From smart thermostats that can be managed using our cellphones to energy efficient lightbulbs and rooftop solar panels, today’s buildings use a wide range of technology to reduce their environmental impact. In London, a system has been developed which could transform the way buildings look and behave. Architectural and urban design practice ecoLogicStudio has produced what it describes as a "photosynthetic building cladding system." Called PhotoSynthetica, it uses solar energy to take carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants out of the atmosphere. The panels of the system harbor a solution containing algae microbes. In the latest episode of CNBC’s "Sustainable Energy" Marco Poletto, ecoLogicStudio’s director, described how one of the bio-plastic prototypes works. "The sun shines through the curtain and activates … photosynthesis," he said. "The design of this cavity is such that we can inoculate, or introduce, dirty air from the bottom," he added. "The air naturally rises through and comes into contact with the molecules of the algae, which cleans it. And then clean air and oxygen is released from the top back into the atmosphere." Poletto went on to explain why micro algae were useful for the system. "Their ability to capture CO2 is 10 times […]
Latest Articles
A New Wireless EV Charging Road is Currently Under Construction in Germany
Takeaways: Germany is building the first-ever public wireless road project to charge an electric bus travelling to the city.
The supplier Electreon will put...
Is Cellular Agriculture the Future of Food Production?
Takeaways: Cellular agriculture is a form of lab technology that uses a base material to cultivate a usable product.
This technology allows food to...
How Floating Battery Buoys Could Curb Shipping Emissions in Ports.
How Floating Battery Buoys Could Curb Shipping Emissions in Ports. Floating Battery Buoys could Curb Shipping Emissions...
Critically Endangered Chimpanzee Born at Chester Zoo Offers New Species Hope
Takeaways: A critically endangered Western chimpanzee has been born at the Chester Zoo.
There are only 18 000 individuals left in the world due...
Emerging Technologies and Trends in Better-for-you and More Sustainable Food and Beverages
Emerging Technologies and Trends in Better-for-you and More Sustainable Food and Beverages Guest Post by: Julia Stamberger, Co-founder and...
Batteries That Store Energy Using Rusting Iron Could Help Decarbonize the Grid
Takeaways: Form Energy is building batteries using a common element - iron.
These batteries can store a lot of energy, so you can keep...