AspiraDAC has appointed experienced engineer Dr Mahesh Venkataraman as Chief Technology Officer, marking a key step in strengthening its leadership team as it scales the world’s first modular, solar-powered Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology.
Dr Venkataraman will work closely with Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Julian Turecek, to oversee the company’s technology development and commercial progress.
His remit includes managing AspiraDAC’s intellectual property portfolio and liaising with investors, customers, and regulators as the company drives its first DAC project toward commercial deployment.
Holding a PhD focused on the corrosion of nanomaterials, Dr Venkataraman brings more than 15 years of experience across clean energy, power generation, and alternative fuels.
Before joining AspiraDAC, he served in senior leadership roles at 1414 Degrees Ltd, a publicly listed thermal energy storage company, and previously conducted research at the Australian National University in synthetic fuel production.
“I look forward to championing innovation and engineering excellence that align with global emissions targets and sustainable growth as we deliver this pioneering project,” said Dr Venkataraman.
AspiraDAC is developing carbon removal technology designed to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it permanently in geological formations.
Unlike traditional DAC systems that require grid energy or fossil fuels, AspiraDAC’s modules are powered entirely by solar energy.
The company’s modular approach enables deployment close to sequestration sites, reducing the need to transport captured CO2 and opening pathways to cost efficiencies as production scales.
There are a growing number of DAC initiatives worldwide, but few are as focused on combining renewables with modularity.
AspiraDAC’s work leverages Australia’s favourable solar conditions and proximity to deep geological reserves suited for long-term CO2 storage, placing the company in a strong position to support the nation’s net zero goals.
The company is also assessing opportunities in other regions with similar infrastructure potential.
Turecek said the appointment of Dr Venkataraman comes at a pivotal point as AspiraDAC advances the development and scaling of its technology.
“I’m delighted to have someone of this calibre joining the company at such an exciting stage of our growth,” he said.
“With Mahesh’s leadership guiding our engineering program, we will continue progressing AspiraDAC’s carbon removal and storage solutions and set the pace in DAC innovation globally.”
AspiraDAC’s system is designed as a compact solution that uses less than 10 per cent of the land area required by nature-based projects such as reforestation to remove an equivalent amount of CO2.
The company’s modular units can be placed independently in remote areas, supporting flexible deployment and scalability in line with future demand.
“From nature-based solutions to engineered carbon removal at scale, reaching net zero will demand every tool available,” concluded Turecek.
“Through collaboration, innovation and integrity, we can play a strong role in tackling hard-to-abate emissions and creating a truly sustainable future.”
AspiraDAC describes itself as a progressive and flexible employer committed to values of respect, leadership, excellence, collaboration, and flexibility.
The company continues to expand its team as it builds the next generation of carbon capture solutions.
