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David Hopkinson
PAIGE KOCOUREK
TIM FORD
A passion for the outdoors is often accompanied by a dedication to preserving them , and David Hopkinson , technical portfolio lead for point source carbon capture at the National Energy Technology Laboratory ( NETL ), is proof of this eagerness to both explore and protect the planet .
By day , Hopkinson performs administrative work and develops state-ofthe-art technologies that aid in carbon capture and , in turn , reduce emissions .
“ Carbon capture broadly means capturing carbon dioxide ( CO2 ), the world ’ s dominant greenhouse gas , from some source — like steel plants , cement plants or electric power production — and then extracting that CO2 from the gas emitted , concentrating it into a purified form and injecting it into deep underground wells for permanent storage as a method for mitigating CO2 emissions ,” says Hopkinson .
One way of extracting CO2 from gas emissions is by using a semipermeable membrane — one of Hopkinson ’ s favorite materials to work with — to absorb CO2 from the gas stream and create a concentration of it to be safely stored .
“ I design these membranes and work to come up with better membranes that cost less and take less energy to get the job done ,” he says . “ We are at a critical crossroads in trying to tackle climate change . I think one of the big misconceptions is that there is one solution . There isn ’ t . The solutions are highly multifaceted . It will take a compilation of many technologies in order to solve this problem , and industrial sources like steel and cement manufacturing won ’ t go away . CO2 emissions are an inherent part of these processes , so carbon capture will play a major role .”
When Hopkinson is not immersed in his cutting-edge work , he is a devoted husband and father , as well as the president of the Coopers Rock Foundation , where he spearheads countless projects to maintain , preserve and improve Coopers Rock State Forest for generations to come .
Coopers Rock is the largest state forest in West Virginia and sits just 12 miles from Morgantown . With stunning overlooks and over 40 miles of trails to traverse , the forest is a welcome spot for families and adventurers year-round . Coopers Rock offers an experience unlike any other , and it could not be done without its foundation leaders and volunteers .
“ I am a trail runner , so I am all about the trails . When I first started going to Coopers Rock , I got lost every time . One of my frustrations was poor signage , and so I helped put out a lot of new trail signs and , eventually , build some new trails ,” says Hopkinson . “ Today , trail maintenance is a constant , year-after-year commitment to keeping them functional and nice to use . The trails are what make Coopers Rock so important .”
For Hopkinson , what started as nothing more than a fitness regimen in graduate school soon became a treasured hobby . This inspired him to start the annual Coopers Rock 50k and half marathon trail race in 2016 .
“ I started the race for a variety of reasons . One goal is , of course , a fundraiser for the foundation . More than that , there really was no ultramarathon in Morgantown . I felt like it was the perfect venue for a trail race ,” he says . “ I felt like it was something the running community needed , and I wanted to bring more people to Coopers Rock .”
While this fundraiser and the trails hold a special place in Hopkinson ’ s heart , he works diligently toward all aspects of stewardship at the forest . Hopkinson is thrilled about the recent completion of the new park entrance sign — a project he has been working on since being part of the foundation . It is a modern reconstruction of a historic entryway sign that had been built in the 1930s . Beyond being a homage to the forest ’ s history , it is a wonderful way to welcome visitors . Although it was no small feat , Hopkinson persisted throughout the process , working alongside various government entities , engineers and contractors .
“ Patience , perseverance and the willingness to keep on something for as long as it takes are the most important aspects of trying to make a difference at a place like Coopers Rock ,” he says .
Hopkinson ’ s efforts do not stop here . He actively works toward repairing and maintaining park facilities , and outside of his work at Coopers Rock , he volunteers as a moderator for the West Virginia Regional Science Bowl and provides technical direction for professional research staff .
An outdoor enthusiast and innovator , Hopkinson ' s work has crucial implications for both West Virginia and the world . •
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