Like wringing out a sponge, a metal–organic framework loaded with structure‐changing light‐responsive groups can squeeze out captured CO2. Because of the groups being structurally integral, there is oscillation between native and excited states. Pairing with CO2 capture from coal‐based power generation could reduce the parasitic energy load of adsorbent regeneration.

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Gas separation technologies for carbon-free hydrogen and clean gaseous fuel production must efficiently perform the following separations: (1) H 2 /CO 2 (and H 2 /N 2 ) for pre-combustion coal gasification, (2) CO 2 /N 2 for post-combustion of coal, (3) CO 2 /CH 4 for natural gas sweetening and biofuel purification, and (4) O 2 /N 2 for oxy-combustion of coal. By utilizing a molecular simulation approach, Monte Carlo procedures, free volume analysis, and continuum modeling, we predict the intrinsic gas permeability and separation properties of several new Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs), a family of the Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). The well defined pore sizes in conjunction with high surface areas make ZIFs prime candidates for molecular sieving. In this work, our calculated intrinsic properties are compared with current experimental results where ZIFs are either grown in dense layers to form pure inorganic membranes on porous supports or dispersed within a polymer phase to form mixed matrix membranes. Consequently, this paper assesses current membrane development according to industrial feasibility targets and highlights the achievable superior separation results for ideal membrane configurations. For example, ZIF-11 is discovered to be capable of sieving H 2 from all of its larger gas counterparts at a remarkable H 2 /CO 2 selectivity of 262 and H 2 permeability of 5830 Barrer, well within the target area for efficient hydrogen production.

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In this paper, the current status of direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) technology has been reviewed. Recent promising advances in the design of fuel cells has resulted in a reprisal of research into the DCFC technology. As a result, more is understood about the roles of species and mechanisms that govern the performance of DCFC systems. Of particular interest to industry and researchers are the direct carbon molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) arrangements, with the bulk of research articles and large-scale investment focused on these DCFC types. However, the variety of fuels used and trialled within these fuel cells is limited. This is especially true for the SOFC arrangement, with the overwhelming fuel of choice for researchers being carbon black and light gases for industry. The application of more readily available and cheaper fuels in this type of DCFC is unassessed. This review addresses this gap in the literature by reviewing all fuels tested in direct carbon MCFC and SOFC systems, in particular critically evaluating low-rank coals and biomass, among other alternative fuels.