An 18-year-old Guadalajara science entrepreneur has developed a low-cost, solar-powered filter that can “scrub” carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Luis Mario Gonzalez says each day the filter can remove the equivalent amount of CO2 absorbed by 20 trees.
Although the technology and processes involved are not ground-breaking and are used to remove carbon dioxide from the smokestacks of electric power plants, Gonzalez believes his filters – called ABS CO2 – can be utilized on a smaller scale, even in homes and offices. Another option, he says, is to place the units strategically around traffic-choked cities to reduce contaminants caused by automobiles.
The project has gained international attention after being featured on “An Idea to Change History,” a competition sponsored by History Channel Latin America. Gonzalez’s idea was one of ten selected for the semi-finals from thousands of entries. Public voting to select the five finalists is now underway online at http://unaidea.tuhistory.com/votar.php and runs through November 27. ABS CO2 is currently is second place.
The winner’s prize is $US70,000. Gonzalez says he has been working on his CO2 project since the age of 14.