Michael Waring, PhD

Research by Michael Waring, PhD, a professor, and Bryan Cummings, PhD, a research scientist, both in the College of Engineering and Computing, debunking the myth that plants can improve indoor air quality, was cited in a June 6 story in The Cool Down about putting plants in bathrooms. The story was republished by Yahoo! News.

Yury Gogotsi, PhD, distinguished university and Bach professor in the College of Engineering, was featured in an April 1 Tech Briefs Q+A about research he lead with Michael Waring, PhD, a professor in the College of Engineering, about using MXene nanomaterial to improve the performance of air filters.

Bryan Cummings, PhD, a research scientist in the College of Engineering, was quoted in an Aug. 1 Minneapolis Star-Tribune story on Minneapolis' climate plan, which offers immediate steps for people to take to help cut pollution, including the erroneous claim that house plants can improve household air quality. Cummings' research with Michael Waring, PhD, a professor in the College, was also mentioned in the article.

Research by Michael Waring, PhD, a professor, and Bryan Cummings, PhD, a research scientist, both in the College of Engineering, debunking the myth that houseplants can contribute to improving air quality, was mentioned in an April 11 WIRED story about a new plant being genetically engineered to remove volatile organic compounds from the air.

Despite improvements to air filtration technology in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the smallest particles — those of automobile and factory emissions — can still make their way through less efficient, but common filters. An interdisciplinary team of researchers from Drexel University’s College of Engineering have introduced a new way to improve textile-based filters by coating them with a type of two-dimensional nanomaterial called MXene.

A closer look at decades of research suggesting that potted plants can improve the air in homes and offices reveals the findings don’t hold up outside of the lab.

Do you know how easy it is to improve the quality of the air you breathe every day? Or how much indoor air quality affects your health and productivity? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey by a group of Drexel University environmental and architectural engineering researchers, there is quite a bit of confusion about the costs and benefits of indoor air quality improvement—even among building owners, designers, managers and tenants.

Some of the same chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere as a result of smog and ozone are actually taking place in your house while you are cleaning. A researcher in Drexel’s College of Engineering is taking a closer look at these reactions, which involve an organic compound -called limonene- that provides the pleasant smell of cleaning products and air fresheners. His research will help to determine what byproducts these sweet-smelling compounds are adding to the air while we are using them to remove germs and odors.