Two striking statistics highlight this challenge. First, in 2021, no country in the world has met the air quality standards set by WHO. And second, the same organization estimates that air pollution is responsible for her one in nine deaths worldwide annually. Using green power will make it possible to combat this nearly invisible enemy that comes primarily from fossil fuels. But there are many other solutions to air pollution.
Mechanism of air purification by mycelium
The use of fungi in sustainable construction has already featured prominently in several past articles. Moreover, such an approach has its own name – mycotecture. Now Brunel Design students have come up with sustainable applications for these enigmatic creatures.
Named Myco-Hex, these are modular hexagonal tiles integrated like a honeycomb. cell.of Main ingredient is mushroom mycelium, has explosive growth ability and other characteristics. First, it can absorb up to 80% of the carbon dioxide in the air. Second, it traps large amounts of floating hydrocarbon particles. This property has already been proven in the cleanup of oil spills in the Niger Delta.
In addition to mycelium, this solution to air pollution has a compartment in which nutrients are stored, initially based on wood sawdust. However, it is possible to use other raw materials such as coffee grounds or compost from organic waste.
Dealing with Air Pollution is Essential for Airways and Skin care: Hydrocarbon particles can cause ailments such as psoriasis, eczema, and even skin cancer.
As shown in previous articles, mycelium-based structures also Fire resistance and thermal insulationThus, it can protect building facades and purify the air.
Other solutions to air pollution
electric mobility Technology is part of the main solution to air pollution, but there are also complementary technologies that can reduce air pollution. Here are some of the most impressive things we’ve seen recently.
moss eating pollution
Along with mycelium, vegetation is one of the most common solutions to air pollution. Unfortunately, cities often don’t have enough space for green spaces. This is where the moss wall installed by a German company comes into play.they can Absorbs carbon dioxide and pollutant particles from the air No soil required, more efficient than wood.
giant vacuum cleaner
Dutch designers have come up with a more drastic solution than moss panels. In his case, it’s a 7-meter-tall vacuum cleaner with a Chinese pagoda-inspired design. Studies have shown that the air in the area where he is installed is 75% cleaner. And that is the energy consumption of the fan in the living room.
A window that traps contaminant particles
What was once an architectural element designed to let in light and air from outside is now integrating more and more features, from solar-powered glass to integrated television screens.Stanford University and Beijing Tsinghua University has joined forces in this field to develop polymer coatings. Spray on window glass.This thin layer of nanofibers can be filtered Removes up to 90% of harmful particles Prevents entry into buildings. This could be another solution to air pollution.
Concrete that grows like plants (and cleans the air)
Green concrete promises to become one of the key assets of sustainable architecture. Several solutions have already been developed based on bacteria or synthetic chloroplasts that mimic photosynthesis and mineralize atmospheric carbon dioxide. That’s not all. Mineralization endows the material with self-healing properties.
As you may have noticed, some of the air pollution solutions mentioned in this article are inspired by nature to enable more sustainable cities. This is known as biomimicry or biomimetics and is the scientific approach behind many sustainable inventions.
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