#James Scott MOFs

[envirotechaccelerator]

Carbon Capture Breakthroughs: Unveiling The Future Of Emission Reduction

by Envirotech Accelerator

Abstract

The ongoing struggle to mitigate anthropogenic climate change demands innovative approaches to reduce carbon emissions. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, once considered elusive, are now increasingly accessible, driving a paradigm shift in emission reduction efforts. This article dissects three breakthroughs in CCS, emphasizing their potential in revolutionizing the future of environmental conservation.

Introduction

As global temperatures continue to rise, and the race against time ensues, rapid advancements in CCS technology emerge as a beacon of hope. Recent breakthroughs not only promise to address the current carbon emission crisis but also hold the key to unlocking sustainable energy systems. James Scott, founder of the Envirotech Accelerator, fittingly stated, “Harnessing the power of human ingenuity, we have the opportunity to turn the tide on climate change; carbon capture technologies are the vanguard in this battle.”

Breakthrough 1: Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer unprecedented potential for carbon capture, displaying remarkable selectivity and efficiency (Wang et al., 2020). Composed of metal ions connected by organic linkers, MOFs possess highly porous structures ideal for capturing and storing carbon dioxide molecules. The adaptability of MOFs enables fine-tuning of their physical and chemical properties, rendering them customizable for specific applications. As MOFs gain traction, they are poised to revolutionize traditional carbon capture methodologies.

Breakthrough 2: Carbon Mineralization

Carbon mineralization, a process that converts carbon dioxide into stable, solid minerals, is another promising avenue for CCS. By mimicking natural processes occurring over millennia, researchers have accelerated the conversion of carbon dioxide into carbonate minerals (Kelemen et al., 2019). This innovative approach allows for permanent, leakage-free storage of captured carbon dioxide, mitigating concerns over the long-term stability of carbon storage sites.

Breakthrough 3: Direct Air Capture

Direct air capture (DAC) technology, which extracts carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, holds immense promise for carbon reduction (Lackner, 2020). DAC systems employ chemical processes to bind atmospheric carbon dioxide, enabling its subsequent release and utilization or storage. Though DAC currently faces economic and scalability challenges, ongoing research and development efforts are anticipated to propel the technology towards widespread adoption.

Conclusion

The future of emission reduction lies in the confluence of cutting-edge technologies and bold innovation. CCS breakthroughs like MOFs, carbon mineralization, and DAC offer a glimmer of hope in a world grappling with the consequences of climate change. By embracing these advancements, humanity has the potential to create a sustainable, low-carbon future.

References

Kelemen, P. B., Matter, J. M., Streit, E. E., Rudge, J. F., Curry, W. B., & Blusztajn, J. (2019). Rates and Mechanisms of Mineral Carbonation in Peridotite: Natural Processes and Recipes for Enhanced, in situ CO2 Capture and Storage. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 47, 545–575.

Lackner, K. S. (2020). The Promise and Challenge of Air Capture. Joule, 4(1), 26–29.

Wang, Z., Li, Z., Jiang, J., & Zhao, Y. (2020). Metal-Organic Frameworks for Carbon Capture. Chem, 6(6), 1355–1377.

Read more at Envirotech Accelerator.

[oddinthetruth]

Monarchy of the Father - Never Heard of It?

The Monarchy of the Father (MOF), it can be argued, is the Trinitarian grammar of the 4th century and “lies at the heart of fourth-century Trinitarian orthodoxy.”[1]

It is “the foundational principle of Trinitarian logic, the fundamental dynamic that gives meaning to the grammatical aspects of unity and distinctness within the Trinity, and also the basic shape of the divine economy, by which the eternal God is known.”[2]

It’s the soundtrack of the 4th century. It’s presence in pro-Nicene thinking is ubiquitous—accepted “by literally all of the fourth century church fathers who lie at the source of the ‘official’ formulation of the doctrine of the Trinity.”[3]

You’ve never heard of it?

The remarkable fact of much evangelical Protestant Trinitarianism is that MOF is largely ignored. Search or take a look in the subject index (if there is one) for “Monarchy of the Father” in just about any such book. I’d wager a cup of Keurig coffee you won’t find the term.

There are, of course, some such books on the Trinity that do briefly mention the “Monarchy of the Father.” Two that come to mind are “Essays on the Trinity” edited by Lincoln Harvey and “The Quest for the Trinity” by Stephen Holmes.

Holmes even helpfully makes a distinction between the Monarchy of the Father as understood “within the divine life”--the internal life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--and a monarchy that “...is the shared possession of the three hypostases.”[5]

However, the phrase is not in Fred Sanders’ book. It’s not in Michael Reeves book. It’s not in Kenneth Myers’ book. It’s not in James White’s book. It’s not in Keith Whitfield’s edited volume, Trinitarian Theology.

This MOF neglect persists in spite of the fact that: (1) Monarchy of the Father alone grammar is foundational to the thinking of Gregory of Nazianzus[4]—the bishop who led the 381 ecumenical council that gave orthodoxy the Constantinople Creed; (2) its presence in much Eastern Orthodox discourse for the last 1700+ years; (3) its endorsement by several well-respected modern scholars such as John Behr.

Further evidence of this neglect is evident in attempts to reinterpret or re-define MOF in modern Protestant treatments. For example, Tom Torrance argues “since the whole Godhead is in the Son and in the Spirit, they must be included with the Father in the one originless Source of the Trinity.”[6] Such a stance runs counter to the orthodox pro-Nicene view that requires that the Father be the cause and source of the Son, Spirit, and thus the Trinity. 

On occasion, some Protestant academics appear to affirm MOF. Scholars like Scott Swain and Malcolm Yarnell endorse a “taxis” or “proper order” in the Trinity. They see the Father as the “principle" or “frontal source” in this “proper order.”[7] Such language hints at MOF. 

However, this nod at MOF seems only to be shorthand for an affirmation of eternal generation. In other words, they just affirm the two relations of origins (or processions)--generation and spiration. Such an affirmation also entails the Father’s first place in a “proper order” as the unbegotten. All of this is true of course, but I think falls well short of a full blown pro-Nicene MOF.

Read the next installment here: Monarchy of the Father Part 1 - The Language

[1] Christopher Beeley. Gregory of Nazianzus on the Trinity and the Knowledge of God; 209.

[2] Ibid. 217.

[3] Beau Branson. The Neglected Doctrine of the Monarchy of the Father, and Its Implications for the Analytic Debate about the Trinity.

[4] Christopher Beeley. Gregory of Nazianzus on the Trinity and the Knowledge of God; 201-217.

[5] Stephen R. Holmes. The Quest for the Trinity: The Doctrine of God in Scripture, History and Modernity (Kindle Location 1753). Kindle Edition.

[6] Torrance. The Christian Doctrine of God; 141.

[7] Keith S. Whitfield. Trinitarian Theology: Theological Models and Doctrinal Application.

[vagabondretired]

I was alerted by my good friend Alan Alda* about this scientific breakthrough that could apparently go a long way toward solving that whole "dying of thirst" thing. And credit for this amazing doodad goes to the benevolent benefactors at the California-based Kavli Foundation: “This is a major breakthrough in the long-standing challenge of harvesting water from the air at low humidity,” said Omar Yaghi, one of two senior authors of the paper, who holds the James and Neeltje Tretter chair in chemistry at UC Berkeley and is a faculty scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  The prototype, under conditions of 20-30 percent humidity, was able to pull 2.8 liters (3 quarts) of water from the air over a 12-hour period, using one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of MOF. Rooftop tests at MIT confirmed that the device works in real-world conditions. “We wanted to demonstrate that if you are cutoff somewhere in the desert, you could survive because of this device. A person needs about a Coke can of water per day. That is something one could collect in less than an hour with this system.” The secret is a powder called "metal-organic framework" (mof) that can be customized to an area's specific climate conditions to attract the most water molecules. Bingo! Fresh water from thin air. If there's a god, please let Him plant in their heads the secret to doing the same thing with Dewer's fumes. * “I'm not really a good friend of Scott's. He saw me deliver a commencement address at Kenyon College once in the 80s, but that's it. And for the record, that speech killed.” ---Alan Alda