Nine research projects are getting a federal funding boost to advance methods and potentially reduce costs to capture and store carbon from the air, also known as direct air capture (DAC).

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said it has granted $24 million to universities and national labs across the country. The aim of the projects is to find ways to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a key part of the Biden administration’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Finding ways to remove and store carbon directly from the air is an absolute necessity in our fight against the climate crisis,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “This investment in carbon capture technology research through universities and DOE laboratories will position America as a...