Equipment for air purification and energy generation from air pollution

Belgian scientists have succeeded in developing equipment that both filters air and produces energy when placed under natural light.

The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Antwerp and the University of Leuven in Belgium, meets two of today's most pressing needs: clean air and generate energy. so

"We used a small device consisting of two compartments separated by a membrane," said study leader Sammy Verbruggen.

"The air is cleaned in one compartment and the other side of the hydrogen produced from the filter," he said.

The focus of the technology lies in the diaphragm made of nanomaterials.

Hydrogen is stored and used as fuel for equipment operated by this type of fuel. There are now buses powered by hydrogen.

The focus of the technology lies in the diaphragm made of nanomaterials . This membrane cleans the air and produces energy.

"In the past, such membranes were mostly used to extract hydrogen from water. Now we find that they work more efficiently on polluted air , " said Professor Sammy Verbruggen.

It sounds complicated, but it's not the case. All we need to do is put the device under the light. The goal of the scientists is to use sunlight because the basic operation of this technology is similar to solar cells.

The difference is that electricity is not produced directly but instead the air is cleaned while the energy generated is stored as hydrogen.

In the next phase, scientists will develop equipment on a larger scale so that they can be applied in industry.