Inside Baker Hughes' Institute for Decarbonisation Materials
The overlap between the sustainability sector and expert research is huge, especially when it comes to the development of new climate technologies.
To understand this, one need only see the work currently being done by the University of Tokyo, where a new form of plastic that dissolves on contact with seawater has recently been developed.
Now, US energy giant Baker Hughes has planted its flag firmly in the world of academia by establishing a new research institute on the Berkeley campus of the University of California, an institution with its own dedication to climate action.
The Baker Hughes Institute for Decarbonisation Materials will aim to utilise the arcane knowledge of some of the world's brightest minds in the company's push to accelerate the development and commercialisation of its new energy management technologies.
As Professor Ananya Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor of the Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence in India, says: "Universities are not only knowledge providers but also knowledge creators and, therefore, can become champions of sustainable development."
Baker Hughes' newest R&D endeavour represents a real investment in this philosophy.
A bold vision for sustainable innovation
The newly established institute, housed within UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry, will focus on creating the next generation of materials for a range of energy and industrial applications.
Specifically, Baker Hughes wants to develop carbon capture, utilisation & storage (CCUS), clean hydrogen and advanced power generation technologies.
The Houston-based energy firm will fund the research and collaborate closely with UC Berkeley scientists to shape these programmes, based on market needs and emerging trends.
“Innovation, collaboration and partnership are critical to building the diversified portfolio of technology solutions necessary to meet the energy demands of today and tomorrow,” says Chris Pin Harry, Vice President of Technology, Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes.
“Partnering with UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry is an important step forward in our commitment to sustainable energy development.”
This institute represents a major step forward in connecting academic breakthroughs with practical industrial applications, ensuring that promising discoveries are scaled effectively to meet global challenges.
Leading the charge: Professor Jeffrey Long
The institute will be led by Professor Jeffrey Long, a globally recognised expert in materials science and the C. Judson King Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at UC Berkeley.
Jeffrey’s pioneering work with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has already shown significant promise in adsorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants from industrial emissions. His leadership is expected to drive impactful innovations in advanced materials design.
“Our aim is to make materials that not only adsorb gases more efficiently, but also without high energy requirements,” says Jeffrey. “As chemists, we know how to adjust materials at the atomic level, but we need partners like Baker Hughes who can scale and industrialise the technology.
"Lowering emissions is an urgent task, and I am confident that together, we can make scalable, commercially relevant materials that can quickly hit the market and make a difference.”
How to transform emissions technologies
The institute’s initial research projects will focus on advanced material development, such as refining the chemical structures of MOFs.
These efforts will also include innovative gas separation and chemical conversion systems to make emissions management more efficient and cost-effective.
A significant part of the research will look at how AI and machine learning could be applied to speed up the discovery and invention of climate technologies.
By harnessing computational power, researchers aim to unlock transformative solutions at unprecedented speeds.
The ultimate goal is to develop materials that are not only effective but also commercially viable, ensuring that cutting-edge research translates into tangible climate solutions.
How Baker Hughes is building the foundations for sustainable innovation
This partnership is not the first connection between Baker Hughes and Jeffrey Long's lab. Mosaic Materials, a start-up spun out of Jeffrey's research, was acquired by Baker Hughes in 2022.
Since then, Mosaic Materials has been at the forefront of direct air capture (DAC) technology, and its pilot units are already undergoing testing to so they can reach commercial deployment.
Now, this institute reflects Baker Hughes’ belief in Jeffrey's work, as well as the company's broader commitment to advancing climate technologies that can efficiently reduce or eliminate emissions across multiple industries.
A promising path forward
The combined expertise of Baker Hughes and UC Berkeley, the Baker Hughes Institute for Decarbonisation Materials is poised to make significant contributions to sustainable energy development.
As the urgency of global decarbonisation grows, partnerships like this provide a model for how businesses and universities can work together to create scalable, impactful solutions. By blending scientific expertise with industrial capability, the institute aims to transform ambitious research into actionable technologies that benefit both the planet and the economy.
This alliance sends a clear message: the future of energy innovation lies in bold collaboration and a shared commitment to sustainability.
Baker Hughes' CCUS Vice President, Daniela Abate, believes in this notion wholeheartedly.
"This is a truly exciting moment to experience the impact of collaboration, and I look forward to working together on innovative new solutions for our customers while supporting sustainable energy development for all," she says.
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