Foundational Research and Technology
We fund scientific research to systematically assess the conditions under which OAE can safely and permanently remove CO2 from the air.
What We’re Doing
The goal of our focus on foundational research and technology development is to evaluate whether ocean alkalinity enhancement can deliver safe, cost-effective, and permanent CO2 removal at scale while developing the technology needed to overcome major challenges.
To seek answers to these questions systematically and quickly, we’re advancing several areas of research and development, which are tightly integrated.
Foundational Research
We fund the world’s leading scientists to determine whether and how ocean alkalinity enhancement can sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide in the ocean. We have committed almost $25 million in research and technology development projects across the globe. These research teams include dozens of world-leading experts on subjects ranging from geochemistry to ecotoxicology to physical oceanography.
Technology Development
We have made $6.3 million in grant funding to five university and startup teams for the development of prototype technologies to overcome the most critical known bottlenecks and cost drivers of OAE.
This includes the development of an alkalinity delivery system; enhancements to acid neutralization and olivine dissolution of electrochemical OAE; development of sensors that can autonomously measure alkalinity and pH of seawater; and a reactor that converts limestone into a more-easily dissolved form.
