IdeaSoulLeaf

Mother Nature knows best; that is why SoulLeaf stands as a revolutionary idea based in the leaf's natural biology. In the 21st century, Climate change, as we all know it, has plagued cities around the world. We have seen a resurgence in extreme weather events ranging from hurricanes, heat waves, and freezes that not only leave catastrophic damage to humans, but also the very ecosystems that all plant and animal species depend on. And what is at the root of all of this? Well, human-induced climate change. Cities are choking on carbon emissions, rural villages lack access to clean water, and even modern nations still struggle to find decentralized water solutions that are accessible to even the underprivileged communities. In comes SoulLead, an ambitious, nature-inspired engineering solution to this multi-faceted problem: a solar powered artificial leaf that uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to passively clean air, purify water, and generate sustainable fuel. In recent years, Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as one of the most transformative innovations in materials science. These crystalline compounds, composed of metal ions or clusters coordinated to organic ligands, contain a tunable porous structure, making them unique material for selective adsorption of molecules. Their unprecedented versatility and functionality have positioned them at the forefront of advanced applications, ranging from gas storage and separation to catalysis and drug delivery. Essentially, different MOF's can selectively adsorb to varying molecules, including all the air and water pollutants, as a result of their chemical properties and binding affinity with these contaminants. Furthermore, after adsorption, MOFs can diffuse their adsorbed material in a controlled manner, allowing the contaminants to be treated effectively. SoulLeaf mimics the function of natural leaves, but with enhancements that make it powerful and long-lasting. For the air filtration component of the leaf, the outer space is coated with MOFs like MOF-74-Mg, which have a high affinity for Co2 and VOCs even at low concentrations. So, as air glides over the surface of the MOF, the MOFs adsorb carbon dioxide and trap the pollutants passively. Next, captured CO2 is slowly diffused into a small chamber, in the leaf's stem, that contains photocatalysts. This reduction process then converts the CO2 into methanol and ammonia which can be used for off-grid fuel or fertilizer. A secondary channel uses water-harvesting MOFs like MIL-101-PMIDA to filter heavy metals and PFAs from collected rainwater or gray water. A gravity-fed drip system then cleans the water and stores the water to be dispensed for irrigation, drinking, or reuse. This gives isolated, rural communities access to clean water when water access is difficult. It is important to not that the MOFs have high regenerability at minimal to no cost, allowing for multiple cycles of adsorption and desorption. SoulLeaf is unique because its shape as a leaf allows it to have best contact with wind/air, sunlight, and rain capture.

I have a chemistry/engineering background, having researched at Texas Tech University and currently Rice on MOF-based methods. I also have intermediate finance and accounting knowledge. I can support other organizations through idea development and testing.