The present invention relates to an average-density-adjustable structure and more specifically provides a structure the average density of which is adjusted by changing the material of the structure and the size of a void formed therein and which can thereby float on the surface of or in a liquid and can easily bond with or change a material present in a gas or liquid by being equipped with a first material, which is one among an organic catalyst, an inorganic catalyst, a microorganism, and a biomolecule.

Disclosed are nanostructures such as carboxysomes that encapsulate RubisCO and carbonic anhydrase to provide a protected environment to maximize CO.sub.2 assimilation. Conditions are disclosed were RubisCO can be sequestered into a variety of self-assembling nanotubes. The encapsulated protein was enzymatically active and was clearly associated with the nanotubes and removed from solution based on a number of criteria. These nanostructures were also found to enhance the stability of RubisCO toward proteases and other environmental factors. These structures can be used in scalable CO.sub.2 conversions and other processes.

Processes, methods, and apparatus for carbon sequestration utilizing catalysis schemes configured to provide high concentrations of hydrated CO.sub.2 in proximity with a sequestration agent are provided. Reactants are combined with catalyst such that at least two regions of controlled catalytic activity form encompassing at least the interface between a sequestration agent and an aqueous solution containing dissolved CO.sub.2. Suitable reactants include various sequestration agents, catalyst, and carbon dioxide dissolved in an aqueous solution (seawater, for example). Possible products include bicarbonate and metal cations.

Use of Sulfurihydrogenibium sp. carbonic anhydrase (SspCA) or mutants thereof for catalyzing the hydration reaction of CO.sub.2 into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions or catalyzing the desorption reaction to produce a CO.sub.2 gas is provided.

Provided are a dehalogenase variant, a polynucleotide encoding the dehalogenase variant, a recombinant microorganism including a genetic modification that increases dehalogenase activity, a composition including the recombinant microorganism, and a method of reducing a concentration of fluorinated methane using the recombinant microorganism.

Autonomous localized permeability material systems are provided that can include: a dynamically permeable porous material; and immobilized reagents operatively associated with the porous material in sufficient proximity to trigger a localized change in material pore size upon reagent reaction. Methods for preparing these materials are also provided as well as methods for autonomously modifying localized permeability of material.

A mineral carbonation process, characterized in that the silicate feedstock is thermally activated by using heat generated from the combustion of fuel prior to reacting the activated slurry feedstock with carbon dioxide.

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the amount of CO.sub.2 in a carbon dioxide-containing source by using a regeneratable ion exchange material.

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the amount of CO.sub.2 in a carbon dioxide-containing source by using a regeneratable ion exchange material as well as to the use of a regeneratable ion exchange material for reducing the amount of CO.sub.2 from a carbon dioxide-containing source.

Provided are a recombinant microorganism including an exogenous gene encoding a soluble methane monooxygenase protein, a composition including the soluble methane monooxygenase, which is used for removing CH.sub.nF.sub.4-n (n is an integer of 0 to 3) in a sample, and a method of reducing a concentration of CH.sub.nF.sub.4-n in the sample.