Ink made of air pollution | Anirudh Sharma

Summary

The speaker shares an innovative approach to addressing air pollution by capturing it and recycling it into useful products like ink. After being inspired by the pollution in India, the speaker experimented with creating ink from soot, using simple materials. This led to the creation of AIR-INK, a product made from captured pollution, used by artists worldwide. The company now works to scale the technology, making eco-friendly inks that replace traditional ones, while also providing a solution for collecting and reusing pollution. The story highlights the potential for creative and sustainable solutions to global pollution issues.

Takeaways

• 😀 Every year, over 4-5 million people die due to exposure to outdoor air pollution.
• 🌍 PM 2.5 particles, which are tiny and invisible to the naked eye, are harmful and cannot be filtered by the human body.
• 🔬 The idea of recycling pollution into ink originated from observing pollution created by diesel generators in India in 2012.
• 🖤 Traditional black ink is made by burning fossil fuels to produce carbon black, a process that also contributes to pollution.
• 💡 The innovative concept involves capturing pollution and turning it into useful products like ink, thus recycling pollution instead of letting it harm the environment.
• 🕯️ Early experiments in Boston used candle soot mixed with vegetable oil and vodka to create rudimentary ink from pollution.
• 🚗 A lab in India was set up in 2015 to scale up experiments, leading to the creation of a pollution capture system that reduces emissions from diesel-powered engines by 95%.
• ⚙️ The pollution capture technology advanced from car prototypes to devices that capture pollution from static sources like diesel generators.
• 🎨 AIR-INK, the resulting ink from pollution recycling, is now used by thousands of artists worldwide to create artwork made from air pollution.
• 🌍 Corporations and artists collaborated to use AIR-INK in global art campaigns, turning pollution into a tool for creative expression.
• 🚮 The project has sparked a global response, with individuals sending pollution samples from all over the world to be recycled into products, like ink and T-shirts.

Q & A

What is PM 2.5, and why is it dangerous?

PM 2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter. These particles are so tiny that they can bypass the body's natural filters and enter the lungs and bloodstream, leading to serious health issues like asthma and lung cancer if not addressed.

What inspired the speaker to experiment with pollution and ink?

The speaker was inspired by a picture taken in India in 2012, showing a diesel generator producing both energy and pollution. This led to the idea of capturing the pollution to create ink, rather than just seeing it as a harmful byproduct.

How did the speaker conduct their first experiment with pollution-based ink?

In the absence of significant pollution in Boston, the speaker used a candle to generate soot, which was then captured in a homemade contraption. This soot was mixed with vegetable oil and vodka to create a rudimentary ink.

What significant achievement did the team reach in India regarding pollution capture?

The team successfully developed a system that captured 95% of the pollution emitted by diesel generators without affecting the performance of the engines.

What role did art play in the development of the pollution-based ink?

A major turning point came when a large corporation partnered with the team to create a global art campaign. Artists around the world began using the pollution-based ink to create black-and-white artworks, which brought attention to the project and its potential.

How does the ink created from pollution compare to conventional black ink?

The ink created from pollution is made from the same particulate matter captured from air pollution, such as from diesel engines, and is marketed as a sustainable alternative to traditional black ink, which is typically produced through the combustion of fossil fuels.

What challenges did the team face in the early stages of their project?

In the beginning, the team worked in their own homes and kitchens, using makeshift facilities to create and refine the ink. They also encountered disasters in their lab, as experiments were often unregulated and unpredictable.

How did the team handle pollution sent by other polluters?

As the project gained attention, the team started receiving pollution from various sources, including polluters who wanted to sell their waste. The team was able to incentivize these polluters by offering to recycle the pollution into valuable products, like ink.

What broader impact does the speaker believe their project can have?

While the speaker acknowledges that their ink will not solve the global pollution problem, the project demonstrates how pollution can be repurposed into something useful and sustainable, encouraging a new way of thinking about environmental challenges.

What products have been created using AIR-INK from pollution?

AIR-INK has been used in a variety of products, including pens, T-shirts, and artworks. The speaker's ultimate goal is to develop a business that can make high-quality, sustainable inks and other products from captured pollution.