Lab on a chip for a low-carbon future

Transitioning our society to a sustainable future, with low or net-zero carbon emissions to the atmosphere, will require a wide-spread transformation of energy and environmental technologies. In this perspective article, we describe how lab-on-a-chip (LoC) systems can help address this challenge by providing insight into the fundamental physical and geochemical processes underlying new technologies critical to this transition, and developing the new processes and materials required. We focus on six areas: (I) subsurface carbon sequestration, (II) subsurface hydrogen storage, (III) geothermal energy extraction, (IV) bioenergy, (V) recovering critical materials, and (VI) water filtration and remediation. We hope to engage the LoC community in the many opportunities within the transition ahead, and highlight the potential of LoC approaches to the broader community of researchers, industry experts, and policy makers working toward a low-carbon future.

Automated summary

Transitioning to a sustainable future requires a transformation of energy and environmental technologies. Lab-on-a-chip (LoC) systems can contribute to this transition by studying and developing new processes and materials in areas such as carbon sequestration, hydrogen storage, geothermal energy extraction, bioenergy, critical materials recovery, and water filtration. It is important to engage the LoC community and raise awareness among researchers, industry experts, and policy makers about the potential of LoC approaches in achieving a low-carbon future.