PureAura

PureAura is an ultra-compact, low-cost air purification solution born from Humanitarian Technology principles, designed specifically for extreme high-density living environments like Hong Kong's Subdivided Units (SDUs). Over 120,000 low-income families reside in these severely confined spaces, suffering from poor ventilation and hazardous indoor air quality that drastically increases respiratory health risks.

Applying a "subtractive design" philosophy, our team at Lingnan University eliminated unnecessary electronic complexities to maximize affordability and sustainability. Manufactured entirely from recycled plastics, PureAura weighs under 660 grams and measures less than 20cm in all dimensions. Despite its pocket-sized form, field tests prove it reduces indoor PM2.5 concentrations by 80%, meeting the WHO's 2021 Global Air Quality Guidelines.

Crucially, PureAura removes the financial barriers to health. The production cost is merely US$15, with semi-annual filter replacements costing around US$4. Engineered for ultimate energy efficiency, it operates via a standard USB-A connection and can run for 40 hours on a 10,000mAh power bank, ensuring minimal electricity expenses. Its versatile, wall-mountable design requires zero floor space, seamlessly integrating into severely cramped quarters.

As a flagship pilot project of the newly established United Nations University Hub at Lingnan, PureAura transcends local boundaries. Its modular, easily assembled framework makes it highly scalable. Currently expanding through university collaborations in the Philippines, PureAura demonstrates how empathetic, sustainable design can democratize clean air, transforming a fundamental human right into an accessible reality for the world's most vulnerable communities.