Mia and Eric Dahlgren founded Aircela in 2019, building on decades of scientific research in carbon capture and synthetic fuels. What began as an ambitious idea is now a working machine—developed in Manhattan and supported by a growing team of 15 engineers, scientists, and operators pushing the boundaries of what fuel can be.
Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer
Eric is the co-founder and CEO of Aircela, where he leads the development of machines that turn air, water, and renewable electricity into fossil-free gasoline. Prior to founding Aircela in 2019, he worked in the advanced materials industry and was a Visiting Scientist at MIT. He holds a PhD in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University and undergraduate and master’s degrees in mathematics from Lund University in Sweden.
Co-founder, Chief Operating Officer
Mia co-founded Aircela and has served as COO since 2019. She brings both strategic vision and a hands-on approach to the company’s operations, with a focus on brand consistency, clear messaging, and sustainability. She holds a B.A. in Social Sciences from Lund University in Sweden, and ensures Aircela’s mission is reflected in everything from internal systems to external communications.
Leadership & Advisers
Chief Technology Officer
Kristian is the CTO of Aircela, where he leads the technical team and oversees the development of the company’s deployable fuel systems. Before joining Aircela, Kristian served as Global Controls Manager at UTC/Carrier, where he led the development of model-based control systems across multiple business units. He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Lund University in Sweden.
Senior Science Adviser
Dr. Klaus Lackner is a global authority on carbon removal and is widely recognized as the “father of direct air capture.” He serves as the Senior Science Adviser at Aircela and is the inventor of the solid sorbent capture technology used in its machines. He directs the Center for Negative Carbon Emissions and teaches at Arizona State University’s School of Sustainable Engineering. Previously, he was a Professor of Geophysics at Columbia University.