The department of bioenergy and centre for biodiversity and
forest studies of Madurai Kamaraj University is working to build 'robot' trees
that will absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Each robot tree looks more like a giant fly swatter, but a
single 'tree' can equal the carbon absorption of 1,000 natural trees. One
'tree' is said to have the capacity to absorb 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide
every year.
The artificial tree comprises huge solar panels,
representing leaves, constructed on the end of a tall plastic pole.
The energy absorbed by the solar panel leaves is converted
into electricity. The solution in which the carbon dioxide is dissolved gets
heated with the help of this solar power and is split into oxygen, hydrogen and
water vapour, which are released through the outlets in the solar panel.
Carbonic acid, formed as a result of the reaction, is released into the earth
via the artificial root system.
The trees were invented by US scientist Klaus S Lackner, and the
university is trying to build 'trees' based on his design. It has been
estimated that 2.5 lakh such trees would be sufficient to control the emission
of vehicles throughout the world at present.
Source : Times of India
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