Using porous ceramic microspheres, scientists at the Brazilian Federal University of Minas Gerais were able to cut industrial carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent. The next step is to boost the absorption capacity, says Geraldo Magela de Lima, one of the study's coordinators. Carbon dioxide is the main gas that is behind the greenhouse effect.

“We were able to prevent a portion of the carbon dioxide from reaching the atmosphere; now we aim to study the viability of attacking the preexisting gas, adapting the ceramic material so that it scatters and reacts with the carbon gas present in the air,” capturing it, Magela told Tierramérica.

In addition to helping mitigate global climate change, the gas absorbed by the ceramic can be used as an input in the manufacturing of plastics, leather, cellulose and paper.