The University of Belgrade’s Institute for Multidisciplinary Research invented an urban photo-bioreactor. Liquid 3 cleans the air and serves as a bench in the Belgrade city centre.

It’s a tank filled with microalgae, a solar panel on the top generates electricity for USB charging ports for citizens and a pump that pumps air into the tank where the algae process the CO² and produce Oxygen.

https://balkangreenenergynews.com/liquid-tree-to-combat-air-pollution-in-belgrade/

    • RiceMunk@sopuli.xyz
      11·
      8 months ago

      Can’t charge a phone using a tree.

      …well, unless we stick a solar panel + charging port on it, like with this thing.

      • gapbetweenus@feddit.de
        7·
        8 months ago

        unless we stick a solar panel + charging port on it,

        Even as a joke, that seems cheaper and you need far less resources. My question was more about if it’s “clears” air better than just a tree.

    • Cort@lemmy.world
      8·
      8 months ago

      Even though microalgae are more efficient in binding carbon dioxide than regular plants, trees have a larger volume, and a higher density of biomass as our system involves a lot of water. That’s why one Liquid 3 can replace one adult tree regarding the capacity of binding carbon dioxide,” Spasojević said, reflecting on the first year of operation

      They also claim it’s better than trees with heavy metal tolerance & particulate matter

      • lps@lemmy.ml
        2·
        8 months ago

        As someone who has a backyard pond, I can tell you algae is super resilient and essentially can’t be stopped. It even survives cold Canadian winters. I’m with you, it doesn’t need to replace trees, but it can be utilized for other purposes.

    • survivalmachine@beehaw.org
      1·
      8 months ago

      It’s better at raising awareness because it’s weird and it’s a conversation starter.

      It’s better at being a bench.

      It’s a better windbreak.