IIT Guwahati Develops Process to Capture CO₂ and Produce Bioenergy

# IIT Guwahati Develops Process to Capture CO₂ and Produce Bioenergy ### Why in News? **IIT** Guwahati researchers developed a two-stage microalgae cultivation process that improves both carbon-dioxide capture and production of biomass for bioenergy. ### How does the process work? - Microalgae use CO₂ while growing, so they can simultaneously capture carbon and produce biomass that can be converted into fuels such as biodiesel. - The new process changes CO₂ concentration between two growth stages and adds nutrients to improve biomass production and carbon fixation. - It also promotes natural settling of the algae, reducing the energy needed to separate and harvest biomass — an important cost in algal biofuel production. ### Exam Connect - **Microalgae** → can capture CO₂ and produce bioenergy feedstock - **Bioenergy** → energy derived from biological material