However, silicon has several drawbacks as an alternative to carbon.
This means silicon is very similar to carbon in its chemical characteristics.
"All organic matter is reduced to carbon, and there was this apocalyptic feeling in the air," he said.
The ratio of copper to carbon are each better suited for a particular purpose.
In this respect, sulfur is second only to carbon.
She began her research by determining what materials would have to be added to natural carbon to make it an effective filter.
The plant material itself is converted to black carbon.
Many businesses are now looking to carbon offset all their work.
Either way, committing to carbon cutting ourselves is a necessary part of the process.
"If you look to the future, there is going to be a day when we have standards of some kind pertaining to carbon," he said.