Punjab Students Made An Algae-Based Air Purifier To Help Clean The Air

Harin - Jan 31, 2020

The researchers were inspired to develop an algae-based air purifier from current space research on producing oxygen in space using algae.

For Indian citizens, a fresh breath of air has now become a luxury. Cities like the country’s capital Delhi, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Noida are among the most polluted cities in the world. Many have started installing air purifiers at their homes and offices to improve air quality. But not all people can afford such expenses.

Recently, a 20-ft-tall smog tower was set up in Lajpat Nagar Central Market in Delhi by the Traders Association Lajpat Nagar in collaboration with the East Delhi MP Gautam Gambir.

Now, to contribute their efforts to help clean the air, a group of researching students in Punjab has come up with an algae-based air purifier. The group has claimed that their air purifier can neutralize 98% of particulate matter and harmful gasses as well as increasing the amount of oxygen indoors to make it more breathable.

The air purifier is called OX-C and was a joint invention between Lovely Professional University and IISER Mohali. The researchers said that they had been inspired to develop an algae-based air purifier from current space research focusing on producing oxygen in space using algae.

Lovely Professional University’s head of division of startup, the OX-C air purifier uses a completely different technology than other air purifiers on the market. He said:

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Through this innovative air purifier, biomass is produced as the photosynthesis process’ byproduct, which can be sold to industries such as FMCD, pharmaceuticals, and bio development products to produce energy. The team which consists of Btech students Deepak Deb and Anant Kumar Rajput has started making a working prototype.

The team has already filed for a patent and is now discussing with industry experts for the product’s commercialization. By September 2020, the OX-C as well as OX-C 2.0, its higher version, are expected to hit the market. The OX-C will reportedly cost around Rs 18,000 while the higher version will cost around Rs 25,000. The team is also researching algae-based face masks.