Clean Air Technologies

  • By Lexi Krock
  • Posted 04.18.06
  • NOVA

When it comes to air pollution, the good news is that environmental measures and new technologies have made air cleaner in many countries in recent decades. The bad news is that worldwide, the atmosphere over cities is still smoggy, more areas are urbanizing, and the number of cars is increasing. While there is no single magic bullet, a number of technologies might help keep air clean in the future. Explore them here.

Launch Interactive Printable Version

Explore a handful of creative solutions to help reduce air pollution, including exhaust-eating algae and wind energy.

This feature originally appeared on the site for the NOVA program Dimming the Sun.

Credits

Images

(smokestacks)
Courtesy Klaus Post
(baghouse)
Courtesy Sal Campos, FARR Air Pollution Control
(algae)
Courtesy Dr. Tasios Melis, UC Berkeley
(catalytic converters)
© General Motors/Reuter R/CORBIS SYGMA
(wind turbines, solar array, nuclear z-machine)
Courtesy Sandia National Laboratories
(Toyota Prius)
Courtesy Toyota
(cornfield)
Courtesy Elizabeth Bradburn
(fuel cell station)
Courtesy California Fuel Cell Partnership
(biodiesel-powered machines)
Courtesy USDA

Related Links

  • Reversing Climate Change

    Combining two proven technologies could turn the dirtiest coal plants into climate-saving terraforming machines.

  • Understanding Global Dimming

    What is "global dimming" and how can it counter global warming? See how this critical phenomenon was discovered.

  • Power Surge

    Are we finally on the brink of a clean energy revolution?

Close

You need the Flash Player plug-in to view this content.