Fajer Mushtaq

❗Funding for early stage carbon dioxide removal (#CDR) startups❗ 🔊 Milkywire’s latest Call for Proposals is live, inviting early-stage CDR suppliers to step forward and drive innovation. 🤔 What makes this call unique? Alongside Frontier, it’s one of the only initiatives specifically designed to support very early-stage CDR suppliers. It’s about more than purchases, it’s about expanding the ecosystem, sparking innovation, and ensuring no promising solution is left behind. By the numbers: ✅ 230 submissions were received in last year’s call, evidence of the growing momentum in this space. ✅ Milkywire, Frontier, and Microsoft lead the way as the most active buyers in the ecosystem, purchasing from more suppliers than anyone else. ✅ First buyers matter: Milkywire were the first buyers for: 80% of Direct Air Capture (#DAC) companies 85% of Enhanced Rock Weathering (#ERW) projects 75% of Ocean and River Alkalinity Enhancement suppliers (#OAE) 📊 To date, Milkywire, WRLD Foundation, and Klarna have purchased credits for €6m from 27 suppliers across 9 methods, many of which are shaping the future of carbon removal. 🥅 The goal? Not just offsetting but building a durable carbon removal ecosystem that delivers scalable impact. 🔗 Apply now by January 19th 2025: https://lnkd.in/gTrW4pPN 👏 Shout-out to Robert Höglund und his team for their continuous efforts to scale the Climate Transformation Fund.

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#CircularEconomy in the #cocoa sector. Scientists at the ETH Zurich federal technology institute have discovered a method to make chocolate healthier and more sustainable by utilizing the entire cocoa fruit, not just the beans and pulp. Their innovative process includes using the cocoa pod husk, specifically the endocarp (the inner layer of the fruit shell), and combining it with some pulp to create a sweet cocoa jelly. This mixture can replace granulated sugar in chocolate. This new approach allows cocoa farmers to generate additional income by selling not only the beans but also the dried juice from the pulp and the endocarp, which can be ground into powder. This creates three value-creation streams from the cocoa fruit, enhancing sustainability. By using parts of the cocoa pod that would typically go to waste, such as the endocarp, the process reduces environmental impact. It decreases land use and the global warming potential associated with chocolate production. While the new chocolate requires more processing, the overall carbon footprint is lighter due to the reduced need for cocoa beans and the resulting lower land use. This development highlights the potential for cocoa farmers to diversify their products and increase their income, promoting a more sustainable and profitable cocoa industry. ETH Zurich has filed a patent for this cocoa-fruit chocolate recipe, marking a significant step towards commercial production. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d7TjHvrd

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It's encouraging to see water start-ups emerging in Europe and attracting investment from traditional climate funds. Formerly Grimm Water Solutions, the rebranded Pluvion closed a €1 million pre-seed financing round to scale a software solution to help detect, locate and forecast foreign water infiltration in sewer networks. It was great to connect with Luis Sperr from kopa ventures about the fund's first investment into water tech through Pluvion. The organisation will join a session at the Aquatech Innovation Forum on March 11 entitled 'New money, new thinking: Welcoming new investors to the world of water' (more info on this 👉 https://shorturl.at/TLXzY). #water #investment #innovation #startups #climate Via: EU-Startups https://lnkd.in/eTSmgSkQ

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Here's to the boring stuff that will make all the difference! When world leaders gather in #NY on climate week to raise the alarm bells on what we can do more, sooner - freshwater is the answer. This disproportionally productive carbon sink is one if the main keys the world holds to fighting global warming. There's not a moment to lose! #water #envirinment #globalwarming #climateweek

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Processing Biochar Can Be A Messy Reality My first biochar production run was quite the eye-opener! As you can see, I ended up looking like I'd worked as chimney sweep. This experience taught me a few valuable lessons: ➡️ Dust Containment is Critical: Fine biochar particles can quickly become airborne, leading to loss of material and potential health hazards. ➡️ Post-Processing Equipment Must Be Dust-Tight: To prevent material loss and maintain a safe working environment, post-processing equipment needs to be designed to minimize dust leaks. Collaborating with industry experts can help overcome these challenges and streamline your biochar production process. Considering post-processing for your biochar project? Let’s connect and discuss how we can help. #Biochar #Pyrolysis #RMS #rollermill #efficiency #carbon

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AGU2024 meeting: all things CDR welcome at this exciting-looking session. Abstract due in 5 days! GC040 - Carbon Dioxide Removal at scale: Science, technology, policy, and market Invited speakers: Rory Jacobson, DOE/Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Office Jay Fuhrman, Pacific Northwest National Lab Submit an Abstract to this Session (abstract deadline Wednesday, July 31, 2024; AGU meeting 2024, Dec. 9-13, Washington DC) To meet the Paris climate goals, CO2 will need to be removed from the atmosphere at rates of up to 10GtCO2/y. The nascent field of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) encompasses nature-based, technological, or hybrid solutions. For example, utilizing and storing biomass or modifying ocean alkalinity can lead to increase in carbon sinks. Some traditional natural solutions are limited by land availability and risk of reversal, i.e., a ???durability problem???. But some methods are more reliable than others. Technology-based solutions hold promise, but are slow at scale-up to climate relevant volumes. Also needed are hybrid technology-enhanced natural solutions, involving major management interventions.?? This session solicits contributions on everything CDR, including 1) new scientific and technical advancement, 2)?? monitoring, verification, and reporting (MRV), 3) critical assessment and synthesis of CDR technologies, 4) impact of large-scale CDR deployment on the Earth system and society, and 5) policy and market implications. Primary Convener Ning Zeng University of Maryland College Park Conveners Jessica N Cross Pacific Northwest National Laboratory David John Beerling University of Sheffield Matthew Eisaman Yale University

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📣 Calling on all carbon dioxide removal (#CDR) innovators! 📣 🚀 The two most important CDR accelerators are both open to applications right now. First, remove's Accelerator Program – originally focused on Europe which recently expanded to India as well. Why Choose Remove? 💰 Non-Dilutive Funding: Secure €20,000 in recoverable grants, with zero equity claim. 📚 Comprehensive Coaching: Gain 9 months of mentoring from technology and policy experts, leading CDR buyers, verification bodies, and fundraising professionals. 🔗 Unrivaled Network: Access a community of over 350 connections in the European CDR ecosystem. 🌟 Proven Impact: Join the ranks of 100+ startups that have collectively raised over €130M in funding, created ~1.3K jobs, and where 30-40% have female founders – significantly above the startup average. 🎯 Wide Reach: Attracting applications from over 65% of European countries, with strong representations from Germany, the UK, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and France. Next, AirMiners Launchpad Accelerator Program is focused on founders of early-stage CDR companies looking to rapidly gain traction for their business goals through a six-week intensive program. What to expect:  🗣️ How to communicate your value to customers and investors 💱 Understanding the market and ecosystems 🤝 Negotiation skills 💸 Demystifying fundraising and capital acquisition 🕰️ Time management and how to handle other common startup stressors The results speak for themselves:  👥 Over 700 applicants 💰 More than 130 teams have graduated and raised over $100 million (as of mid 2023)  🏆 Graduates have gone on to win the XPRIZE Milestone awards ⭐ Frontier has purchased from 5 Launchpad graduate teams 📅 Deadlines: - August 15th for Airminer’s Launchpad Accelerator: https://lnkd.in/daJ--MaB - August 25th for Remove’s India Programme: https://lnkd.in/daFENjgY - September 9th for Remove’s Europe Programme: https://lnkd.in/djwJK298 🙌 Huge shout out to the remove and AirMiners teams: Marian Krueger, Matheus Miraglia, Hans Westerhof, Rawan Gebran, TITO JANKOWSKI - AIRMINER, Jason Grillo, Adina Mangubat, and Debra Greywolf. #carbonremoval #accelerator #climatechange #netzero

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Gongsheng — ancient wisdom on our entangled reality, acknowledging that the conditions of life are created through mutual dependence: "Gongsheng derives from the biological concept of symbiosis in which organisms are not singular entities of defined individuality, but can only “live together” in co-dependence, the generative thriving of each conditioned by the other. Translating this notion into philosophical terms, BI China Director Bing Song writes that the traditions of “Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism all contributed to the modern notion of gongsheng, which speaks to the conviction and the worldview of mutually embedded, co-existent and co-becoming entities. The notion of gongsheng, shaped by these traditions, behooves us to question the validity of the notion of an individual being as a self-contained and autonomous entity and reminds us of mutually embedding, co-existent and entangling planetary relations. It also inspires within us reverence and care toward creatures, plants and other co-inhabitants and even inorganic things in the natural surroundings.” Gongsheng is rooted in the common ontology, or foundational belief about the nature of being, of all three ancient philosophies. In Confucian thought, alignment with the natural order of the cosmos, of which humans are an indivisible part, is the ethical basis for a harmonious society. Daoism posits the “oneness of all being,” in which opposites co-exist and determine each other. Buddhism sees that forms and appearances, not least the individual, are an illusion that disguises the unity and “dependent origination” of all phenomena, which are inextricably connected." #interbeing #symbiosis #regeneration #philosophy

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This review explores biochar’s role in enhancing geopolymers and alkali-activated materials, offering sustainable construction alternatives. Biochar improves mechanical strength, durability, and thermal insulation but requires further research to optimize integration and address variability due to different feedstocks and pyrolysis conditions. #Biochar #Pyrolysis #CarbonCapture

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SEED Launch CBD COP16 – Monday 28th LinkedIn Post 🐣Yesterday, at COP16 in Colombia, Crowther Lab | ETH Zurich introduced the SEED Biocomplexity Index – a groundbreaking new tool developed by scientists that provides a standardized measurement of the state of nature for any terrestrial pixel on Earth. Climate change and biodiversity loss threaten the future of our planet. Ultimately, these global challenges are underpinned by our tendency to value individual parts of nature at the expense of everything else. By valuing only the parts that we use for food, textiles, timber, medicines, energy, we then propagate these parts at the expense of everything else. If we are going to build a sustainable future on this planet, then it is critical that we begin to value, and measure the whole complexity of nature over its individual parts. 🦜SEED is the first globally-standardized biodiversity metric designed to reflect the full complexity of nature, accounting for biodiversity across the ecosystem, species, and genetic levels. This holistic approach, combined with its accessibility and transparency, makes SEED a powerful tool for decision-makers, companies, investors, and conservationists alike. 🌱 You have the chance to become an early adopter! SEED is currently in its beta phase, welcoming a select group to pilot and help co-develop the tool. Get in touch – [email protected] 🛠️ Learn more about SEED: https://lnkd.in/e5BNb94S #SEED #biodiversity #climateaction #COP16 #naturetech

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mPROSS: a new web-accessible server for designing membrane proteins to improve expression levels. Membrane proteins, including receptors, channels and transporters, are critical for many cellular processes and are a dominant class of drug targets. Yet, they are incredibly frustrating for experimental analysis due to low expression levels. In recent years, the PROSS design algorithm developed by our lab to stabilise the protein native state has been demonstrated to address difficult stability and expressibility problems in many families of soluble proteins, leading to dozens of publications and patent filings. But the plasma membrane imposes very different physical constraints on proteins, and it is not clear that improving native-state stability would not adversely impact membrane-protein trafficking, quality control, and activity. In this recent paper, Jonathan Weinstein (now at Scala Biodesign) developed a membrane version of the PROSS method using empirical measurements of membrane insertion that we previously generated. In a close and productive collaboration with Izhar Karbat and Chandamita Saikia from Eitan Reuveny's lab, he applied the new method, mPROSS, to a voltage-gated potassium channel. This is a highly dynamic and oligomeric channel that poses significant challenges for design. Yet, the four designs they experimentally tested exhibited improvements of as much as 14-fold in plasma membrane functional expression. Eitan's lab used cutting-edge electrophysiological measurements in oocytes to show that the designed channels showed the same conductivity and voltage dependence as the starting point channel despite having 9-26 mutations. This demonstrates, at the single-channel level, the high reliability and accuracy of the design algorithm. Such large improvements in functional expression of membrane proteins open exciting opportunities for addressing other problems in membrane-protein engineering. I'm especially curious whether mPROSS would work effectively in receptors, such as #GPCRs. This is another class of highly dynamic membrane proteins that pose extreme challenges for characterisation. You can now access mPROSS directly through the web server or contact me if you're uncertain how to apply it to your favourite protein. More broadly, combined with the results from PROSS, this work suggests that optimising native-state stability is key to improving thermal stability and expressibility in all proteins. #proteindesign #proteinengineering #biotechnology #membraneproteins #ionchannel

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🇩🇪 Interested in carbon dioxide removal (#CDR) in Germany? 👉 Momentum is building for CDR in #Germany ahead of the upcoming election in 2025. Thankfully, two excellent new resources have been launched for those keen to keep their finger on the pulse: 📑 The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action launched a dedicated page for its CDR Strategy, the Langzeitstrategie Negativemissionen, or LNe for short. It has great details, including the timeline and process for its development (aiming for adoption in April 2024 ahead of the election): https://lnkd.in/dzB-yYC6 🤩 The Deutscher Verband für negative Emissionen e.V. (DVNE) - Germany’s CDR association - just launched their new website, including a new resource and insights section, ideal for those who want to stay up to date with the development of the German CDR ecosystem: https://dvne.org/ No secret here, I am very bullish when it comes to Germany and CDR. The country has got all the ingredients needed to become a leader: 💚 A history of progressive climate policy, including a current pro-CDR administration 💰 The fourth largest economy in the world (#1 in Europe) 🧑‍🎓 Leading academics, both on R&D and climate science 👷 A thriving CDR ecosystem with the most companies and jobs created out of any country in the EU, and second only to the U.S. 🤔  What is your take? Are you as optimistic about the future of German leadership in CDR? #netzero #nettonull #carbonremoval

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🖤 Interested in using biochar carbon removal (#BCR) as part of your sustainability strategy? 🤓 Don’t miss out on this year’s German Biochar Forum, to be held in Berlin on November 18th-19th. You will be able to learn everything you need to know about BCR, its role in policy today, and how exactly you can leverage it within your own net-zero strategy.  While I will personally sadly not be able to make it, you will be able to meet and listen to some of my favourite colleagues: 🏗️ Carbonfuture’s Anna J. LEHNER will be talking about how to implement the insetting of biochar in construction products within the framework of Environmental Product Declarations (#EPD).  🏛️ Deutscher Verband für negative Emissionen e.V. (DVNE)’s Managing Director Stefan Schlosser will be discussing the role of BCR in Germany’s carbon dioxide removal (#CDR) strategy. 🇩🇪 German Biochar e.V. (Fachverband Pflanzenkohle e.V.)’s Vice Chairwoman Carolin Güthenke, who also serves with me on the Board of Deutscher Verband für negative Emissionen e.V. (DVNE), will be hosting the event 👀 Check out the full programme and sign up today here: https://lnkd.in/dGhxJhWd 🚀 BCR is picking up pace right, left, and centre. Time to get up to speed on the latest and start your own BCR journey. #carbonremoval #biochar #netzero #climatepolicy #germanbiochar #bcr

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🌟 Next-Level Antibacterial Membranes with Hybrid Power! 🦠 🌟 Kudos to the team at the University of Basel for their impactful new research, "Hybrid Planar Copolymer Membranes with Dual Functionality against Bacteria Growth!" Summary & Conclusion 📊 This research unveils membranes with dual-action capabilities, combining antifouling poly(ethylene oxide) with antimicrobial peptides to repel and eliminate bacterial biofilms effectively. These hybrid membranes are promising candidates for medical devices like implants or dental applications, offering customizable solutions by attaching various biomolecules. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gjWkmBsG Special recognition goes to Azido-PEG3-amine, provided by BroadPharm, for its critical role in membrane formation and fluorescence-based bacterial detection—enabling a new frontier in antimicrobial surface design.   🌐 Discover Azido-PEG3-amine as well as other PEG and click chemistry solutions to elevate your research or products to the next level! 🔗 Azido-PEG3-amine —> https://lnkd.in/giBhsxmn 🔗 Other PEG linkers —> https://lnkd.in/gJdXDQfi 🔗 Other click chemistry reagents —> https://lnkd.in/gwF7x9He #Bacteria #Antibacterial #PEG #PEGylation #PEGLinker #PEGreagent #BioConjugationLinker #PROTACLinker #MaleimideLinker #ClickChemistryLinker #ClickChemistry  #ClickChemistryReagent #DBCO #Alkyne #Azide #BCN 

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Highlighting our recent published work showing the potential of metal organic framework (MOF) for solar-thermal application. https://lnkd.in/eX8sJ5Yy

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NREL team evaluates sustainability pathways for perovskite photovoltaics. Researchers at NREL have examined how metal halide perovskite photovoltaics (MHP-PV) could scale a sustainable supply chain while appreciably contributing to a global renewable energy transition. They evaluated the critical material concerns, embodied energy, carbon impacts and circular supply chain processes of MHP-PVs. https://lnkd.in/dVP3sZfk #perovskite National Renewable Energy Laboratory

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An exciting paper discovery. What is the carbon footprint of 1 ton of CO2❓🤓 I recently stumbled upon a fascinating paper that aims to provide insights into the carbon footprint of captured CO2. It contains some surprising findings 🌍🔍. 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: The study reveals that the carbon footprint of CO2 as a feedstock varies significantly based on the source and energy demand for capture. Surprisingly, these footprints range from -0.95 to -0.59 kg CO2 eq. per kg of CO2 today, and -0.99 to -0.98 kg CO2 eq. in a low carbon economy. This variation is primarily due to the wide range of methodological choices in current Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) practices. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Anthropogenic CO2 emissions are driving global warming, and capturing CO2 for use in chemicals, fuels, or polymers is usually sold as part of the solution. However, to make a real impact, we must prioritize the most environmentally beneficial CO2 sources. This paper emphasizes the importance of using consistent LCA methodology to avoid making poor decisions in carbon capture and utilization (CCU). 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲: An experienced LCA practitioner is crucial for navigating these complexities and ensuring that we identify the best methodological approach. A consistent and rigorous application of LCA standards can lead to better decision-making and more effective emission reductions. #Sustainability #ClimateChange #CarbonFootprint #LifeCycleAssessment #CCU #GHGEmissions #EnvironmentalImpact #GreenEconomy https://lnkd.in/dBQryYAY

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More than 99 percent of the most widely produced chemicals aren’t sustainable; their production is based on fossil raw materials and consumes more natural resources than the Earth can provide in the long term. This is the conclusion of a sustainability analysis developed at ETH Zürich which for the first time provides absolute figures on the global environmental impact of the chemical industry, not only focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, but their study also takes land use and freshwater consumption into account. So we need to keep plastics into the economy. This tool - developed by UCSB’s Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory- explores the effectiveness of different policy interventions to curb plastic pollution both regionally and globally: https://lnkd.in/ePCKUA6p. Capping virgin production, using recycled content, and transitioning to Reuse/Refill systems are among the most effective policy instruments. To all brands and retailers passionate about sustainability, let's team up! Whether you’re looking to set up new reuse and refill systems or scale up existing ones, let’s connect and discuss how we can work together to create a cleaner, greener future. Reach out to us to schedule a meeting or a call to explore partnership opportunities. 🌏♻️ #EPPIC_plastics #PlanetVsPlastics #closetheplastictap #responsibleinvesting #impactinvesting #investingforchange #systemschange #systemicinvesting #sustainableimpact #sustainability #oceanplastic #circulareconomy

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What is Microplastics? Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that result from both commercial product development and the breakdown of larger plastics. As a pollutant, #microplastics can be harmful to the environment and animal health. Officially, they are defined as #plastics less than five millimeters (0.2 inches) in diameter There are two categories of microplastics: primary and secondary. 1) Primary microplastics are tiny particles designed for commercial use, such as cosmetics, as well as microfibers shed from clothing and other textiles, such as fishing nets. 2) Secondary microplastics are particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water #bottles. This breakdown is caused by exposure to environmental factors, mainly the sun’s radiation and ocean waves. Some of this #environmentalpollution is from littering, but much is the result of storms, water runoff, and winds that carry plastic both intact objects and microplastics into our oceans. #Singleuseplastics plastic items meant to be used just once and then discarded, such as a straw are the primary source of #secondaryplastics in the environment. Microplastics have been detected in marine organisms from plankton to whales, in commercial seafood, and even in drinking water. Alarmingly, standard #watertreatment facilities cannot remove all traces of microplastics. To further complicate matters, microplastics in the ocean can bind with other harmful chemicals before being ingested by #marineorganisms. Lets think about it 💡 MPs killing our oceans. It's entering into our bodies in the fish we eat. When #plastics do break down, they don't biodegrade; rather, they break into increasingly smaller pieces, many of which end up in the oceans as microplastics that harm #aquaticlife and birds. #MPs #Microplastic #PlasticPollution #OceanConservation #SaveThePlanet #Ecofriendly #3R #Sustainabililty #EnvironmentalSciences

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