Ryan Murphy is a 16-year-old musician and engineer from Thailand building low-cost air purifiers for the students he teaches in Khlong Toei, one of Bangkok’s most polluted districts.

While teaching violin in Khlong Toei, Murphy saw students struggle with nosebleeds and asthma in music rooms exposed to heavy particulate pollution. After more than 100 hours of research and 15 prototypes, he built a HEPA purifier from locally available components for less than $30, with airflow approaching that of commercial units. Working with the Bangkok Community Help Foundation, he has placed more than 60 purifiers in the music school, nearby schools and family homes. A fourth version combines air filtration with a mosquito trap, extending the design around two everyday health pressures.

Murphy founded AirPure and designed and tested each prototype. He also leads community build workshops, works with technical advisers and coordinates partnerships intended to bring the design to more schools across Southeast Asia.