JU researchers develop 'Liquid Tree'

A Jahangirnagar University (JU) research team has unveiled a new technology, called the Liquid Tree, which is aimed at mitigating urban carbon dioxide (CO?) levels.

The innovation is a photobioreactor that uses indigenous microalgae to absorb CO? and release oxygen, both indoors and outdoors. Cities around the world are grappling with rising pollution, with dust, smog, and traffic making city life increasingly hazardous.

CO?, an invisible yet pervasive threat, enters bodies with every breath, leading to headaches, fatigue, and long-term respiratory issues. Indoors, offices, classrooms, and conference halls are no safer, as CO? levels rise rapidly, affecting health and concentration. To address this pressing issue the development comes, say the research team.

The team includes Professor Dr Golam Moinuddin from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at JU, Professor Dr Mohammad Shahedur Rahman from the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at JU, Professor Dr M G Sarwar Hossain from BRAC University, and M Shakilur Rahman from EPL Solutions. Under the supervision of JU's RIC, the Bioresources Technology and Industrial Biotechnology Lab has, through a fully domestic process and the Bangladesh government's EDGE project, developed a prototype. According to the team, the Liquid Tree can reduce CO? pollution more efficiently than conventional trees, offering a practical solution for densely populated urban environments.

Prof Mohiuddin says the Liquid Tree comes in two models. The outdoor model is designed for streets, rooftops, parking areas, and industrial zones, using sunlight to power photosynthesis, absorbing CO? from vehicles and factories while supplying localized oxygen. The indoor model, on the other hand, is tailored for offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, and conference halls, capturing CO? exhaled by occupants and maintaining a healthier indoor environment.

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