Human Circulatory/respiratory‐inspired Comprehensive Air Purification System

A circulatory/respiratory-inspired air purification system (CAPS) is reported, a novel bioinspired approach that integrates microbubble-based gas exchange and circulating liquid (water) mechanisms akin to alveoli, capillary beds, and the bloodstream. By incorporating waste removal, CAPS ensures continuous particulate matter removal and gas exchange between indoor and outdoor spaces, with the potential for networked integration across various internal and external environments.

Abstract

The circulatory and respiratory systems in humans are marvels of biological engineering that exhibit competence in maintaining homeostasis. These systems not only shield the organism from external contaminants but also orchestrate the vital gases via the bloodstream to sustain cellular respiration and metabolic processes across diverse tissues. It is noticed that spaces inhabited encounter challenges akin to those of the human body: protecting the indoor air from external pollutants while removing anthropogenic byproducts like carbon dioxide (CO₂), particulate matters (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) tooutside. A biomimetic approach, composed of a microbubble-based gas exchanger and circulating liquid inspired by alveoli, capillary beds, and bloodstream of the human circulatory/respiratory system, offer an innovative solution for comprehensive air purification of hermetic spaces. Circulatory/respiratory-inspired air purification system (CAPS) ensure both continuous removal of PM and exchange of gas species between indoor and outdoor environments to maintain homeostasis. The effectiveness of this system is also supported by animal behavior experiments with and without CAPS, showing an effect of reducing CO₂ concentration by 30% and increasing mice locomotor activity by 53%. CAPS is expected to evolve into robust and comprehensive air purification schemes through the networked integration of plural internal and external environments.