I like the idea of using novel biological methods to capture carbon. Maybe we will end doing something like that, and I know you're just spitballing here, but the economics of scaling microbiology tools is very wasteful in terms of environment.

The inputs for petri plate growth have a demanding level of refinement. Pure sugar, yeast extracts, salts, gelling agent, all dissolved in D.I. H2O. Sterility requires autoclaves which are energetic monstrosities. Without these conditions the culture will become contaminated and overgrown with stuff you don't want.

Innovation could solves these problems, but it's going to be hard.