strength of these interactions is influenced by temperature.

  

  And how about *this* gas?

• Catalysis: Catalysis in these processes has huge industrial applications to improve yield and energy efficiency at each stage. Research the different catalysts currently being developed for direct air capture. Evaluate the key uses of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Reflect on how catalysis of direct air capture helps reduce the net emissions of the overall process.

  

• Carbon utilisation: Transformation of the captured carbon dioxide is a useful way to produce ‘clean’ fuels because the carbon dioxide captured from the atmosphere compensates for the production of carbon dioxide on combustion of the new fuel - this makes the emissions net zero. What are the stages to convert captured carbon dioxide into a new fuel? Analyse the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis process. What limitations does carbon capture and utilisation face to wide-scale use?

🔎 Find out more

• More on the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis process

• Carbon capture: the hopes, challenges and controversies | FT Film

🍒 The cherry on top

• 🌲 History of Christmas Carols: Many popular carols began as secular, sometimes raucous, folk songs and dance tunes celebrating general winter festivals, not purely religious events. Their history includes being banned by 17th-century Puritan authorities, surviving underground in rural communities, and finally re-emerging in the 1800s to create the blended tradition we know today. A great read if you like Music, History, or Anthropology!

• 🦴 Arthritis: While often associated with aging, arthritis can affect people of all ages, especially after injuries. Though there’s no cure yet, treatments range from medication and physical therapy to surgical interventions like joint replacements. Watch this video to find out more if you’re into Biology or Medicine.

• 🌙 The Moon as a Medieval Symbol: The Moon held profound and often contradictory symbolic power in the Middle Ages. Discover how the Moon served as a dualistic emblem in both Christianity (representing the Church reflecting Christ's light, or the State in political debates) and Islam (associated directly with the Prophet Muhammad and, in Sufi thought, even standing for God, or Allah, himself). Great if you like Religious Studies, Art, History, or Literature.

👀 Keep your eyes peeled for…

• Wednesday 10th December

  • St Mary’s University (Twickenham) Computer Science Masterclass

  • University of Law Business Taster Session

• Thursday 11th December

  • Balliol College Oxford Insight into Humanities Webinar

• Monday 15th December

  • Balliol College Oxford Insight into Science Webinar

🗳️ Poll