Natural Air Purifier

The component filters air through a sprig of moss

Northwestern Engineering first-year students Lauren Ashby, Matthew Schilling, and Bill Yen won the 2020 Product Development Management Association’s White Space Challenge for designing a natural air purifier – named Arbor – that uses moss.

The component, which resembles a small tree, pulls in air and sends it back out after filtering it through moss.

“Arbor is a sustainable and clog-free air purifier that enhances the indoor environment through removing particulate and gaseous contaminants, increasing humidity, and releasing negative ions while fitting on a variety of surfaces.” From team presentation

Problem

Air quality in dorms and other shared spaces can be contaminated due to a lack of circulation.

Solution

Arbor, a component that resembles a small tree, pulls in air and sends it back out after filtering it through a sprig of moss. It is designed not to clog because moss cleans itself as it captures particles from the air. 

Development Process

The students began working on the project during winter quarter, inspired by living in their dormitories. They studied the air quality in dorms and also a nursing home in nearby Niles, Illinois. They performed two surveys on air quality, asked how people feel about plants, and even discussed those topics with two different companies: Moss Mats LLC and Green City Solutions.

The component won the 2020 Product Development Management Association’s White Space Challenge.

Current Status

Team members split a $2,500 prize for winning the contest, and they earned the opportunity to present at the national competition as part of PDMA’s annual national conference. They are also considering pursuing a patent for their idea.