Technology & Humanity
New Vehicle System Filters Roadside Air And Traps Brake Dust
From Phys.org Technology · October 21, 2026
A research team led by Dr. BangWoo Han at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has developed a system designed to purify roadside air and capture brake dust. According to the researchers, the technology utilizes a grille-type electrostatic precipitation system to charge and collect fine particles as a vehicle moves, as well as a collection device installed behind the brake caliper to capture particles generated by friction.
Testing conducted on vehicle models including the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Sonata showed that the grille system removed at least 95% of PM2.5 particles at speeds of 30 km/h. The researchers noted that the system uses existing vehicle airflow to minimize power consumption and that fuel efficiency changes remained within 1%. The study, published in Tribology International, indicates the system captured approximately 22.2 mg of brake wear particles per kilometer during testing.
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