SINGAPORE — People in smog-filled cities may soon breathe easier thanks to a new concoction that turns regular mesh screens into pollution-blocking nanofiber filters. <br /> <br />Assistant Professor Tan Swee Ching from the National University of Singapore’s Department of Material Science and Engineering led the team that invented the technology, according to a university press release. <br /> <br />They first created organic molecules out of phthalocyanine, a chemical compound used to make dyes. The molecules were engineered to form nanofibers, and the resulting solution was then applied to non-woven mesh to create thin, clear filter sheets. <br /> <br />The filters are able to block out up to 90 percent of hazardous particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns. <br /> <br />Unlike conventional filters that block out air along with pollutants, the nanofibers allow two and a half times more clean air to flow through. <br /> <br />Their ability to block out harmful UV rays while providing natural lighting makes the filters ideal for windows and doors. The novel technology can also be applied to respirators. <br /> <br />The Singapore team has filed a patent for their invention. They’re currently working to improve filtration efficiency, and maybe add antibacterial properties.
