An artificial tree can absorb carbon dioxide a thousand times faster than a real one.The latest invention of Columbia University scientists is an artificial tree that can absorb carbon dioxide a thousand times faster that a real tree. Claus Lackner, professor of Geophysics at Columbia University, has worked on this project for above 10 years and hopes that artificial trees will turn out to be a very important instrument to fight climate changes.
Scientists will be able to use the latest invention for capturing greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles and airplanes. Synthetic trees would not need direct sunlight and water to function, CNN reports. According to Lackner, the trees could have different sizes and could be placed almost anywhere.
Here it is how the system works: a synthetic tree collects greenhouse gasses on a sorbent, cleans and removes carbon dioxide, and then releases them. The technology of absorbing gases resembles a sponge soaking up water. In one day only, the artificial tree can capture a ton of CO2, which is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by 20 vehicles.
The technology is currently being improved by Research Technologies. Such inventions may well serve for the environmental protection, but for now are quite expensive – a single synthetic tree is worth 30 thousand dollars.
