Key Takeaways
- Researchers at South Dakota Mines have engineered high‑performance enzymes from extremophile microbes found deep in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) that can capture 100 % of CO₂ from industrial flue gases and mineralize it in minutes.
- The enzyme‑based process works directly at emission sources, eliminating the need for costly pipelines and underground storage wells required by conventional carbon‑capture methods.
- Captured CO₂ reacts with calcium in coal‑ash waste to form calcium carbonate, a usable additive that can strengthen concrete and extend infrastructure lifespan.
- Carbon EnZero, the startup founded by Dr. Tanvi Govil, plans to sell the optimized enzymes while partnering with established engineering firms that design and install the full‑scale scrubber systems.
- Early funding includes a $20,000 win at the South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Business Plan Competition and a South Dakota Board of Regents Competitive Research Grant, supporting pilot‑scale development slated for 2026.
Background and Motivation
For decades, scientists and industry leaders have searched for a carbon‑capture solution that balances environmental sustainability with economic viability. Traditional approaches—such as extensive pipeline networks, deep‑well sequestration, or slow‑acting enzymatic reactions—have struggled to achieve both low cost and high efficiency. The challenge is especially pressing because industrial flue gases account for roughly half of all anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, with 90 % of that stream originating from fossil‑fuel power plants. Recognizing this gap, a multidisciplinary team at South Dakota Mines, led by Dr. Tanvi Govil, turned to an unlikely source of inspiration: microorganisms thriving in the extreme conditions of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) deep beneath the Black Hills.
Discovery of Extremophile‑Derived Enzymes
The research team collected microbes from SURF and other harsh environments across the country, selecting organisms that naturally tolerate high temperature, pressure, acidity, and toxic metal exposure. From these extremophiles, they isolated and engineered the enzymes responsible for the microbes’ innate ability to manipulate carbon compounds. Unlike native enzymes, the lab‑optimized variants retain activity under the severe conditions found in industrial flue‑gas streams, where temperatures can exceed 200 °C and pressures are elevated. This robustness enables the enzymes to function as powerful biocatalysts without the need for delicate temperature control or protective shielding.
Enzyme‑Based Carbon Capture Process
Using the engineered enzymes as biocatalysts, the process contacts flue gas directly at the source, capturing 100 % of the CO₂ present. The enzyme accelerates the chemical reaction that converts CO₂ into stable carbonate minerals, reducing a process that would naturally take years to mere minutes. Because the reaction occurs onsite, there is no requirement for transporting captured gas to remote storage sites, thereby slashing infrastructure expenses and associated energy penalties. The system’s design is modular, allowing it to be retrofitted onto existing smokestacks or integrated into new plant constructions with minimal disruption.
Utilization of Coal‑Ash Waste
A notable advantage of the technology is its synergistic interaction with coal ash, the calcium‑rich byproduct of coal‑fired power plants. When the enzyme‑catalyzed reaction captures CO₂, the liberated calcium from the ash readily combines with the formed carbonate to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). This mineral product is not only a stable sequestration form of carbon but also a valuable additive for concrete. Incorporating calcium carbonate into concrete mixes can improve compressive strength, reduce permeability, and extend the service life of bridges, roads, and other infrastructure—turning a waste stream into a revenue‑generating resource.
From Lab to Commercial Venture
Initially, the project focused on studying the microbes themselves, but the team quickly realized that the true commercial value lay in the enzymes they produce. Consequently, Carbon EnZero was formed to isolate, optimize, and sell these high‑performance biocatalysts. Dr. Govil serves as the scientific founder, while Merle Symes, Mines’ Entrepreneur‑in‑Residence and CEO of Carbon EnZero, leads business development and fundraising. The startup’s model mirrors the “razor‑and‑blade” approach: Carbon EnZero supplies the enzyme “blade,” while partner engineering firms—already experienced in designing flue‑gas treatment systems—provide the “razor,” i.e., the full‑scale scrubber hardware and installation services.
Funding, Milestones, and Pilot Plans
Early validation of the concept earned Dr. Govil first place and a $20,000 award at the South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Business Plan Competition in spring 2026, providing crucial seed money for pilot‑scale development. Shortly thereafter, she secured a South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) Competitive Research Grant—her second such award for this work—to further investigate extremophile enzymes and scale up production. Symes announced 2026 as the intended beta‑launch year, with the Giant Vision proceeds being used to attract larger investors, finalize enzyme formulation, and begin detailed design of a mobile pilot‑scale carbon scrubber. This portable unit will allow the team to test the technology directly at partner industrial sites, gathering real‑world performance data before committing to full‑scale installations.
Strategic Partnerships and Industry Engagement
To de‑risk the commercialization path, Carbon EnZero has already engaged regional industrial partners for flue‑gas samples and coal‑ash specimens used in laboratory validation. Black Hills Energy contributed operational insights during early development, helping the team align enzyme performance with actual plant conditions. The collaboration model envisions engineering firms handling site‑specific design, procurement, and installation, while Carbon EnZero focuses on enzyme supply, quality control, and ongoing technical support. This division of labor leverages existing expertise in heavy‑industry construction and reduces the startup’s capital expenditures, accelerating time‑to‑market.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem at South Dakota Mines
Both Govil and Symes credit the university’s evolving entrepreneurial culture for enabling the translation of laboratory research into a viable venture. Supportive leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration between the Karen M. Swindler Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and other faculties, and a robust network of mentors and funding resources have created an environment where high‑risk, high‑reward projects can flourish. Symes noted that the administration’s push toward entrepreneurship has helped build a “tremendous biological research capability” at Mines, positioning the institution as a hub for bio‑based clean‑technology innovation.
Global Impact and Future Outlook
If successfully scaled, the enzyme‑based carbon‑capture system could reshape the role of fossil fuels in the global energy mix. By converting CO₂ emissions into marketable mineral products directly at power plants, the technology offers a pathway to make coal‑generation cleaner without abandoning the existing infrastructure that many regions still rely on. Symes envisions the process eventually extending beyond the United States to thousands of fossil‑fuel power plants worldwide, potentially revitalizing the coal industry as a “desirable” fuel source through verifiable carbon neutrality. Continued research will focus on enzyme longevity, cost‑effective mass production, and integration with other industrial sectors such as cement manufacturing and steel production, where similar flue‑gas streams and calcium‑rich byproducts exist.
Conclusion
The work emanating from South Dakota Mines represents a rare convergence of fundamental biology, chemical engineering, and entrepreneurial vigor. By harnessing the hardy enzymes of deep‑earth extremophiles, Dr. Tanvi Govil’s team has created a carbon‑capture solution that is both highly efficient—removing 100 % of CO₂ from flue gas in minutes—and economically attractive, thanks to onsite operation, valuable mineral byproducts, and a razor‑and‑blade business model. With pilot testing slated for 2026 and a clear pathway to commercialization, Carbon EnZero stands poised to deliver a tangible win‑win for industry, the environment, and the economy, potentially setting a new standard for sustainable fossil‑fuel utilization worldwide.