Going to Space to Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions On Earth
NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor works on Cemsica's gas separation membranes experiment onboard the International Space Station.
Media Credit: NASA
An International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) National Lab investigation that recently launched on Northrop Grumman CRS-10 could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Earth. The investigation, from Houston-based startup Cemsica, aims to leverage microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. to improve the manufacture of artificial membranes that could be used to separate and capture carbon dioxide from gases released during energy production.
Knowledge gained from synthesizing the membranes in microgravity could be applied to improve the manufacturing process back on the ground. Results from this project could lead not only to improved membranes but also to membranes that are more energy- and cost-efficient. Learn more about Cemsica’s investigation in the video below.