We all know how important trees are for cleaning the air and how chopping down trees in the name of development has resulted in increased levels of air pollution.  It would have been a great boon to our ecology if the saplings we planted could immediately grow into trees, but that is not possible as trees take a very long time to grow.

Scientists at Biomitech, a Mexican startup have now come up with this artificial tree called Biourban that is capable of sucking up the equivalent amount of air pollution as 368 living trees, in other words, a mini forest. The company claims that the artificial tree not only saves on growing time but also on the space needed to accommodate them.  

How Biourban Works

The Biourban is nearly 14-foot tall and is made of metal. It holds microalgae that pull carbon dioxide and other contaminants from the air and returns pure oxygen in exchange. Thus, it follows the natural process of photosynthesis and is a great success. The only downside is that it costs around $50,000. This exorbitant cost may act as a deterrent to obtain it in places of the world where it may be much needed.

Uses Of Biourban

According to Jaime Ferrer, a founding partner in Biomitech, this system inhales air pollution through technology and gives out clean air through a natural process. It will be helpful for those cities to achieve cleaner air where it’s not possible to plant a large number of trees. According to the World Health Organization, each year, an estimated 7 million people die from exposure to air pollution which amounts to more than five times the almost 1.25 million people who die in road crashes each year.

In present times, this artificial tree is a much needed modern invention to tackle the issue of air pollution.

Image Source: Inceptive Mind