by Stephen Chapman
South Shields-based MAC SciTech has developed a carbon capture system for use on long-term space exploration.
The company has now joined the UK Space Agency’s Leo programme having patented the technology which processes carbon dioxide to be used on lunar space stations, space hotels and on the surface of Mars, as well as industrial applications on earth.
“This all stems from an idea late last year when we were looking at what was happening in the world around carbon capture and space exploration,” explained Michael Maughan, who has a PhD in chemistry from the University of Durham and set up MAC SciTech in 2012.