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From Scientific Vision to Scalable Reality
Carbon Collect is a technology leader developing innovative solutions to reduce global carbon emissions. The MechanicalTree™ marks a breakthrough in Direct Air Capture (DAC) by using natural airflow to capture CO₂. This eliminates the energy-intensive, fan-driven systems used in conventional DAC technologies. The Passive Direct Air Capture (PDAC) approach is more sustainable, scalable, and energy-efficient, with a modular design engineered for scalability and transportability. It can be deployed across a wide range of geographies and climate conditions worldwide.
The MechanicalTree™ is built on the foundational research and intellectual property developed by Professor Klaus Lackner at Arizona State University (ASU), a global pioneer in Direct Air Capture. This foundational work established the scientific basis for passive DAC. Carbon Collect was the first to develop a low-temperature thermal vacuum swing system, regenerating at temperatures well below 100 °C, and to introduce advanced non-metallic materials that simplify production and improve durability. These innovations enable DAC to scale more efficiently than the metal-intensive, fan-driven systems typical of earlier designs, advancing the technology from laboratory research to practical, commercial deployment.
The Gen-II MechanicalTree™ represents a major milestone, addressing challenges that have limited the scalability and cost-effectiveness of earlier DAC systems. Built with lightweight, non-metallic materials, it achieves significant gains in efficiency and environmental performance, reducing lifecycle emissions and lowering capture costs toward our goal of under $200 per ton by 2030.
Engineering Carbon Removal
Carbon Collect takes a technology-first approach to Direct Air Capture, focusing on engineering excellence and continuous innovation before large-scale deployment. The MechanicalTree™ is a patented system, developed through extensive research and design optimization to deliver a uniquely passive, modular, and energy-efficient solution for capturing CO₂ from ambient air. Our engineering program has already engaged over 130 specialists and technical contributors, drawing on expertise in mechanical and process engineering, sorbent science, composite materials, control systems, and modular manufacturing design. This multidisciplinary foundation now extends to the development of AI and Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) tools that will enable future Smart DAC systems to self-optimize performance, energy use, and maintenance cycles across large-scale deployments.
The Global Warming Problem
Carbon Collect's MechanicalTree™ is a modular Direct Air Capture solution, designed for versatile deployment across diverse geographies and climate conditions to combat climate change. Unlike other systems that rely on forced convection using energy-intensive fans, the MechanicalTree™ leverages natural wind to deliver CO2 to the capture system, making it a more sustainable and efficient alternative.
Video explainer - a simple explanation of climate change from the New York Times.


