The climate summit in Belém, Brazil, faced challenging weather, but engineers continued to make significant strides in climate technology throughout 2025. Various innovative solutions have emerged that could reshape how society addresses environmental challenges. Here are some of the year’s most notable advancements reported by IEEE Spectrum.
Innovative Ammonia Production
Researchers have made groundbreaking progress in ammonia production, a substance vital for agriculture, explosives, and shipping. A team led by Richard Zare and Xiaowei Song implemented a novel device that captures ammonia directly from the atmosphere using wind energy. This passive technology, reported by freelance contributor Alfred Poor in January, operates without the need for batteries, marking a significant step towards more sustainable chemical production.
Combatting Water Contamination
The challenge of “forever chemicals,” a term for pollutants that persist in the environment, has drawn attention from innovative startups. A reported solution involves piezoelectric catalysts that utilize the kinetic energy of water flow to eliminate these harmful substances. Freelance contributor Rachel Berkowitz detailed this energy-efficient approach, which contrasts sharply with traditional systems that rely on mechanical filtration. This method not only conserves energy but also presents a novel application of chemistry to tackle environmental issues.
Revolutionizing Circuit Breakers
The introduction of supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) as an alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) in circuit breakers represents a significant advancement in electrical engineering. High-voltage circuit breakers are essential for modern electrical grids, yet SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for approximately 1 percent of global warming emissions in 2018. Emily Waltz reported on this innovative switch, demonstrating how using supercritical CO2 can help mitigate environmental impact while maintaining electrical safety.
Carbon Capture Challenges
The question of how much carbon society can realistically capture from the atmosphere was explored by contributing editor W. Wayt Gibbs. His work for “The Scale Issue” produced an informative infographic outlining potential underground injection sites for CO2, current capture statistics, and the immense challenges that remain. This exploration underscores the complexity of climate solutions and the need for continued research and investment.
Geopolitical Hurdles in Resource Extraction
Mining Greenland’s rare earth elements, crucial for various climate technologies, poses significant geopolitical challenges. In a guest article, mining consultant Flemming Getreuer Christiansen emphasized that beyond engineering capabilities, political clarity is necessary to unlock these valuable resources. The intersection of technology and politics remains a critical factor in advancing climate initiatives and ensuring sustainable resource management.
In addition to these technological advancements, the importance of balancing technical progress with artistic expression was highlighted. Nicole Millman featured a poem by fiber-optic engineer and poet Steven Searcy, reflecting on the joys of summer and the interplay of technology and nature.
Overall, the innovations showcased at the 2025 climate summit in Belém highlight a promising future for climate technology. These developments not only address immediate environmental concerns but also pave the way for more sustainable practices across various industries. As engineers and scientists continue to collaborate, the potential for impactful climate solutions remains strong.
