Van Dongen has explored the potential of microorganisms in her previous work. Related story "Carbon can be an ally in a regenerative future" "It's another taboo but not at all far-fetched when you consider that, on a daily basis, we eat plants that have been fed with animal manure." "They even take it to a whole next level where the excrement of astronauts can be transformed by microbes into a nutritious sandwich spread," she added. "But microbially produced food is being seriously researched by NASA for space travel." "This rule is based on a ridiculous fear of microbes," said van Dongen. Other carbon-capturing materials in the library include Carbinox, which can be used to create concrete However, they can currently only be used as animal food due to strict regulations. Microbial proteins are produced by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, which can be bred on a large scale in reactors. It starts with the realisation that all plant-based foods that we eat have absorbed CO2 in order for the plant to grow." "It’s only a matter of time and government legislation. "I absolutely do think that one day we will eat food that is produced from carbon dioxide," said van Dongen. "One day we will eat food that is produced from carbon dioxide"Īerial also includes potential food sources made from CO2 including spirulina, a carbon-guzzling algae, and methane-consuming microbial proteins. "It is an unknown fact that a range of materials can be made with the reacted olivine mineral," van Dongen said. The Aireal library showcases a range of olivine products made by Green Minerals, who will produce the first 1,000 sheets of paper made from the carbonated mineral later this year. The library also showcases edible materials, such as microbial proteins produced by Avecom HV Once it has absorbed carbon from the atmosphere, olivine can be used in a variety of materials including cement, paper and 3D-printing filament. There are places where you can’t grow trees and seaweed but you can spread olivine." "But I think we shouldn’t compare and choose any more. Also, the speed of the absorption is often slow compared with these natural absorption methods." "One factor is that olivine is quite unknown compared to other means of CO2 absorption such as trees or seaweed. "During my research, I wondered many times why aren’t governments implementing this on a large scale yet," she added. "We are so stuck in thought patterns of industrialisation and capitalism that naturally occurring reactions can't win against the tech solutions." Green Minerals will produce the first 1,000 sheets of paper made from olivine later this year "One problem is the fact that research institutes that have or receive funding for CO2 absorption can’t patent the spreading of a mineral," she said. Van Dongen said that the potential of natural materials such as olivine is being ignored as researchers and startups rush to develop more complex ways of reducing atmospheric carbon. Potential uses include fertiliser and a replacement for sand and gravel in landscaping projects. You just have to spread it out and nature will do its job."Įuropean climate initiative Climate-KIC estimates that olivine could capture 850,000 tonnes of CO2 if it was used in small-scale projects in Rotterdam alone. "One tonne of olivine sand can take in up to one tonne of CO2, depending on the conditions. "It absorbs CO2 very easily," van Dongen told Dezeen. Yet olivine has been overlooked in the rush to explore ways of tackling climate change, van Dongen said. Olivine overlooked in favour of more complex carbon-capture methods Olivine, a green-coloured magnesium–iron silicate, is one of the most common minerals on earth, making up between 60 and 80 per cent of the earth's mantle.Īs part of its natural weathering process, the surface of the mineral reacts with CO2 contained in rainwater, absorbing the carbon to create a new carbonate mineral. "I hope to encourage a connection between the institutes that create these materials and designers and architects that can make use of these existing and new materials," she added. Olivine is an abundant mineral that can absorb its own mass of carbon dioxide when finely powdered "The materials were developed in the spirit of the circular economy, where waste does not exist and carbon dioxide is seen as a resource for the creation of the products that we will use tomorrow," she said.