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Allergen Information and Reduction System (AIRS)
Author : Shreya Sriram, Grade 12
High School : Commack High School, Commack, NY
Process Used : Whole System Design Thinking
Publication Date : February 15, 2022
The purpose of this research article is to address the problem of allergies, specifically those caused by pollen grains and dust particles. Due to climate change, allergy seasons are increasing, resulting in worsened allergy symptoms not only to those who have always suffered from allergies, but also to those who have never experienced allergies. As a result, my two-part solution informs users of the outdoor airborne allergen status through a mobile app and an innovative, eco-friendly table-top device that can be carried to school or a workplace to minimize exposure to indoor allergens. Utilizing industrial designing processes and strategies from biomimicry and green chemistry, the device captures indoor allergens within a diameter of six feet, acting like a protective bubble in which allergens are reduced, while facilitating air flow around the user. This futuristic solution will help us manage the worsening allergen conditions without pharmaceutical remediation.