Teen Invents Air-Cleaning System That Boosts Focus 24%

Hridank Garodia noticed something strange at 14: he felt fine outdoors but got headaches and brain fog every day in class. That nagging contrast led him to discover what most students never see.

The invisible culprit was carbon dioxide. In crowded Mumbai classrooms, CO2 levels can climb to 1,200 to 1,500 parts per million, silently draining attention and energy from everyone inside.

Most teens would complain and move on. Hridank started experimenting with mason jars of microalgae on his study table.

"At first, there was no master plan," he admits. The algae absorbed carbon dioxide and released oxygen, but keeping them alive proved harder than expected.

For months, he worked in his school lab, adjusting nutrients, light, and balance. "The real test was maintaining stability," he explains, pushing for consistency over days instead of hours.

His parents never dismissed the idea. Teachers and mentors from IIT Bombay helped refine his vision into something real.

By 2023, Aerovive was born. The system channels indoor air through living algae that absorb CO2 and release fresh oxygen in a controlled cycle.

The results surprised even Hridank. Tests in actual classrooms showed students experienced up to 24 percent improvement in attention and clarity, with noticeably less fatigue throughout the day.

Why This Inspires

Hridank didn't wait for adults to solve a problem only he seemed to notice. He turned personal discomfort into a solution that makes learning easier for everyone who shares his classroom air.

Now he teaches other students about these invisible ecosystems through his "Invisible Heroes Lab." He wants young people to see that the best solutions often start with paying attention to what everyone else ignores.

Selected as a top science finalist, Aerovive has attracted funding interest. But Hridank says there's still much to achieve.

Today, the device hums softly in gyms and classrooms across Mumbai. People breathe easier without realizing a teenager's curiosity changed the air around them.