Current pollution levels are alarmingly high, prompting experts to find out ways that can help reverse, or at the very least, halt this trend. But it can be difficult coming up with solutions on an individual level as most people don’t have a clue about how they can contribute to reduce pollution. A novel idea could, however, give people a chance to contribute towards cleaning up with air, all by wearing clothes that suck in pollutants.
Tony Ryan, a chemist and Helen Storey, a professor in the London College of Fashion, have conceptualized clothing that’s sprayed with a catalyst that sucks volatile organic chemicals from the air.
The duo is slated to attend the International Science Festival in Edinburgh, scheduled to begin in March to showcase their creations. While Ryan will be sporting a catalyzed denim kilt, socks and sporran (a pouch around the waist which is a part of Scottish traditional clothing) and Storey will please the crowd in a Vivienne Westwood top and a ball gown.
The duo’s Catalytic Clothing line contains a coating of Nano-titania that is used in sunscreen lotions. The solution is said to be able to catalyze a reaction wherein light and oxygen are capable of ridding the air of nitric oxide by converting it into nitrate which can then be washed away. Nano-titania has also been used by chemists in China to produce self cleaning shirts.
According to Ryan, nitric oxide has the potential to cause asthma. We aren’t sure about how much effect Catalytic Clothing will have as a whole, but it’s a nice change to see fashion doing some good for the environment. If the entire process can be tweaked further to cut down whatever possible risks could arise from using Nano-titania, the human population may at last be able to counter its contribution to greenhouse gases and air pollution.
Via: Smartplanet
