Stardust Solutions, a 2023‑founded Israeli firm, unveiled laboratory data on micron‑sized silica‑coated particles that could reflect sunlight and cool the planet. The company has attracted $75 million in venture capital and filed a patent while preparing peer‑review articles.

In a lab chamber near Tel Aviv, the team demonstrated that the particles are biodegradable and non‑toxic. Critics argue that any atmospheric intervention risks disrupting monsoon patterns and could undermine climate‑policy incentives.

The firm’s chief executive, Yanai Yedvab, said outdoor tests would only proceed under government oversight and that the company has already spent $370 k on lobbying. The technology could spark a new market for geo‑engineering services, but regulatory hurdles and scientific skepticism loom.

Stardust’s approach contrasts with sulfur‑based aerosols that damage ozone. By using food‑grade silica and calcium carbonate, the company claims to avoid those side effects, positioning itself as a cleaner alternative in a field dominated by speculative ideas.