Smart Air Filters
Site offers DIY-assembled air filters
Beijing-based Smart Air Filters offers DIY assembly instructions for a
fine-particulate indoor air purifier, using only a motorized fan and
vacuum cleaner filter. Costing CNY 200 (USD 32), the devices have
been proven to filter 91% of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter that comprise
air pollutants), comparable to high-end filters costing CNY 11,000. The
site also home-delivers DIY kits, and organized workshops in October
2013, teaching participants how to protect themselves from air pollution.
Danger Maps
Online mapping system tracks environmental hazards
Danger Maps is a Chinese nonprofit that tracks health and safety hazards
via an online mapping system which overlays potential dangers from
pollutants (toxic waste, oil refineries, or radiation hazards) on Baidu
Maps. In April 2013, the site began accepting crowdsourced user input,
to add to data aggregated from China’s environment protection agency.
It also expanded its maps to include civic themes such as missing people
and child abuse.
pH Conditioner Skyscraper
Floating units clean and neutralize air
Proposed by Chinese designers Hao Tian, Huang Haiyang and Shi
Jianwei during the 2013 eVolo Skyscraper competition, the Chongqingbased pH Conditioner Skyscraper is a stand-alone treatment center for
urban acidic pollutants. Resembling robotic jellyfish, each pod is buoyed
by hydrogen air bags, which enable them to float 300 meters above
ground level, where acidic pollutants gather. Its porous membranes
absorb the pollutants, neutralize them into safe liquids, then separates
this into reclaimed water as well as green nutrients that feed plants
embedded on the pod’s tentacles.
Breathing Bicycle
Beijing resident creates ‘breathing bicycle’
In response to record-breaking pollution in March 2013, Beijing-based
inventor Matt Hope created the ‘breathing bicycle’: a modified bike
fitted with an air-filtration device that provides clean air. Made entirely
from ‘hacked’ household items bought at IKEA, the device consists of
a perforated bin containing a DIY-filtration system and pedal-powered
generator. During periods of pedaling, the rider activates the air filter
and receives purified air via a long rubber tube that connects to his
fighter-pilot breathing mask.
Studio Roosegarde: Smog
Electrostatic system sucks up Beijing smog
October 2013 saw Dutch design firm Studio Roosegarde announce a
pilot test in Beijing of ‘Smog’: an electromagnetic-based system that
clears urban air pollutants. Embedded copper coils buried underground
generate an electrostatic charge, which ‘pulls’ soot and other particles
from surrounding air; these pollutants can be collected and even
repurposed. Smog’s indoor trials successfully cleared 1 cubic meter of
air particulate pollution.