A Hong Kong-based biotechnology start-up has reportedly developed a liquid microalgae air purifier capable of absorbing harmful greenhouse gases from the surrounding atmosphere.
Founded by a group of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology graduates, AIGreen was established in 2021 when the young researchers discovered an algae variety with carbon capture and storage properties up to 15 times more efficient than common houseplants.
While still students, the founders observed the profound carbon capture properties of algae in a biotechnology class, and upon completing their studies in 2021, the team went on to establish AIGreen.
The company has diligently worked to design and manufacture products from the microalgae and is now seeking to bring their breakthrough design to market, said Rehaan Lulla, AIGreen co-founder and chief technology officer.
The company’s primary product, a 750-millilitre bio-capture system, sometimes referred to as ‘liquid plant’, is a photobioreactor air purifier that, according to Lulla, absorbs up to 6.3 grams of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every week – the equivalent of 15 average-sized house plants.
Senior research analyst at AIGreen, Tasin Khan, said the team’s microalgae product not only extracts harmful carbon dioxide gases from the surrounding air but also enriches the local atmosphere with oxygen through the photosynthesis process.
AIGreen initially started offering their liquid plant kit as a science, technology, engineering and mathematics education tool, as well as to curious students and families but has since scaled up and made it available in bulk.
The company intends to sell an industrial-sized version of the liquid plant bio-capture system targeted at public institutions and private companies. A beefed-up 1 000-litre, solar-powered version of the kit could become available as soon as 2024, with the start-up already in discussion with several interested parties, according to AIGreen.
In a recent interview, Lulla said six 1000-litre microalgae kits can extract a tonne of noxious carbon dioxide gasses from the atmosphere every year, significantly improving overall air quality.
AIGreen was incorporated into the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park incubation programme in 2022 where it received a $53 900 investment after passing set milestones, according to the South China Morning Post.
The standard liquid plant purifier prototype can be purchased online with prices starting at $6.99, with the final version set for release sometime in 2024.
