An international team of researchers has developed a new way to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) from factory exhaust directly into a valuable fuel ingredient without first separating or purifying the gas. By limiting these side reactions, the system directs nearly all of the captured CO₂ into producing carbon monoxide (CO). Although carbon monoxide is toxic, it is also an important industrial chemical. When tested using a simulated industrial exhaust containing 15% CO₂ and 8% oxygen, the system converted almost all of the CO₂ into carbon monoxide with extremely high selectivity. The researchers say their work demonstrates that useful chemicals can be produced directly from dirty factory emissions without costly gas-cleaning steps.