Readily available thermoelectric generators can convert CO2 using modest temperature differences, as demonstrated by a proof-of-concept study conducted by chemists from the University of British Columbia (UBC). These findings suggest a fascinating opportunity to utilize the temperature variations found in diverse settings—from typical geothermal sites on Earth to the icy, barren landscape of Mars—to convert CO2 into a variety of useful fuels and chemicals.
Readily available thermoelectric generators can effectively power CO2 conversion using modest temperature differences, according to a proof-of-concept study by chemists at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
This discovery presents an exciting possibility that temperature differences in various environments, such as standard geothermal setups on Earth and the frozen, inhospitable surface of Mars, could facilitate the transformation of CO2 into valuable fuels and chemicals.
“The conditions on Mars really piqued my interest regarding the long-term potential of this technology,” remarks Dr. Abhishek Soni, a postdoctoral research fellow at UBC and lead author of the study published in Device.
“Mars presents a challenging environment where significant temperature variations can be utilized not only to generate power through thermoelectric generators but also to convert the plentiful CO2 in its atmosphere into beneficial products for potential colonies.”
Thermoelectric generators generate electricity by being placed between two areas with different temperatures—like a heated surface and an ice bath in a laboratory setting. The research team found that when the temperature disparity between the two surfaces reached at least 40 °C, conventional thermoelectric generators could provide a steady current sufficient to power an electrolyzer that converts CO2 into CO.
On Earth, this technology could be applied to enhance geothermal systems. “Our lab results suggest that the temperature variation between hot geothermal pipes coming from underground and the relatively cooler surface can generate enough power for a converter using thermoelectric generators,” explains Dr. Soni.
The vision for utilizing this technology on Mars is even more ambitious. Any biodome on Mars would need to maintain a temperate environment. Thermoelectric generators placed on the dome’s exterior could harness the temperature difference between the warm interior and the extremely cold outside to generate electricity. This electricity could then be used to facilitate CO2 conversion into valuable carbon-based products like fuels and chemicals. Given that the Martian atmosphere is composed of 95% carbon dioxide and temperatures can range from 20 °C to -153 °C, the potential is significant.
“This paper illustrates an innovative approach to produce carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals,” states Professor Curtis P. Berlinguette, the principal investigator at UBC. “One day, we will need plastics on Mars, and this technology shows a feasible method to achieve that.”
The next step involves testing the effectiveness of thermoelectric generators with our electrolyzer in real-world scenarios here on Earth.
