Living buildings can absorb carbon

Dr. Rachel Armstrong of TED nonprofit organization in the US and co-director of Avatar - the research team specializes in exploiting the potential of modern technology applications in architecture - for that 40 years, buildings' Living ', biologically programmed capable of filtering carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) in the air, will grow throughout cities.

Dr. Armstrong is currently studying in the field of synthetic biology, a fairly new science that aims to produce life-like materials from synthetic chemicals. These laboratory chemicals are prepared to act as organic microorganisms, with the advantage of being able to be processed to do things that nature cannot. Armstrong called them protocells . 'For example, a protocell can be mixed with wall paint and programmed to form limestone when they come into contact with CO ₂ outside the building. Then, you get the paint that can really absorb carbon and become a shell-like substance , 'she said. Thus, like iron rust due to exposure to oxygen and water, protocells can produce simple chemical reactions when exposed to CO ₂ molecules, turning CO ₂ into calcium carbonate (or limestone). , helping to prevent greenhouse gases from flying to the ozone layer.

Perspective of a city with buildings absorbing CO2.

Limestone can also heal small cracks naturally on the wall, helping to extend the life of any building covered by this paint. ' Not only that, the thickness of the limestone will increase over time, allowing the building to better withstand heat or protect it from the sun's heat , ' added Dr. Armstrong. Limestone can form anywhere from 1-10 years, depending on the density of CO ₂ in the surrounding air.

Currently, this technology has been tested in the laboratory, but researchers need more time to put it into application and commercial production. Moreover, the newly developed paint can only absorb a small amount of emissions in a city such as Lon Don, which emits about 42 million tons of CO2 in the atmosphere in 2009 - according to British government data. . Therefore, this type of paint needs to be further studied to increase carbon absorption efficiency. However, Dr. Armstrong said that the paint will be available before 2014.

The study of CO ₂ absorbing materials is attracting much interest from the material manufacturing industry, although its production costs and prices have yet to be determined. Dr. Armstrong said a traditional paint manufacturer in the UK is learning about the technology and a large Australian real estate company has also placed orders for her products in the future.