ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT AYEBARE BRIAN , A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
Mbarara University of Science and Technology Kihumuro | Mbarara, Uganda | Advancing SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 13 & UNAI 6
" Engineering gives me the tools to turn ideas into solutions that improve lives. I am excited to join the Millennium Fellowship because it offers a platform to amplify my impact, collaborate with like-minded change-makers, and align my work with the UNAI principles and SDGs. Through this fellowship, I aim to strengthen my leadership, refine my project implementation skills, and create sustainable innovations that empower communities and drive meaningful social transformation. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Automated Carbon Capture and Neutralization System
This project focuses on the Development of Automated Carbon Capture and Neutralization System in Uganda with aim of address the growing environmental challenges of carbon emissions which contribute significantly to global warming, air pollution and public health issues.in 2023,global carbon emissions rose by 1.1% to reach 37.4 gigatons,with fossil fuel combustion being a primary source .Uganda’s industrial growth and urbanization have also exacerbated local carbon emissions, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.
This project propose a real time automated system designed to capture and neutralize carbon emissions efficiently and economically. The system employs a multi-faceted approach, incorporating a motorized fan with fine strings to increase the surface area for capturing emissions, a neutralization tank using sodium hydroxide solution to chemically treat carbon dioxide and sponge material for filtration.The system is automated using a smoke sensor and arduino-controlled processes to ensure optimal performance in varying industrial environments.
The methodology involves designing, fabricating and testing the ACCNS prototype under controlled laboratory conditions. Key parameters such as emission density, temperature and pressure are measured before and after the neutralization process to determine system efficiency. Initial experiments include calibrating smoke sensors and testing the performance of components such as the motorized fan and sodium hydroxide dispersal mechanism.
A comprehensive risk assessment identifies potential challenges such as high energy consumption, system malfunction and ecological impacts of the residue sludge from the neutralization process. Mitigation strategies include integrating renewable energy, regular maintenance and environmental safeguards, the risk matrix categorizes risks based on their likelihood and impact, ensuring proactive management to enhance the systems reliability.
This project aligns with Uganda’s National Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce greenhouse emissions by 24.7% by 2025 and support global efforts to mitigate climate change.
By addressing the limitations of existing carbon capture technologies such as complexity and high costs, ACCNS provides a scalable and sustainable solution to industrial carbon emissions setting a benchmark for similar interventions globally.
About the Millennium Fellow
Ayebare Brian is a driven and socially conscious Mechanical and Industrial Engineering student from Uganda, passionate about leveraging engineering innovation to address pressing societal challenges. As a leader of a Millennium Fellowship competition, he has mobilized and mentored fellow students to develop impactful projects that promote sustainable development and social transformation. Brian’s work reflects his belief that engineering is not only about machines, but also about empowering communities, creating opportunities, and fostering equity. With a vision of becoming a transformative engineer, he is committed to designing solutions that uplift lives, advance sustainability, and inspire future generations.
