South Korean scientists have developed a device that absorbs noxious pollutants from the atmosphere and converts them into electricity, an advance that could help tackle climate change. The new mechanism, named Gas Capture and Electricity Generator, directly transforms the energy generated during gas adsorption into usable power, rather than simply capturing greenhouse gases.
The prototype consists of a carbon-based electrode combined with hydrogel materials. When gases such as nitrogen oxides or carbon dioxide are adsorbed, charged particles within the device migrate and redistribute, producing continuous direct current without an external power source. The study was published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science.
Exposure to 50 parts per million of nitrous oxide generated 0.8 volts and 55 microamperes. Through series and parallel integration, the output can be scaled to 3.8 volts and 140 microamperes, enough to power some wearable devices and environmental monitors.
“This research demonstrates that greenhouse gases are not merely pollutants to be managed, but can serve as a new energy resource,” said Professor Ji Soo Jang from Sungkyunkwan University. The team hopes the technology could be used in smart environmental sensors, battery-free internet-connected devices, and industrial facilities, enabling simultaneous energy harvesting and carbon reduction.
