Published on 08/ 7/2008
The next time you take a look at a pile of bricks, try to see things a little differently. That's what people at Twente University did, and this led them to create a new air-purifying concrete that could result in a positive breakthrough in the fight against air pollution. This unique concrete comes with a titanium dioxide-based additive, where under the influence of sunlight will bind the nitrogen oxide particles emitted by vehicle exhausts, converting them into harmless nitrates instead. A single shower of rain will wash everything clean, making it ready to be used over and over again. Currently, this piece of concrete is targeted for use in a trial on a road of a small Dutch town of Hengelo. Interesting, but even news of its success does not mean emission standards of vehicles in the future can be relaxed.