With China struggling to clean up its air while reducing energy consumption, an air purifier that generates its own power seems almost too perfect to be true. But a Chinese technology company has already struck a deal to produce this amazing new product in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province.

Beijing Kona Filter Co confirmed a deal with the Zhangjiagang municipal government to build a 1 billion yuan ($145 million) production base in the city on March 17.

The company estimates the facility will produce 1.5 billion yuan worth of filter equipment each year, which will net Zhangjiagang more than 100 million yuan in tax revenues annually.

The facility will produce a range of products using Beijing Kona's cutting-edge filter technology, including air conditioning filters, central ventilation systems and industrial off-gas filtration equipment, but the most eye-catching is the company's self-powering air purifier.

The air purifier invented by Wang Zhonglin, a chief scientist of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and his team, which is able to generate its own electricity through the use of triboelectric nanogenerators. [Photo/stdaily.com]

This groundbreaking appliance is able to generate significant amounts of electricity using triboelectric nanogenerators—tiny generators that harvest the energy produced through friction when particles pass through the filter.

The product of research and development by some of China's top nanotechnology experts, led by Wang Zhonglin, a member of the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems of the Chinese Academy of Science, the energy efficiency offered by the air purifier's nanogenerators could make it highly competitive in China's rapidly growing air purifier market, which is predicted to grow at 18 percent CAGR to 2021, according to market research firm TechSci Research.

Wang introduced the new technology at the signing ceremony for the deal on March 17, which was also attended by Zhangjiagang Mayor Huang Ji.

"Triboelectrification is everywhere in our daily life—when we walk, speak or shake our body, we create power. When it rains, when a car wheel rotates, when the tide pushes and pulls, all of these generate power," explained Wang. "What my team has managed to do is effectively harness the power generated by friction."

Mayor Huang spoke highly of the air cleaning project, and said he looked forward to their full implementation. He also expressed his hope that Zhangjiagang and Beijing Kona will cooperate further in other fields, seeking more common development.