From nature comes a surprising solution to purify the air we breathe at home: algae. Yes, precisely those small aquatic plants that, thanks to photosynthesis, produce most of the oxygen on our planet. Inspired by this process, the design agency EcoLogicStudio (founded in London in 2005, but very Italian) created AIReactor. Things? It is an elegant photobioreactor that exploits the power of microalgae to capture CO2 and harmful substances, returning clean air.
Photobioreactor: a small ecosystem at home
AIReactor is a structure approximately one meter high, with a frame made of recycled birch plywood. But the real beating heart of this device is the glass photobioreactor inside, where lush cultures of microalgae swim in an emerald green liquid.
This is where the magic happens: algae, through photosynthesis, naturally convert carbon dioxide and pollutants into pure oxygen. AIReactor continuously pumps air into the bioreactor, simulating water currents to promote optimal microalgae growth. And while these cute greenish friends work their photosynthetic spell, they filter harmful substances, returning cleaner air.
From purification to bioplastic
But the surprises don't end there. The biomass generated by the algae after filtering the air becomes a precious resource. EcoLogicStudio collects it and uses it to create biopolymers, natural polymers derived from renewable sources.
“In addition to capturing pollutants, microalgae grown in AIReactor can be harvested and used to produce biopolymers for 3D printing of products,” explains the study.
After harvesting, algal biomass can be dried and then subjected to further processing to produce biopolymers, which are natural polymers derived from renewable plant sources.
From air to objects: the PhotoSynthetica collection
The studio recently presented the collection PhotoSynthetica, which includes the AIReactor itself, a stool and a ring made with the biopolymers generated during the air filtration process.
This innovative collection expands on research begun by EcoLogicStudio in 2018, which led to the creation of a large-scale tree-shaped sculpture. Now, with PhotoSynthetica, microalgae biomass, a waste material from the work done by the photobioreactor, is incorporated into a series of everyday objects, giving new life to what was once considered waste.
Photobioreactor & friends: a breath of the future
The PhotoSynthetica collection will be on display from April 15th to 21st as part of theIsola Design Festival 2024, during the Milan Design Week. An opportunity to experience first-hand a future in which nature and technology merge to create sustainable solutions to today's problems.
AIReactor and the PhotoSynthetica collection show us that another air is possible, literally. That we can live in healthier environments, surrounded by greener objects, thanks to the help of small allies such as microalgae.
One day, in addition to plants, it could become normal to also have a photobioreactor at home, a small corner of nature that works tirelessly to give us a breath of well-being. An idea that, given the current situation, it doesn't seem that far from reality.
