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Methane oxidation
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Methane is a short-lived pollutant which drives climate change and harms human and ecosystem health by contributing to the formation of ground-level ozone. Methane is significantly more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2): it is 120 times more potent upon emission and remains 80 times more potent over a time span of 20 years. The atmospheric burden of methane has almost tripled since the pre-industrial era due to both anthropogenic and natural emissions, contributing to 30% of global warming over the last 150 years.
After the COP26 summit in 2021, 111 countries committed to reducing methane emissions, with a reduction target of 30% by 2030.
The idea
Anthropogenic methane emissions can be partially reduced by improved engineering standards in the fossil fuel sector, but certain sources, particularly livestock and rice cultivation, are more challenging to address. Natural methane emissions are expected to continue growing due to environmental feedbacks in wetlands and the cryosphere.
Despite its potency as a greenhouse gas, methane can be abated through oxidation, specifically photocatalytic oxidation. By passing air over a substrate surface with a particular catalyst embedded, methane can be removed and converted to CO2 and water vapour.
CLEAR-Methane
Written by Aliki Marina Tsopelakou
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Dr Aliki Marina Tsopelakou is one of the researchers in the Department of Engineering creating catalytic technology for methane removal.
Our project focuses on developing photochemical filter systems designed for integration into HVAC units, offering a dual benefit: improving indoor air quality—a pressing concern in the post-pandemic era—and enabling the removal of atmospheric methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases driving climate change. In addition to methane, the technology can also reduce co-pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), contributing to healthier and cleaner indoor environments. The system is designed for scalability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of deployment, leveraging existing building infrastructure to deliver an immediately deployable and energy-efficient climate solution.
Building on research conducted at the Department of Engineering and Centre for Climate Repair, this work has evolved into the venture CLEAR-Methane, which I co-founded with Tzia Ming Onn, Samuel Tomlinson, Adam Boies and Shaun Fitzgerald. Our team aims to translate cutting-edge methane-removal science into market-ready clean technology that advances decarbonisation and climate resilience. CLEAR-Methane has been selected as a finalist in the Postdoc Venture Creation Challenge organised by IE Cambridge: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, reflecting the project’s strong commercial and societal potential. We are currently working with Cambridge Enterprise to patent our core technology and advancing prototype development, pilot testing, and strategic industry partnerships to bring this innovation from the laboratory to real-world deployment—addressing both climate impact and indoor air quality together.
