Breaking news

Amazon To Test AI-Created Material For Carbon Capture In Data Centers

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 4, 2024

Amazon is stepping up its environmental efforts by testing a groundbreaking carbon-removal material for its data centers. The company, which is tackling the growing emissions linked to the artificial intelligence systems powering these centers, has partnered with Orbital Materials, a startup that used AI to design the innovative substance.

Jonathan Godwin, CEO of Orbital Materials, explained that the new material acts like an atomic-level sponge, with cavities precisely sized to capture CO2 without interacting with other elements. This targeted approach could be a game-changer in carbon filtration.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

One of the appealing aspects of the new material is its cost-effectiveness. Godwin estimates that the material could account for just 10% of the cost associated with renting a GPU chip for AI training, significantly less than the price of traditional carbon offsets.

Meanwhile, the demand for energy in data centers is rising, as AI’s rapid development requires more power and cooling solutions. This surge poses a challenge for Amazon, which is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud provider by revenue, plans to begin piloting the AI-designed carbon removal material in one of its data centers starting in 2025. This initiative is part of a three-year collaboration with Orbital, which will also gain access to AWS’s technology and open-source AI tools for further development.

Howard Gefen, General Manager of AWS Energy & Utilities, stated that the partnership would promote sustainable innovation, but financial details remain undisclosed. Orbital, with offices in Princeton, New Jersey, and London, began its journey about a year ago by setting up a lab to synthesize AI-designed materials. The startup aims to work with AWS to test additional AI-generated solutions, addressing water usage and cooling requirements in data centers. Godwin co-founded Orbital, which currently employs 20 people and is supported by investors such as Radical Ventures and Nvidia’s venture arm. Before this, Godwin contributed to materials science work at Alphabet’s DeepMind until 2022.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

EU Wind Turbine Production Reaches Highest Level In A Decade

European Wind Turbine Production Rebounds

European wind turbine production reached its highest level in a decade in 2024, according to Eurostat data, reflecting renewed growth in the sector after several years of relatively stable output. The figures were published in Eurostat’s 2026 edition of Key Figures on European Business, which examines developments across industries including manufacturing, technology, investment and tourism.

Rising Production Statistics

Wind turbine production fell sharply from 22,200 units in 2014 to 8,300 units in 2015 before stabilising between 6,800 and 12,000 units annually over the following years. Output increased significantly in 2024, reaching 15,500 units and marking the highest level recorded since 2014.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Economic Impact And Strategic Imperatives

The value of wind turbine production reached €10.4 billion in 2024, highlighting the sector’s growing role within European manufacturing. Eurostat noted that production data for renewable energy technologies provide insight into industrial capacity, supply chains and Europe’s efforts to strengthen energy security. As the EU continues to expand renewable energy generation, domestic manufacturing remains an important factor in reducing dependence on external suppliers.

Driving A Resilient Future

The latest figures illustrate how the European wind turbine industry has recovered following a prolonged period of lower production levels. Growth in manufacturing capacity comes as EU policymakers continue to prioritise renewable energy investment and the expansion of clean energy infrastructure across the bloc.