Indoor air quality is a growing concern, especially in urban areas where people spend a significant portion of their time indoors. Carbon dioxide levels can be significantly higher inside homes compared to outdoor environments.

To address this issue, researchers at Binghamton University have developed artificial plants that mimic their natural counterparts. These innovative creations not only purify indoor air by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen but also generate a small amount of electricity as a byproduct.

Each artificial plant consists of five synthetic leaves, each containing five biological solar cells. These cells are made from living bacteria capable of photosynthesis. Indoor light is used to power the photosynthetic process, while water and nutrients are supplied through a system that mimics natural plant systems. A liquid is drawn through narrow tubes, transporting nutrients from a reservoir to the biological solar cells.

According to a study published in the journal “Advanced Sustainable Systems,” these plants can reduce indoor carbon dioxide levels by up to 90% while producing oxygen. The integrated solar cells in the bacteria generate a small amount of energy, approximately 140 microwatts. However, researchers are working to increase this power output and exploring the use of storage systems like batteries or supercapacitors to store the energy for later use.