Revolutionizing Air Purification with Butterfly Nanostructures: Nature-Inspired Innovation

Every year millions die from diseases caused by air pollution. Metalmark Innovations is addressing the global air pollution crisis by turning contaminated fumes into breathable air. Inspired by the butterfly's nanostructure coloration, aerodynamics, strength, lightness, and water repellency of butterfly wings, they are creating high-performance catalytic materials that can purify both indoor and outdoor air.

Traditionally catalytic converters have been used outside to clean toxic fumes - these contain catalysts, materials that accelerate chemical reactions without being degraded themselves. However many catalysts contain expensive metals and require high temperatures to work - ruling them out for indoor use.

Inside, air purification systems can be used inside but they tend to use expensive filters and many are unable to catch smaller particles which pose a threat to health.

So it may come as a surprise that a family of butterflies has inspired a particularly creative solution to this global problem.

They might not realize it, but the metalmark family of butterflies are masters of nanotechnology. The wings of these butterflies are made from nano-structures that manipulate light but also allows them to be strong, lightweight and waterproof.

And the team at Metalmark Innovations has found a way to create a lab-based version of these nano-structures. This has allowed them to produce low-cost catalysts, capable of cleaning both outdoor and indoor air. By placing tiny particles of catalytic metals within the butterfly-inspired lattice the team are able to maximize the amount of catalyst exposed to polluted air whilst massively reducing the amount of materials required.

This also allows them to reduce the operating temperatures, providing a new generation of cost-effective air purification systems that are also capable of targeting the very small pollutant particles which pose a threat to health.

Not bad for a pair of butterfly wings!

The Biomimicry Institute is proud to have worked with Metalmark Innovations in our 2020 Ray of Hope Prize Program. Metalmark was just one of ten startups selected from around the world, representing the most promising nature-inspired solutions to our biggest problems.

To learn more about Metalmark Innovations, visit:
https://asknature.org/strategy/wing-s...
https://biomimicry.org/solution/metal...
https://www.metalmark.xyz/

Art and Animation by Jules Bartl
Produced and Narrated by Ed Prosser
With special thanks to support from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation.