patrick.net

Whatever happened with this?

Such a technology might also be useful for extracting methane from the air for use as fuel.

Grok's response in 5 seconds:
The 2016 Popular Mechanics article “Scientists Accidentally Discover Efficient Process to Turn CO2 Into Ethanol” reports a fascinating breakthrough at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Researchers, led by Adam Rondinone, stumbled upon a single-step electrochemical process that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into ethanol using a catalyst made of carbon, copper, and nitrogen arranged in nanoscale spikes. The process, which operates at room temperature with a modest 1.2 volts and yields 63% ethanol, was unexpected because it bypassed the anticipated multi-step reactions and produced ethanol instead of less desirable compounds like methanol. This discovery sparked excitement for its potential to transform CO2, a greenhouse gas, into a usable fuel, offering a carbon-neutral cycle if scaled industrially, especially for storing excess renewable energy from wind or solar.

However, the article’s enthusiasm warrants scrutiny. While the process is described as “cheap, efficient, and scalable,” Reddit discussions from the time highlight skepticism. Critics noted that the 63% Faradaic efficiency (electrons used effectively in the reaction) doesn’t account for the energy needed to concentrate CO2 from air, which is only 0.04% CO2, making large-scale extraction challenging. Burning the ethanol would release CO2 back into the atmosphere, so it’s not a net reduction but a recycling process, with no clear advantage over alternatives like hydrogen production. The “accidental” framing also seems overstated; the team was intentionally studying CO2-to-fuel reactions, and the surprise was the catalyst’s efficiency, not the concept itself.

The article effectively conveys the promise of a low-cost, nanotechnology-driven solution but glosses over practical hurdles like energy inputs and scalability. It’s a compelling proof-of-concept, but as some X posts from 2016–2018 echo, real-world application remains uncertain without further refinement. This discovery is a step toward innovative climate solutions, but it’s not the silver bullet the headline might suggest.

zzyzzx says

The researchers were attempting to find a series of chemical reactions that could turn CO2 into a useful fuel, when they realized the first step in their process managed to do it all by itself. The reaction turns CO2 into ethanol, which could in turn be used to power generators and vehicles.

Translation: They grew plants and burned them to power generators in a way that went through a whole bunch of processes and spent a whole bunch of research money.

In my experience most of the ideas in popular mechanics are pie in the sky and never come to fruition. It's as much hype as it science.

Patrick says

Whatever happened with this?

Such a technology might also be useful for extracting methane from the air for use as fuel.

It fucks with farmers and their ethanol subsidies, that's what. #EOS

GreaterNYCDude says

In my experience most of the ideas in popular mechanics are pie in the sky and never come to fruition. It's as much hype as it science.

That's the general experience.

zzyzzx says

Scientists Accidentally Discover Efficient Process to Turn CO2 Into Ethanol

My hillbilly relatives have been converting atmospheric CO2 to ethanol for decades:

Plant corn and barley that takes CO2 from the air and creates sugars in the kernels.
Smash the corn and mix it in a tub of hot water, later add the barley malt and yeast.
After a few days, heat the "beer" and distill it, using a 49 Ford radiator as a condenser.
Viola, ethanol!

Onvacation says

Translation: They grew plants and burned them to power generators in a way that went through a whole bunch of processes and spent a whole bunch of research money.

Sounds like a glorified boy scout campfire.

HeadSet says

zzyzzx says

Scientists Accidentally Discover Efficient Process to Turn CO2 Into Ethanol

My hillbilly relatives have been converting atmospheric CO2 to ethanol for decades:

Plant corn and barley that takes CO2 from the air and creates sugars in the kernels.
Smash the corn and mix it in a tub of hot water, later add the barley malt and yeast.
After a few days, heat the "beer" and distill it, using a 49 Ford radiator as a condenser.
Viola, ethanol!

Unless you screw it up just a bit and make methanol, and go blind from drinking it, Hillbilly style.

rocketjoe79 says

Unless you screw it up just a bit and make methanol, and go blind from drinking it, Hillbilly style.

Rare when distilling corn. Anyway, the test is a blue flame. If it has a yellow flame use it for cleaning the windshield. Even so, I do not like moonshine as it is unhealthy even without accidental methanol or lead.