40 students from across EPFL, organised in sub-teams and coordinated by a committee of two co-presidents and a treasurer.
The chemistry team, searching for the best CO₂ adsorbents.
Panoramix brings together students from chemistry, materials science and environmental science, from early bachelor to PhD level.
The team works with our partner labs on everything from simulations and process modelling to the search for the ideal adsorbent: high CO₂ capacity and selectivity, but also thermal stability, moisture tolerance and a low regeneration cost.
The first module, capturing CO₂ directly from the air.
Astérix is the first stage of our direct air capture process. Its adsorbents trap CO₂ from ambient air and release it when heated, raising the concentration from about 400 ppm to around 1%.
The team works on the machine’s performance and on the control code that runs it.
The second module, purifying CO₂ with graphene membranes.
Idéfix uses graphene membranes only one atom thick, which filter the gas molecule by molecule and bring CO₂ purity up to 95%.
The module is designed to work on its own too: it can be installed directly at a factory outlet. The team works on the module’s electronics and fluid dynamics.
Our learning programme, where newcomers learn by building.
Didactix is the Carbon Team’s learning programme. No prior experience is needed: members learn prototyping hands-on alongside the technical teams.
Assessing the real impact of DAC and sharing our work.
Sustainability assesses the environmental impact of our prototypes through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), including maintenance, recycling and lifespan. This year, it also studies the broader effects of DAC, such as rebound effects, resource use and large-scale deployment, to identify where it is truly beneficial.
Communication runs our LinkedIn, Instagram and website, and organises events to share our progress, raise awareness and connect with partners.
The link between Astérix and Idéfix.
Pneumatix connects our two modules: it adapts the CO₂-enriched flow leaving Astérix so that it matches what Idéfix needs.
The team is paused this year.