Hybrid copper-gold nanoparticles convert CO2 - Now researchers at MIT have come up with a solution that may further reduce the energy needed for copper to convert carbon dioxide, while also making the metal much more stable. Co-author Kimberly Hamad-Schifferli of MIT says the findings point to a potentially energy-efficient means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from powerplants. A paper detailing the results will appear in the journal Chemical Communications.