7 Inventions That Are Making China's Air Cleaner

In China, what is the latest market opportunity for entrepreneurs? Air pollution. Basically, as long as air pollution in China remains a prominent public issue, people from home and abroad will brainstorm to help people eliminate the harm of heavy haze, and sometimes even make some money in the process. Below are some of the most famous examples.

DIY Filters

We reported on an American graduate student named Thomas Talhelm who designed an air filter. It consists of a high-efficiency air filter connected to a fan. He said, "This thing looks really old-fashioned." The cost of assembling such a filter is only $27, but it can indeed reduce the number of PM2.5 particles (pollutants that can enter the bloodstream). In Beijing, the Beijing Energy Network holds workshops to teach people how to make their own air filters.

A Smog Vacuum

Last month, Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde released an electronic vacuum cleaner, also called the "sky vacuum," which collects and cleans particles by attracting them to the ground after creating an electrostatic field. Recently, he negotiated with the mayor of Beijing to conduct pilot tests in a new park.

Air-Filtering Interior Design

O2ganic is a start-up company in Beijing that sells personalized green plants with an "organic air purification system." Thousands of plants claiming to have air purification effects are also sold on Taobao.

According to O2ganic's introduction, the begonia in the "Colonial Package" allows Chinese residents to "directly feel the Nordic and New World."

Pollution Consultants

Pure Living is an "indoor environmental consulting company" that charges between $500 and $800 depending on the indoor air quality of companies and households. The company's president, Mr. Cheng (Louie Cheng), told the Wall Street Journal that due to people keeping their doors and windows tightly closed, the "chemical soup" released by indoor plywood, mold, paint, and carpets is 50 to 100 times more toxic than outdoor pollutants.

Helmets, Bikes, and Cars

Design of the "Air Helmet"

In 2008, two design students from Vienna invented an "air helmet" inspired by Beijing, considering both functionality and aesthetics. This design resembles the Olympic swimming venue used during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Last year, a Chinese farmer named Tang Zhenping spent about $1600 to create a wind-powered electric car using old parts from motorcycles, electric vehicles, and cars.

An artist named Matt Hope in Beijing connected an IKEA wastebasket to an air purification system and a bicycle-powered engine, calling this invention the "Breathing Bike." During the ride, purified air is released through a mask.

Hope pointed out in a video that the only problem with this bike is that it generates 5000 volts of electricity, "which is actually fatal. If you ride this bike on a rainy day, you might kill yourself. I'm a bit hesitant to use this bike, but it's theoretically feasible."