An Australian university team developing technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) and converts it into useful products in a single process has won one of the country’s leading science awards.
The C2X team from RMIT University in Melbourne, led by Professor Tianyi Ma, received the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology.
The award recognises technologies with the potential to deliver benefits beyond the laboratory, with RMIT saying the C2X system could provide a pathway to producing lower-emission fuels and value-added chemicals from captured CO2.
Unlike conventional carbon capture and utilisation processes, which typically involve separate capture and conversion stages, C2X integrates the two into a single process.
According to RMIT, this could reduce costs, energy losses and engineering complexity associated with conventional systems.
The technology has already been demonstrated with Victorian industry partners, including major industrial emitters and biogas manufacturers.
A component of the team’s 3 kW carbon conversion prototype device. ©Will Wright, RMIT University
Ma said the recognition highlighted the importance of moving carbon conversion technology from fundamental research towards practical industrial applications.
“More importantly, it validates the importance of translating fundamental science into practical technologies that can make a real difference to industry and the environment,” he added.
RMIT has developed the C2X technology over several years, with the team now working to scale the technology and pursue commercial deployment.
A 3 kW carbon conversion prototype has been developed as part of the project. The university said the technology could ultimately be used to produce lower-emission fuels and chemicals from captured CO2, with jet fuel among the potential future applications.
The next stage will be moving beyond prototype development and towards larger-scale deployment.
Hart Bioenergy is supporting the project as a major supply chain partner, while Resi Ventures is an investment partner.
The team is also working with technology manufacturers, major CO2 emitters and venture capital partners as it seeks to commercialise C2X.
