Genera
Sphere2 Genera
Sculpture
3D printing, custom-made electronics, hardware
Hardware device development: Dr. Luka Suhadolnik, Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jozef Stefan Institute
Additional hardware: Roman Bevc
3D printing: Stephan Doepner, C2
Advisors: Prof. Dr. Saša Novak, Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jozef Stefan Institute
Electron Microscopy analysis: Maja Koblar, Center for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis (CEMM), Jozef Stefan Institute
Additional consulting: Jan Kušej, Lenart Krajnc
Production: Ultramono, 2019
Project is supported by Department of Culture of the City of Ljubljana and The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia
Genera is a futuristic sculpture that can purify indoor air. Its shape comprises branches converging into a trunk-base, and the air passing through them is drawn through an air purification device located at the base of the object. The air purification sculpture uses photocatalytic technology, which represents a potential system for removal of pollutants from indoor air. Improved air quality would improve quality of life, as the average individual spends most of their life in confined spaces.
The photocatalytic air purification sculpture uses the principles of photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds, bacteria, and other potentially harmful substances. Contaminants are decomposed on the surface of titania nanotubes (the active photocatalyst is activated by UVA light illumination), which are grown directly on titanium substrate using an electrochemical method. Photocatalytic oxidation can play a crucial role in indoor air treatment, as it represents an efficient and cost-effective green technology. In future AvantGardens we could have such branch-shaped devices that maintain safe levels of pathogens in the air.
Genera
Sphere2 Genera
Sculpture
3D printing, custom-made electronics, hardware
Hardware device development: Dr. Luka Suhadolnik, Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jozef Stefan Institute
Additional hardware: Roman Bevc
3D printing: Stephan Doepner, C2
Advisors: Prof. Dr. Saša Novak, Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jozef Stefan Institute
Electron Microscopy analysis: Maja Koblar, Center for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis (CEMM), Jozef Stefan Institute
Additional consulting: Jan Kušej, Lenart Krajnc
Production: Ultramono, 2019
Project is supported by Department of Culture of the City of Ljubljana and The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia
Genera is a futuristic sculpture that can purify indoor air. Its shape comprises branches converging into a trunk-base, and the air passing through them is drawn through an air purification device located at the base of the object. The air purification sculpture uses photocatalytic technology, which represents a potential system for removal of pollutants from indoor air. Improved air quality would improve quality of life, as the average individual spends most of their life in confined spaces.
The photocatalytic air purification sculpture uses the principles of photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds, bacteria, and other potentially harmful substances. Contaminants are decomposed on the surface of titania nanotubes (the active photocatalyst is activated by UVA light illumination), which are grown directly on titanium substrate using an electrochemical method. Photocatalytic oxidation can play a crucial role in indoor air treatment, as it represents an efficient and cost-effective green technology. In future AvantGardens we could have such branch-shaped devices that maintain safe levels of pathogens in the air.
References
Pichat, P. A brief survey of the practicality of using photocatalysis to purify the ambient air (indoors or outdoors) or air effluents. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 2019, 245, 770-776.
Macak, J. M.; Tsuchiya, H.; Ghicov, A.; Yasuda, K.; Hahn, R.; Bauer, S.; Schmuki, P. TiO2 nanotubes: Self-organized electrochemical formation, properties and applications. Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science 2007, 11 (1), 3-18.