npr story about pollution along LA freeways

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=90479683647444518

superABSORBER Diagram

This animated diagram conveys the main attributes of the superABSORBER highway wall barrier system. Not only does the wall absorb sound (illustrated in blue), it also absorbs pollution (illustrated in green) with the concrete additive TX Active, as well as absorbing light (illustrated in orange).

TX Active is a titanium dioxide admixture to concrete. When pollution (such as CO2) hits the surface, a photocatalytic reaction occurs, breaking down the pollution into less harmful byproducts.

The superABSORBER, with its sponge-like crevices and openings, increases the surface area of the wall exponentially, allowing more pollution to be absorbed and broken down.

Sponge Sample 6

Sample 6 Detail



Sample 6 Front



Sample 6 Back




Spong Sample 6:

By attaching forces to each emitted particle (the geometry which is subtracted from the wall) in Maya and allowing them to interact with each other, a dense sponge-like surface is created, with each opening in the wall directly influencing the others.

Sponge Sample 5

Sample 5 Detail



Sample 5 Front



Sample 5 Back



Sponge Sample 5

In this test, the particles (which take the shape of conical sections) are allowed to interact more and penetrate each other, creating a more random surface.

Sponge Sample 4

Sample 4 Detail



Sample 4 Front



Sample 4 Back



Sponge Sample 4:

Lofted elliptical sections are emitted and contained within the typical dimension of a wall barrier panel. The geometry interacts with each other within the container of the wall, allowing various shapes, sizes and intersections.

Sponge Sample 3

Sample 3 Detail



Sample 3 Front



Sample 3 Back



Sponge Sample 3:

Lofted elliptical sections are scaled randomly. Each section has a radial force applied to it to keep the NURBS surfaces from intersecting. The lofted sections funnel light onto the other side of the wall.

Sponge Sample 2

Sample 2 Detail



Sample 2 Front



Sample 2 Back



Sponge Sample 2:

Sheared conical sections are emitted from a surface and scaled randomly by a MEL expression in Maya. The conical sections are allowed to intersect, creating a variety of openings across the surface.