One of the problems of conventional filters used in homes, businesses and public spaces is their poor performance. They rely on weak van der Waals forces to capture particles like dust and pollen, meaning they let a lot of stuff slip through. Nature, however, does the job a whole lot better.

Drawing inspiration from the human body, chemical engineers at Chung-Ang University in South Korea designed an air filtration system that mimics the mucus layer coating nasal hairs.