Etudes Non Stop Study Non Stop
Related Articles
The average American spends 90% of their day indoors, often in poorly ventilated spaces. When rooms aren’t adequately ventilated, CO2 levels can rise, causing dizziness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating for those who spend extended periods in these environments. Researchers at Binghamton University believe they’ve found a simple solution to improve indoor air quality.
Building on their work with bacteria-powered biobatteries, Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi and PhD student Maryam Rezaie have developed cyanobacteria-based artificial air-purifying plants. Using biological solar cells, these plants perform photosynthesis, utilizing indoor light and their cyanobacteria to convert CO2 and water into oxygen. Remarkably, the selected cyanobacteria also have exoelectrogenic properties, meaning these artificial plants can generate up to 140 microwatts of energy.
This innovative and cost-effective solution has been shown to reduce indoor CO2 levels by up to 90%, which is nine times more effective than natural plants. Moreover, unlike live plants, they require minimal maintenance, have a longer lifespan, and produce enough electricity to power small devices.
In an interview with Springwise, Dr. Choi emphasized that further testing is required before the technology can be scaled up for broader use. He noted, “The oxygen production capacity and bioelectric generation still need improvement to make these plants viable for everyday home use. Additionally, long-term studies on toxicity and durability are crucial to ensure safe and sustainable applications.”
