It’s exactly this type of Italian ingenuity that produced the piano, the Ferrari, and the cappuccino: Gambarelli, a textile company in Modena, has created a ceramic floor tile that, while absorbing the pitter patter of feet, also absorbs air pollution.

The ingenious (and potentially revolutionary) Oxygena tiles are made of porcelain and infused with titanium dioxide, a natural compound that oxidizes polluting gasses when it comes in contact with sunlight.

The ultimate benefit to the environment remains unclear since the tiles are still in beta form. But in a recent test, car exhaust was pumped into a room lined with Oxygena tiles. Eight hours later, the gases had been completely absorbed. In repeated tests, the tiles proved they had the durability to continuously scrub the air of pollutants.

Despite costing a third more than comparative products, the attractive and sturdy Oxygena — which come in a marbleized gray and a shiny glass-like finish — has designers and architects swooning. The tiles have already been sold to a hotel in Greece and a school in Switzerland and are being considered for citywide use in Italy.

Pending further tests, Gambarelli will gauge the tile’s readiness in America, and while it may be premature to compare the tile to the masterpieces mentioned above, we could be looking at an invention as important and well loved as that other Italian brainstorm: the Jacuzzi.

For more information contact: info@oxygena.it