In a world that is becoming increasingly complex, solutions to problems that are simple and easy to implement deserve special attention. This is the case with the idea of students from a Californian university. Thanks to a special alloy for roof tiles, it should be possible in the future to neutralize up to 97 percent of smog-producing substances. The students relied on a common chemical agent for this. This idea brought in $15,000 as a prize and motivation for further research.
Smog is particularly high in world metropolises and urban areas. The health risks associated with this type of air pollution are enormous, and the air darkens, which further increases the greenhouse effect. Images from Asian cities where people move through traffic wearing masks are exemplary of this. Smog is a toxic nitrogen pollution that occurs in exhaust gases from road traffic and industrial production plants. The best possible prevention as a measure to reduce these toxins is to avoid them as much as possible. Specifically coated roof tiles are particularly effective, and if used in large quantities, they could be of great importance.
For the American design competition of the Environmental Protection Agency, students from the University of California at Riverside submitted an innovative and environmentally enriching contribution. The idea: to produce roof tiles with a highly effective coating made of a titanium dioxide mixture for active protection against smog. The efficiency of the chemical material should actively break down and eliminate between 88 and 97 percent of the environmentally harmful gases. The use of the special titanium dioxide mixture is already marketable, practical, and above all, very cost-effective. Impregnating an average-sized roof costs five US dollars in material costs.
In the experimentation phase, the students presented a test that was as realistic as possible. The prepared roof tiles were set up and aligned in a special airtight chamber. Based on calculations, nitrogen oxide flowed into the chamber, and UV light simulated the effect of the sun. The recorded values showed the effectiveness of the titanium dioxide mixture, regardless of how many layers were applied to the roof tiles. On average, a residential roof could neutralize the exhaust emissions of a car with an annual mileage of 11,000 miles. In Southern California, around 500 tons of nitrogen oxides are emitted daily. In addition to an appropriate regulation to have roofs made with this type of roof tiles, the students also want to continue researching, for example, on special facade colors.
