This project explores sustainable CO₂ capture and utilization to enhance mushroom cultivation. Mushrooms are nutrient-rich foods with applications from global food security to space missions, yet current farms often operate under suboptimal CO₂ conditions. The Taste of Research student will improve and test CO₂ adsorbents/module (developed by Decarb-Air, an UNSW Spinout company) to capture and enrich CO₂, boosting mushroom growth. Working with UNSW researchers and industry partners (Vertical Patch and Decarb-Air), the student will gain hands-on experience in system design, adsorbent testing, and performance evaluation (mushroom yield/quality), while contributing to innovative sustainability solutions at the intersection of environmental engineering and food production.
School
Chemical Engineering
Research Area
CO2 capture and utilization | Food science | Sustainable agriculture
Suitable for recognition of Work Integrated Learning (industrial training)?
Yes
- Research environment
- Expected outcomes
- Supervisory team
- Reference material/links
Based in UNSW’s School of Chemical Engineering, the project provides hands-on experience in CO₂ capture, adsorbent testing, and mushroom cultivation. The student will work alongside researchers and industry partners (Vertical Patch and Decarb-Air), gaining skills in sustainable technology and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Taste of Research student will:
- Develop and test at least one solid adsorbent for CO₂ capture;
- Support the Decarb-Air team in conducting a trial at Vertical Patch’s mushroom research farm, advancing the prototype system’s technology readiness from level 3 to 5;
- Assess mushroom yield and quality, including nutrient profile.
Through these activities, the student will gain skills in material development, experimental testing, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration (including market validation), while contributing to sustainable technologies that enhance crop yield and quality.
- https://www.decarbair.com.au/
- https://www.verticalpatch.com.au/
- https://www.foodiq.global/
- Shao, Q., Gan, Z., Ge, B., Liu, X., Chen, C., O’Hare, D., and Zhu, X. (2024). 3D printing of poly(ethyleneimine)-functionalized Mg-Al mixed metal oxide monoliths for direct air capture of CO2. Journal of Energy Chemistry 96, 491-500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2024.05.015.
- Wang, Y., Qu, L., Ding, H., Webley, P., and Li, G.K. (2024). Distributed direct air capture of carbon dioxide by synergistic water harvesting. Nature Communications 15, 9745. 10.1038/s41467-024-53961-4.