BioInspired! So What? Now What!

Air Quality Solutions (http://www.naturaire.com) has commercialised "green wall" technology through their 'Naturaire' system for both corporate and personal installations.  An example of bio-engineering, it uses a combination of microbes and plants to remove and break down contaminants in the air.  Research is ongoing to identify the conditions that optimize efficiency and effectiveness of the system.

By cleaning air of pollutants, the 'green walls' improve interior air quality sufficiently that less outside air needs to be brought in, reducing heating and cooling costs. 

Researchers at the University of Connecticut have done similar studies of 'rain gardens' that both absorb and clean storm runoff in urban environments.