While the world focuses on exhaust pipes, a silent polluter hides in plain sight: our tires and brakes. Non-exhaust emissions (NEE) from tire wear and brake dust can constitute over 50% of urban traffic-related particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10). This invisible, toxic dust—a problem exacerbated by heavier electric vehicles—clogs our air, contaminates our water, and is directly linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

We have engineered the solution. **AeroCapture** is a smart, aerodynamic wheel system that actively captures over 90% of this particulate matter at its source, transforming a passive polluter into an active air-purifier on every vehicle.

How It Works: An Integrated System

AeroCapture is a complete, multi-stage system seamlessly integrated into the wheel assembly.

1. **Channel:** A stationary, lightweight aerodynamic shroud creates a contained low-pressure vortex around the spinning tire and brake rotor. Its precisely engineered internal vanes use the vehicle's own motion to channel the particle-laden air towards a central collection point, preventing its escape into the atmosphere.
2. **Capture:** Instead of a physical filter that would clog, the air passes through a low-power electrostatic precipitator. This device charges the incoming particles, causing them to bind to a removable, high-capacity collection cartridge with near-perfect efficiency and zero impact on vehicle performance.
3. **Contain & Notify:** The cartridge is equipped with a fill-level sensor. This data is relayed to the vehicle's central computer and a companion app, notifying the owner when the cartridge is ready to be emptied during routine service (e.g., every 10,000 miles). The captured material can then be safely disposed of or recycled.

Engineering a Cleaner Future

As a CAE & Data Engineering project, AeroCapture's design is validated by extensive simulation. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to optimize the shroud’s geometry for maximum capture efficiency across all speeds, while Finite Element Analysis (FEA) ensures its structural integrity and minimal unsprung mass.

Impact

AeroCapture offers a revolutionary, tangible impact:

• **Public Health:** Drastically cuts PM2.5 and PM10 in urban environments.
• **Environmental:** Prevents tons of microplastics and heavy metals from entering our soil and waterways.
• **Data & Regulation:** Enables a fleet of vehicles to become a mobile air quality monitoring network, proactively addressing future NEE legislation.

AeroCapture redefines our responsibility on the road, creating a future where every mile driven is a mile cleaned.