A research team at City University of Hong Kong is developing a sls 3D printed filter for collecting microplastics.
The research team said that washing machines and tumble dryers produce large amounts of microplastics when washing and drying clothes. Microplastics produced by washing machines will be discharged into sewers or the natural environment, while microplastics produced by dryers will be released into the air. Taking an average Canadian household as an example, each dryer produces and releases between 90 million and 120 million microfibers into the air each year.
To reduce this pollution, scientists at City University of Hong Kong have developed a filter that limits the amount of plastic microfibers emitted by washing machines and dryers. This is a 3D printed filter with an internal structure designed to easily absorb fibers. Just toss it into clothes while washing and drying.
The research team said that although the filter can absorb microplastics, they hope that the clothing industry will pay attention to this issue. Especially clothing made of polyester fabrics. The most microplastics are produced during washing and drying. When the water temperature exceeds 40°C, 700 to 4,000 fibers can be released per gram of fabric.