Air We Go: Houston, We Have a Solution!

"What if we had a magical sponge to clean the air? At the University of Houston, scientists made it a reality! Some gases in the atmosphere, called greenhouse gases (GHGs), act like a heat-trapping winter jacket for our planet, preventing us from freezing, yes, but also trapping us in an oven if they accumulate too much. Let's sponge them out! GHGs can be captured using advanced porous materials that work like microscopic sponges. In this talk, discover how cutting-edge materials and Earth science come together to tackle a critical issue for our future—starting today.

Houston is famous for space shuttles and sprawling freeways—but it’s also notorious for ozone pollution. While ozone high up in the atmosphere protects us from harmful UV rays, at ground level it’s a health hazard. In this talk, we’ll dive into how ozone forms, why it’s particularly tricky in coastal cities like Houston, and highlight how this science supports smarter policy decisions and ultimately cleaner air for all Houstonians. Come for the science, stay for the gases that affect our daily lives—no lab coat required.