Mumbai Teen Uses Algae to Boost Student Focus by 24%

Hridank Garodia was sitting in class at 14 when he noticed something strange: his brain felt foggy, headaches crept in, and focusing on simple tasks felt impossible. The moment he stepped outside, everything cleared.

He wasn't stressed or sick. The air inside his Mumbai classroom was the problem.

Every person exhales carbon dioxide with every breath. In crowded, poorly ventilated rooms, those levels climb quickly. You can't see or smell it, but your body knows: you feel tired, sluggish, and mentally drained.

Hridank refused to accept this as normal. He started experimenting with microalgae, tiny green organisms that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. He filled mason jars with algae and lined them up on his study table.

The first attempts worked for a few days, then failed. Algae would die without the right nutrients, or multiply too fast and take over. Keeping them alive and stable was harder than any science textbook suggested.

For six months, Hridank ran careful trials in his school lab with guidance from his chemistry teacher, Premalatha Srinath. He adjusted light levels, airflow, and nutrients. He documented every attempt, failed repeatedly, and learned what worked.

By mid-2023, he had a working prototype. With support from his parents and mentorship from experts, he refined the design into a practical device he called Aerovive. It uses microalgae to continuously filter indoor air, reducing carbon dioxide and boosting oxygen levels.

Rohan Deshpande, a trainer at a central Mumbai gym, noticed the difference immediately. During peak hours when 30 to 40 people filled one section, the air used to feel suffocating. Runners would quit treadmills early. Lifters took longer breaks. Mental fatigue set in faster than physical exhaustion.

After installing Aerovive, the change was clear. Members stayed focused longer. Recovery between sets improved. The invisible pressure that everyone had accepted for years simply lifted.

In schools where Aerovive was tested, student focus improved by 24%. Teachers reported fewer complaints of headaches and drowsiness. The air felt fresher without opening windows or running noisy ventilation systems.

The Ripple Effect

What started as one teenager's headache in a classroom is now solving a problem millions of people experience daily. Indoor air pollution affects offices, schools, gyms, and homes across crowded cities. Most people don't realize carbon dioxide is draining their energy and concentration.

Hridank's system offers a natural, sustainable solution. Unlike mechanical ventilation that consumes energy, microalgae work continuously with minimal maintenance. They turn a problem into oxygen.

From mason jars on a study table to real-world installations across Mumbai, a 17-year-old proved that fresh air isn't a luxury—it's solvable.