19 October 2011
CNN reports on new research into ways to reduce city’s production of Carbon Dioxide by absorption
In a report from CNN Dr Rachel Armstrong tells of new research that will help buildings to ‘eat up’ carbon dioxide in the city air. She says, “Over the next 40 years, ‘living’ buildings — biologically programmed to extract carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere — could fill our cities.”
Armstrtong works in synthetic biology, a cutting edge science looking at ‘the manufacture of life-like matter from synthesized chemicals’; protocells Armstrong calls these synthetic chemicals
“For instance, a protocell could be mixed with wall paint and programmed to produce limestone when exposed to carbon (dioxide) on the surface of a building,” she says. “Then you’ve got a paint that can actually eat carbon and change it into a shell-like substance.”
‘So, just as iron rusts when it comes into contact with oxygen and water, protocells can produce simple chemical reactions when they come into contact with carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules, turning the CO2 into calcium carbonate, or limestone, which stops the greenhouse gas from rising up into the ozone layer.’
Architect Richard Hyams confirms that ‘there is a burden on cities to reduce their vast carbon footprint intensities the market will look to more radical solutions.’ His graphic of how London might look suggests a much more natural approach than Armstrong’s. Hi buildings and roofs are well planted with vegetation literally acting as the lungs of the city to clean the air.
We’re pleased to see there is a small change towards this ability that plants and trees have to green our cities and make them cleaner places.
Read the full report here.
