Smog-Eating Architectural Panels

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We recently wrote about smog-eating paint developed in the Philippines — why not discuss smog-eating architectural panels as well? Alcoa has created architectural panels that clean themselves and the air around them. The product, EcoClean, will first be used commercially at the new Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) facility in Badin, N.C.

“Introduced in 2011, EcoClean was developed by Alcoa scientists through a process that leverages patented HYDROTECT™ technology to apply a titanium dioxide coating, called EcoClean, to the pre-painted aluminum surface of Alcoa’s Reynobond architectural panels,” Alcoa writes.

“The coating works with natural sunlight, acting as a catalyst to break down organic pollutants on its surface and in the air around it into harmless matter which is then washed away by rainwater. Ten thousand square feet of EcoClean has the smog removal power of approximately 80 trees, equivalent to offsetting the nitrogen oxide created by the pollution output of four cars per day.”

Images via Alcoa