The document provides a design brief for iAIR, a personal air purification device that aims to capture carbon dioxide from a user's personal space and convert it into oxygen through biomimicry. Key points include: - iAIR would create fresh air and reconnect individuals to nature by transforming carbon emissions into clean oxygen. - It would go beyond air purification by monitoring personal carbon emissions and transforming them. - The device would be portable, composed of sustainable/non-toxic materials, and target children aged 0-10 initially. - Collaboration is needed between businesses, non-profits, governments, and universities to develop, test, and bring awareness to iAIR.

1. DESIGN BRIEF
iAIR - PROVIDING CLEAN PERSONAL AIR
CHALLENGE
CONTENT
Guiterrez, Morris, Newsome, Puente and Sahiwala
GMNPS Design Consultants
• Exposure to indoor air pollutants is believed to have increased due to a variety of
factors, including the construction of more tightly sealed buildings.
• Studies indicate that improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) increases productivity and
improves performance of mental tasks in both adults and children.
• Recent findings from the UN Climate Change Report indicate that scientists are 95%
certain that climate change is due to man-made pollution.
• In 2009 lung disease claimed close to 134,000 lives in America making it the
third-leading cause of death in the country. A main contributor is air pollution.
• People who are most susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution are children and
older adults. Nearly 75% of Americans live with someone who has allergies, asthma,
or other respiratory illnesses.
• US cities have become highly vulnerable to poor IAQ. Top three major cities with Ozone
Depletion include Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY and Houston, TX.
• Conceive a personal care product that is portable and composed entirely of earth-abundant, inexpensive materials.
The iAIR will capture surrounding carbon dioxide from the personal space and convert into oxygen using the
principles of Biomimicry – akin to how plants photosynthesize.
• iAIR will create a sphere of fresh air that reconnects both individuals and groups to nature.
• Sustainable and non-toxic components must only be used, such as food based plastics used in OLED technology.
Any other materials will only contribute to the problem at hand and must be avoided at all costs.
• Air purifiers are seen as perceived competition. Marketing strategy will highlight iAIR’s main differences: iAir goes
beyond removing toxins; it monitors personal carbon emissions and transforms it into clean air.
• Given the biological nature of poor IAQ, a solution based on biological processes is fitting. Biomimicry serves this
function and must comply with Cradle to Cradle (C2C) principles.
90
PERCENT
INDOORS
HOME | 11HR
OFFICE / SCHOOL | 8.5HR
AUTOMOTIVE | 1HR
RECREATIONAL | 1.5HR
PUBLIC SPACES | 0.5HR
OTHERS | 1.5HR
HOW OUR TIME IS SPENT
ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS

2. OBJECTIVE
RESOURCES
• The iAIR should not only act as a purifying mechanism. In the long-run, iAIR seeks to transform behaviors by
bringing awareness by way of its sensory functions.
• To ensure mass appeal, it is imperative to design a family of products available at various price points and scales.
• The carbon emissions tracker - a component of iAIR - will help enforce a healthier lifestyle, as incentives can be
awarded to low-income markets that best utilize this feature.
• Many offices do not keep plants as people may have allergic reactions. The iAIR will not cause allergic reactions,
and will not require maintenance - water, sun, soil.
• A multi-collaborative effort will be needed for the success of this endeavor:
iAIR will initially target children aged 0 - 10 years as they are most
vulnerable to poor IAQ. Subsequently, future products will be
adapted and designed for elder age groups.
IDEA GENERATION
6 MONTHS 8 MONTHS 7 MONTHS 4 MONTHS
FEATURE DEVELOPMENT PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PRODUCT TESTING
COMPLETION
EVALUATION
• iAir will require a thorough cost analysis by various entities. Significant costs will be budgeted to cover
research on new sustainable technology. This would ensure the project is completed in tandem with future
UN Climate Change meetings.
• Introduce product to the market by December 2015. There is an urgency as many people are affected by poor
IAQ. There are several design competitions aimed at solving these problems which reflect a high demand and
potential competition.
• iAIR will succeed if it eliminates carbon dioxide from personal spaces and thereby provides a certain
perimeter of personal space with renewed air, i.e., clean “oxygen”.
• Additionally, iAIR will succeed if it is used by individuals from various income brackets. It must be adopted by
the masses, to truly have an overall effect on the environment and creates awareness about poor IAQ.
1) business industry to drive the creative force behind the project
2) non-profit sector to bring awareness
3) government departments for their extensive data and research on
air quality/pollution and how it affects vulnerable populations
4) universities for testing capabilities and advanced equipment
BUSINESSES
GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENTS
NON-PROFITS
UNIVERSITIES
• Survey schools and government agencies
to determine potential guidelines for use
• Research non-toxic materials to be used
to build a product that is biodegradable
and/or recyclable
• Conduct market research to project cost
of goods for viability
• Create user-friendly tools that calculate
carbon emissions in any given space
• Effectively mimic the process of
photosynthesis
• Use 3D printing technology to allow
greater product customization
• Develop various prototypes
• Revise plans as needed
• Estimate final return on capital
investments
• Host product demonstrations over a three
month period in schools and homes to
receive feedback
• Give away 100 devices to willing
participants, asking them to record their
experience based on ease of use,
noticeable change in air quality, and
increase in personal productivity