
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has become increasingly prominently in global policy discussions and media reports, and many experts regard CCS as an important component of efforts to address climate change.
University of Tulsa College of Engineering & Computer Science alumnus Matthew Crall (MS ’17, PhD ’19) is one of the scientists currently breaking new ground in CCS technology. Crall is a materials development engineer and charter member of Spiritus in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company’s goal is to develop, build, and operate plants that capture CO2 from the air – also known as direct air capture (DAC) – and then sequester it underground.
“My efforts focus on engineering and testing new sorbent materials that capture CO2 and then release it on demand, so that the sorbent can be reused to capture more CO2 for thousands of cycles,” Crall explained. He also collaborates with Spiritus’ plant-design engineers to ensure the sorbent is compatible with their designs.
The main point of Crall’s DAC research is to help reduce the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels. “At Spiritus,” he noted, “we see DAC as a critical part of changing humanity’s stewardship of the global climate as companies and countries transition to greener energy solutions.”
Originally from Arkansas, Crall credits his graduate studies in TU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering as “absolutely amazing preparation for my career. I was pushed to be independent and creative, while the research opportunities I had were interesting, relevant, and challenging.” While he extols the support he received from all the department’s faculty, Crall regards his adviser, Professor Michael Keller, as “a truly exceptional mentor. From Day 1, there was constant discussion of the path I needed to be on to achieve my future goals.”

Prior to Spiritus, Crall’s path following graduation from TU took him to Los Alamos National Laboratory. There, he undertook three years of postdoctoral studies centered on materials development for national security applications. These included additively manufactured silicone materials, heat shields for re-entry vehicles, and ultra-high strength-to-weight ratio foams with unique microstructures.
Today, when he’s not busy tackling climate change through DAC innovations, Crall unwinds by running through the wide-open New Mexico countryside. And in somewhat less intense pursuits, he also enjoys hanging out with his miniature dachshund and playing music on his guitar.
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