Core Insights - The article discusses the development of an "artificial ocean carbon cycling system" that captures CO2 from seawater and converts it into valuable chemical products, addressing both ocean acidification and carbon neutrality goals [1][4]. Group 1: Carbon Capture Technology - The research focuses on efficient carbon capture from seawater, overcoming challenges such as membrane swelling and electrode contamination that limit traditional methods to less than 10 hours of continuous operation [2]. - A new electrochemical carbon capture device was designed, achieving over 500 hours of stable operation with a CO2 capture efficiency exceeding 70%, and a cost of approximately $229.9 per ton of CO2 captured, which is significantly lower than current industry standards [4]. Group 2: Bioconversion of Captured CO2 - The research team developed a "microbial cell factory" that utilizes formic acid, derived from captured CO2, to produce biodegradable plastic monomers such as succinic acid and lactic acid [5]. - Stable carbon isotope labeling experiments confirmed that the carbon atoms in succinic acid originated from the initially captured CO2, demonstrating the system's potential for sustainable material production [5]. Group 3: Future Industrial Applications - The research team aims to create an integrated "green factory" that continuously captures CO2 from seawater and converts it into green plastic materials, showcasing the industrial potential of the system [6]. - The system could produce a diverse range of products, including biodegradable straws, packaging materials, and environmentally friendly detergents, contributing to the reduction of ocean acidification and promoting a circular economy [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the development of an "artificial ocean carbon cycling system" that combines electrocatalysis and biocatalysis to capture CO₂ from seawater and convert it into valuable chemical products, addressing both ocean acidification and carbon reduction goals [2][3][4]. Group 1: Research Overview - The research was conducted by a collaboration between the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology and the University of Electronic Science and Technology, focusing on a novel strategy for carbon capture and conversion [2][5]. - The system captures CO₂ from natural seawater with an efficiency of over 70% and can operate continuously for over 500 hours [3][4]. - The captured CO₂ is converted into formic acid using a high-activity bismuth-based catalyst, which is then transformed into biodegradable plastic monomers [3][4]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - A new electrolytic device was designed to overcome challenges such as electrode passivation and salt deposition, enhancing the efficiency of carbon capture [3]. - The engineered bacteria developed can efficiently metabolize high concentrations of formic acid, producing key monomers for biodegradable plastics [3][4]. Group 3: Industrial Applications - The research demonstrated the feasibility of scaling up from laboratory to pilot levels, successfully producing biodegradable plastics like PBS and PLA [4]. - The project aims to create an integrated "green factory" along coastal areas, continuously capturing CO₂ and converting it into green plastic materials [4]. - The platform has the potential to expand into a variety of products, including organic acids and surfactants, serving multiple industries such as materials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food [4].

Core Insights - The article discusses the development of an "artificial ocean carbon cycling system" that integrates electrocatalysis and biocatalysis to capture and convert CO2 from seawater into valuable chemical products, addressing both ocean acidification and carbon reduction goals [3][4][6]. Group 1: Research Overview - The research was conducted by a collaboration between the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, resulting in a system that captures CO2 from seawater and converts it into intermediates for biomanufacturing [3][4]. - The system demonstrates a complete chain from CO2 capture to the production of materials and molecules, showcasing a scalable platform for interdisciplinary integration [4]. Group 2: Key Technological Innovations - The electrocatalysis team developed a novel electrolytic device that operates continuously for over 500 hours in natural seawater, achieving a CO2 capture efficiency of over 70% and producing hydrogen as a byproduct [6]. - The cost of capturing one ton of CO2 is approximately $229.9, indicating a promising economic outlook for practical applications [6]. Group 3: Biocatalysis Development - The biocatalysis team created a "supercell" capable of efficiently utilizing formic acid, derived from captured CO2, to produce biodegradable plastic monomers [7][8]. - The engineered bacteria can convert formic acid into succinic acid and lactic acid, which are core monomers for biodegradable plastics [8]. Group 4: Industrial Applications and Future Plans - The research has led to the synthesis of fully biodegradable PBS and PLA, demonstrating the potential for industrial applications in converting seawater into green materials [9]. - Future plans include establishing integrated "green factories" along coastal areas to continuously capture CO2 and convert it into green plastic raw materials, contributing to sustainable production models and supporting the "blue economy" [9].