Current Research

Carbon Capture

Carbon capture technologies remove CO₂ from point sources, including the exhaust of industrial processes, e.g., power generation, cement and steel production, and more. UK IDEA is developing technologies to reduce carbon emissions and improve the efficiency and economic viability of these technologies. UK IDEA also explores the commercial and technical viability of advanced gasification technologies, particularly how to reduce carbon emissions from these plants.

Check out our current research in carbon capture

Carbon Dioxide Conversion and Utilization

CO₂ is a very stable molecule. Beyond capture and storage, at UK IDEA, we explore options for turning CO₂ into new products to enable a carbon economy cycle.

View the Conversion and Utilization Projects

Hydrogen Production and DAC

Direct air capture (DAC) involves removing CO₂ directly from the atmosphere instead of a point source with a higher concentration, such as an industrial process’ flue gas. In order to offset the capture cost, hydrogen, a high-valued commodity, is simultaneously produced as a product within the same process.

Learn about our Hydrogen Production Project

Water Treatment

Water is an invaluable commodity for life activities. It is needed for agricultural, residential, recreational, commercial, and industrial use. Water treatment involves reducing or removing contamination from water for end use and minimizing the volume of waste created. UK IDEA is engineering the next generation of water treatment and separation technologies to promote water re-use and improve energy efficiency.

Read about our water treatment research

Material Recovery

Industrial activities create waste products and streams that can contain valuable materials. UK IDEA employs environmentally friendly thermal, hydro, and electrochemical techniques to cost-effectively recover these valuable materials from spent batteries, photovoltaics, and industrial streams in requisite purity for re-use. 

Find out more about material recovery

Renewable Energy Analytics

UK IDEA partners with utility and energy providers by using historical and real-time data relevant to renewable energy production to help optimize performance, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability. 

Find out more about renewable energy analytics

Evaluation of Geologic CO2 Storage Potential at LG&E and Kentucky Utilities Cane Run Generating Station, Jefferson County, Kentucky

John B. Hickman, Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky

A preliminary assessment of the geologic CO2 sequestration potential was made for an area surrounding the LG&E-KU Cane Run Generation Station in Jefferson County, Kentucky.

Learn more about CO2 sequestration potential