New ‘lab-on-a-chip’ devices could speed up CO₂ conversion for clean fuels and energy technologies

The miniature systems use renewable electricity to drive reactions, with early applications focused on converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into useful fuels and chemicals such as sustainable aviation fuels, ethanol and ethylene – a key building block in plastics and other industrial materials. 

Although CO₂ is widely seen as a major contributor to climate change, researchers are increasingly exploring how to capture and reuse it as a valuable resource. However, the chemistry behind these processes is highly complex, making optimisation slow and heavily dependent on traditional trial-and-error methods. 

The Surrey-developed devices offer a more precise approach, recreating these processes inside miniature electrochemical systems and revealing how the chemistry unfolds in a highly controlled environment.  

Built-in sensors track reactions in real time, while analytical tools generate large volumes of high-quality experimental data, recording electrical signals, chemical changes and reaction conditions simultaneously. Researchers can then use AI to spot patterns in this data, helping to guide future experiments and improving performance more efficiently. 

This level of insight could significantly accelerate the discovery of new materials – reducing both the cost and time needed to develop next-generation technologies for CO₂ conversion, hydrogen production, batteries and fuel cells. 

While Surrey researchers are initially focusing on CO₂ conversion, the technology has far wider potential. The same sensing platforms could be used to advance a range of sustainable technologies, including batteries, hydrogen systems, ammonia production and environmental monitoring. 

The research is already attracting early commercial interest, with the Surrey team exploring potential industry applications, including collaboration with companies working in battery materials and energy systems. 

###

Notes to editors 

• Dr Kai Yang is available for interview; please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange.