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Over the past three years, Sayari and his research team have developed a powdered form of nanoporous silica that can adsorb and remove carbon dioxide (CO2) contained in various industrial gases in order to prevent its release into the atmosphere.
Major industries could control greenhouse emissions by directing the waste gases toward a type of chimney, where they would be freed of CO2 after contact with the powder at the end of the process. The absorption is also reversible, meaning that the material could be used repeatedly. Because the powder is also water resistant, its properties are not affected by the steam often found in industrial gases.
The primary aim of Sayari’s research is to speed up the discovery of new catalytic processes, which could help reduce the impact of the chemical industry on the environment. Sayari holds the Canada Research Chair in Catalysis Using Nanostructured Materials. He is also the director of the University of Ottawa’s Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation (CCRI).
The Ingenuity into Opportunity award is given annually to a University of Ottawa professor who has disclosed his findings to the University’s Technology Transfer and Business Enterprise (TTBE) office in order to patent his invention.
According to Sean Flanigan, TTBE’s interim director, there were 31 qualified inventions submitted for the 2004 award.
