Research project

‘DECONTAMINATE’ is a project based on the idea of using natural materials, which consume CO2 once activated.

Indeed, thanks to a chemical reaction, once we mix two materials (sodium silicate & calcium oxyde), they transform themselves as a rock. During the process, they are consuming CO2 as a catalyst. This reaction is natural and non-toxic. The rock, coming from the reaction is inert material.

 

 

In collaboration a Chemistry PhD, Dr.DELAERE, we calculate that 1 ton of this material can consume 379 kg of CO2.

To explore how this chemical reaction can help us to clean our air habitat, I decided to develop an experimental object, a decontaminate object. The system is quite simple, we have two materials, one is liquid (sodium silicate) and the other is like a powder (calcium oxyde). As I didn’t want to use electricity, I chose to simply use gravity. The liquid material is up and the powder down. Once the reaction is done, you can collect the ‘stone’ inside the system. If we want a highly efficient system, we need to make a reaction with hundreds of kilograms of material, which means that a small object like the experimental one I did, is not the solution. However we can think of a huge installation, for industry or city.

 

 

 

The transparent cylinder, help us to see the reaction and also to protect us from it. The two materials are basic (ph 11), which can cause damage in eyes, for example. I design the structure in reference of a mushroom.