Algae-Based Biopanel Windows Purify Air While Generating Power & Oxygen
Mexican startup Greenfluidics' algae-based biopanels produce up to 328 kWh/m2 annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 200 kg per year
Do you know that energy consumption for domestic and industrial purposes is a major cause of global warming emissions? Around two-thirds of the global carbon emissions are due to fossil fuels used for transportation, electricity, industry, and heating. But to combat the issue, Mexican startup Greenfluidics have found a greener solution in form of algae-based biopanel windows.
The startup has made Intelligent Solar Biopanels using microalgae and carbon nanoparticles. Hence, these green biopanels can generate green energy and oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide. This system works like the natural process in which plants, algae, and some bacteria produce biomass and energy while utilizing carbon dioxide from the sunlight and the atmosphere.
Generally, these biopanel windows use nanofluidics technology to pump CO2 through water-containing algae. The carbon dioxide that usually goes into the atmosphere is used by these biopanels for the photosynthesis of algae.
On the other hand, the carbon compounds increase the heat conductivity of water, which further runs on one side of these panels while algae grow on another side. As a result, these green biopanel windows can release both power and oxygen (as a byproduct) into the building where these are installed.
The heat captured with this technique runs through a thermoelectric generator to produce electricity for a building. This is an easy method to produce energy than the traditional algal panels, where one had to extract biomass and further convert fuel at a special unit.
As per the company, their team has spent more than two years designing and developing these panels. They even tested its prototype in October 2021. However, they still need to undergo some tests and after that, they will release their panels to early adopters by the end of 2022.
The company claims that each algae-based biopanel can generate around 328 KWh/m2 of energy per year. Meanwhile, they can reduce CO2 emissions by 200 kg per year.
In the winter season, these panels can save up to 90 KWh/m2 of energy by keeping the interiors warm. During summer, these same panels can offer a shaded effect to keep the interiors cooler. We hope that the final tests for these biopanels are successful and we can see them in the market soon for a greener future.