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Meet Kazumi Muraki, the Japanese chemist who developed a portable carbon capture device and now dreams of being the first man on Mars.

Japanese chemist Kazumi Muraki, now 22, began his journey towards addressing climate change when he was just 15. Inspired by a children's novel, "George's Secret Key to the Universe," Muraki became fascinated by Mars and its potential for human life. He discovered that Mars' atmosphere is predominantly composed of carbon dioxide, which is lethal to humans, prompting him to explore ways to remove carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere.

Realizing that carbon dioxide is also a major contributor to the climate crisis on Earth, Muraki developed an AI carbon capture device named Hiyassy in 2015. The portable device, about the size of carry-on luggage, filters air through an alkaline solution, capturing carbon dioxide and releasing cleaner air back into the environment. Hiyassy is designed for both home and office use, enabling individuals to contribute to combating global warming.

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“I found that (the) Martian atmosphere is (made) of 95% of carbon dioxide,” which is lethal to humans. He adds, “if we want to live on Mars, we have to remove Martian carbon dioxide.”

He realized his research to remove carbon from Mars’ atmosphere could also be helpful here on Earth. “Carbon dioxide is the main cause of the climate crisis,” he says, adding that removing it from the air is one way to curb it.

Having successfully captured carbon dioxide, Muraki has now set his sights on the next step: converting the captured carbon into a usable fuel source. According to CNN, he established the Carbon Recovering Research Agency, headquartered in Tokyo, to work on this innovative technology. The goal is to create a diesel fuel from the captured carbon, potentially offering an alternative to traditional fossil fuels. He believes this groundbreaking fuel could be available within the next year or so.

Despite his significant contributions to combating climate change, Muraki remains unwavering in his dream to set foot on Mars. The inspiration he found in the novel as a young boy continues to fuel his determination to be the first person to land on the red planet.

Muraki's journey from a curious teenager to a pioneering chemist highlights the power of passion and inspiration in driving scientific innovation. His work exemplifies how young minds can play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges. As the world grapples with the urgency of climate change, innovators like Muraki provide hope for a sustainable future.

Eunice is a sustainability writer whose passion is sharing accessible eco-friendly practices with GreenCitizen's global readership. She enjoys birdwatching during her downtime, often deriving inspiration from nature's resilience. An enthusiastic cyclist, she is also an ardent advocate of eco-friendly transport.

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