By Cat DiStasio

Technology progresses at a breakneck pace -- but why is our built environment so far behind? Fortunately, some smart folks have devoted their lives to developing futuristic technologies that can reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, make them more energy-efficient and lower maintenance costs. In just the past few years, researchers have developed self-healing structures, revolutionary heating and cooling systems and buildings that eat smog. Read on to find out about those cool building technologies and a few more.