MIT chemical engineers have designed a material that reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to gain growth, reinforcement and even self-healing. The research report is published in the journal Advanced Materials. This polymer material can continuously convert greenhouse gases into carbon. The base material is used to reinforce itself and can be used as a building material or repair material or protective coating.
The chemical reaction process used in this material is similar to the way plants absorb carbon dioxide. This carbon-fixing material uses sunlight to transform the carbon dioxide in the air into a solid stable form.
The researchers pointed out that the development of synthetic materials that avoid the use of fossil fuels and consume carbon dioxide in the air has significant environmental and climate benefits.
