NEG8 Carbon Secures SFI Funding for Groundbreaking CO2 Capture Research
17 June 2024: NEG8 Carbon is pleased to be awarded funding for a collaboration with the University of Limerick through the SFI Industry Awards RD&I Fellowship Programme.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, announced a €1.4 million investment in 15 awards through the SFI Industry Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) Fellowship Programme.
The Programme will support the temporary placement (1 to 12 months) of academic researchers in 12 companies, to conduct research across a variety of areas including energy efficient communications networks, electrochemical sensors for rapid medical diagnostics, seaweed extract for use in cosmetics/health products, moorings for offshore wind platforms, and reducing cement’s carbon footprint using new generation low clinker cement technology.
A portion of the funding will support the placement of Sorbent Technology Chemist, Andrey Bezrukov, with the NEG8 Carbon team to conduct research to develop and optimise solid sorbents for efficient Direct Air Capture of CO2.
Dr John Breen, Chief Technology Officer at NEG8 Carbon welcomed the announcement:
“I am delighted to welcome Andrey to the NEG8 Carbon team. Sorbents are at the heart of our carbon capture systems. With over 10 years experience in sorbent R&D, Andrey is a valuable addition to our team as we look to build upon our sorbent technology competencies.”
Speaking on the announcement, Andrey Bezrukov said:
“I am excited to join the NEG8 Carbon team in their work towards building new DAC technology. The DAC sorbents developed in the project could potentially make a real impact towards further improving the existing CO2 capture process.”
Minister O’Donovan said:
“I am delighted to announce the SFI Industry RD&I Fellowship Programme recipients, connecting academic researchers and industry partners to collaborate and mutually benefit from each other’s invaluable knowledge and expertise. Academic-Industry collaborations maximise the economic and societal impact of Irish State-funded research and resources, and foster impactful innovation. I look forward to seeing the achievements that will shape the years ahead.”
Industry partners will benefit from the expertise of the Fellow, while Fellows are provided with an opportunity to be immersed into industry and gain relevant business knowledge and experience.
Dr Siobhan Roche, Director, Science for the Economy at Science Foundation Ireland, said:
“Science Foundation Ireland is really pleased to support these academia-industry connections. This funding supports colleagues in academia to bring their research knowledge and skills to an industry partner and work collaboratively on solutions to industry‐informed challenges. The SFI Industry RD&I Fellowship Programme provides a unique opportunity for researchers, drives research excellence through knowledge exchange, and enhances the industry partners’ competitive advantage.”
Fellows are from nine higher education institutes, including Trinity College Dublin, University of Galway, University of Limerick, University College Dublin, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science, Technological University of the Shannon, University College Cork, Atlantic Technological University, and Dublin City University.
For more:
- What is Direct Air Capture?
- How Does Direct Air Capture Work?
- Why Removing CO2 from the Atmosphere is Urgent
- What is CO2 Utilization?