Researchers from the University of Antwerp have invented a device that purifies air and at the same time, generates electricity. This device must be exposed to light in order to function. "We use a small device with two rooms separated by a membrane," explains professor Sammy Verbruggen (UAntwerp/KU Leuven). "Air is purified on one side, while on the other side hydrogen gas is produced from a part of the degradation products. This hydrogen gas can be stored and used later as fuel, as is already being done in some hydrogen buses, for example". These researchers are responding to two major issues. Air pollution and lack of Fossil Fuels.
The heart of the solution lies at the membrane level, where the researchers use specific nano-materials. "In the past, these cells were mostly used to extract hydrogen from water. We have now discovered that this is also possible, and even more efficient, with polluted air." - professor Verbruggen. The process seems to be very complicated but is actually very simple. The researchers' goal is to be able to use sunlight, as the processes underlying the technology are similar to those found in solar panels. The difference here is that electricity is not generated directly, but rather that air is purified while the generated power is stored as hydrogen gas. They are currently only build small scale models like you see in the picture above but the real thing will be much larger.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170508083219.htm
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