AirZyme is an R&D focused startup that is developing carbonic anhydrases (CAs) for use in the carbon capture industry. CAs are a family of enzymes that can facilitate the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere or industrial processes, making them a promising avenue for sustainable production and mitigating the effects of climate change.
What are Carbonic Anhydrases?
Carbonic anhydrases are a family of zinc-containing enzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate ions and protons. CAs are present in many organisms, including plants, animals, and bacteria, and play important roles in various physiological processes, such as respiration, acid-base regulation, and bone formation.
How do Carbonic Anhydrases help with Carbon Capture?
AirZyme’s goal is to develop stable and cost-effective CAs that can enhance the natural carbon dioxide absorption process. By incorporating CAs into carbon capture technologies, hope to increase the efficiency of CO2 absorption from the atmosphere or industrial sources. By converting CO2 to bicarbonate ions, CAs can help reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Applications of Carbonic Anhydrases for Carbon Capture
There are several ways in which CAs can be used for carbon capture applications. AirZyme is developing methods for incorporating CAs into materials that can be used to absorb CO2 from the air or industrial processes, such as solvents, membranes or adsorbents. They are also exploring the use of enzymatic carbonation of lime-based material to to create an affordable and scalable DAC solution.
AirZyme’s focus on developing stable and cost-effective CAs is crucial for the widespread adoption of this technology. By making CAs more accessible, AirZyme is contributing towards a Net Zero society, where carbon capture technologies play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Challenges and Future Directions
While the use of CAs for carbon capture applications is a promising approach, some challenges needs to be addressed. AirZyme is working to develop more robust CAs or modify them to enhance their stability and activity under harsh conditions and by genetically engineered microorganisms that express high levels of CAs to enable economic and scalable production.
Despite these challenges, the potential for using CAs for carbon capture applications is a promising avenue for sustainable production and mitigating the effects of climate change. With AirZyme’s focus on developing stable and cost-effective CAs, this technology will become a crucial tool in the fight against climate change.
