We want to reuse and enhance recycled or waste plastics as our primary goal for this research project. We then use these reused and enhanced plastics as raw materials to generate nano-porous materials that can be utilized as "filters" for carbon dioxide capture. This idea is rooted in the possibility of transforming different types of waste plastics into high-value specialized materials containing tiny cavities (nanometric, or 0.000000001 meters!) capable of trapping molecules of pollutants or harmful substances. Initially, we will use waste or recycling polystyrene (commonly known as styrofoam) as raw material and transform it into a new nano-porous material with high surface area and absorption capacity.

We will focus on capturing carbon dioxide, CO2 for short. This small molecule emitted by the discharges of industries and homes is responsible for increasing the greenhouse effect and accelerating climate change. The nano-porous materials we produce will be tested on a laboratory scale to quantify their ability to capture CO2 and their effectiveness in separating CO2 from a mixture of other gases. The development of a low-cost and environmentally sustainable materials will be of great help in developing Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies. This CO2 capture technology is, to date, the only process capable of limiting CO2 emissions into the atmosphere produced directly by human activities.

The PoreUp project has ambitious goals. We report a detailed program below, marked month by month, of the activities we will perform starting from the end of the Crowdfunding campaign. In addition, we will document our progress through communications on our social channels and detailed reports for our supporters!

Additionally, the PoreUp project is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. In particular, the objectives related to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Combating Climate Change.

More info on carbon capture