Carbon management research across Canada received a boost this week with the announcement that Carbon Management Canada is funding 18 new projects for a total of $10 million.
Projects range from work toward developing what could become the world’s first zero-emission solid oxide fuel cell to research seeking a way to convert CO2 into water and methanol to an investigation into public attitudes toward greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.
The largest award, $1.92 million, goes to a project to coax communities of microorganisms to convert coal into natural gas, or methane, while still in the ground. The methane produced from bioconversion would then be collected for use as a clean-burning fuel.
This ambitious project, led by Sushanta Mitra at the University of Alberta, exemplifies CMC’s emphasis on funding interdisciplinary, multi-institution projects. The 15 principal investigators on the project are from six different organizations including universities, Alberta Innovates Technology Futures and industry. Researchers represent disciplines ranging from biology to hydrology to geosciences and both mechanical and chemical engineering.
Steve Larter, CMC scientific director and a researcher on the project, notes the interdisciplinary approach is critical to the project’s success.
“The problems can’t be solved by a really good geochemist, or just a really good microbiologist, or just a very good engineer. We’re trying to build an orchestra.”
Funds have been allocated to projects in all four CMC research themes. This round of funding increases the number of CMC funded research projects from 18 to 36. Last year, $8.7 million was awarded to 17 projects. In addition, funds were awarded to one project under CMC’s emerging issues pocket.
To view funded projects:
CMC-funded Round 2 Projects