MIT Technology Review Unveils Under 35 Innovators Shaping Climate Tech

MIT Technology Review has revealed its latest '35 Innovators Under 35' list, highlighting nine young individuals who are making significant strides in the climate and energy sector. These researchers and inventors are advancing fields such as energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and critical materials, offering insights into the current state and future direction of climate technology.

Highlights

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is being leveraged to improve energy efficiency and pollution tracking in climate solutions.
• Sustainable methods for extracting and processing critical minerals like lithium and copper are under development.
• Innovative furnace technologies are being created to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in heavy industries, such as steel production.
• Bio-plastics and fish feed made from food waste are emerging as circular economy alternatives to fossil fuel-derived materials.
• Solid refrigerants that eliminate leakage concerns and reduce energy consumption are being developed as replacements for conventional refrigerants.

Details

Among the featured innovators, Jae-Won Chung has developed software to enhance AI's energy efficiency. Jing Wei is using AI to track pollution more effectively by filling data gaps from diverse sources like satellites and weather stations. Zhonghua Zheng has created AI climate models that are better suited for cities, addressing a known blind spot in traditional models.

In the realm of critical materials, Mohammad Alkhadra, co-founder of Lithios, is focused on quickly and efficiently extracting lithium from brines. Benjamin Mowbray, CTO of Rock Zero, is working on extracting lithium from hardrock ore. These efforts aim to address the potential shortage of lithium, a vital component for electric vehicles and energy storage.

Heavy industry, particularly steel production, accounts for approximately 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Laureen Meroueh is simplifying the chemical process for cleaner, cheaper steel production using a new type of furnace. Joseph Nguthiru is developing a bio-plastic alternative to fossil-derived packaging from an invasive weed, while Diana Orembe is making fish food for aquaculture from food waste. Jinyoung Seo is creating solid refrigerants that could eliminate leakage worries and reduce energy consumption by 20% compared to conventional technology.

Why it matters

These innovations are crucial in the fight against the global climate crisis and in achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The creative solutions offered by these young inventors across energy, materials, and industrial processes demonstrate promising steps towards building a sustainable future. The integration of AI and circular economy approaches into various sectors highlights the significant potential of climate technology moving forward.