American elderly develops new air scrubber

Tian Yu, an 81-year-old Chinese man living in Los Angeles, has made a remarkable invention that could help combat air pollution. Using the name "Tian Yu" as a pseudonym, he developed an air scrubber and secured a patent from China's State Intellectual Property Office. His unique device uses water and common kitchen ingredients like salt, vinegar, or baking soda to filter out harmful substances from smog.

Despite his age, Tian Yu leads a comfortable life in a beachfront retirement community. He receives social security benefits and lives independently, enjoying the peace of his later years. However, his workshop is far from luxurious — he relies on simple tools and materials he finds at local Asian supermarkets. To test his invention, he used a sealed glass container, plastic tubes, and even bought laundry detergent in plastic barrels.

“The Chinese character for 'haze' has been around for thousands of years,” Tian Yu explained. “Originally, it described dust from strong winds that made the air dull.” Today, haze is more than just a visual issue — it contains dangerous toxins such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide. “Just relying on these pollutants isn’t enough to solve the problem,” he said.

To address this, Tian Yu designed an air scrubber that works by washing the polluted air before it reaches the lungs. The device uses a water-based medium, and users can customize the solution depending on the type of pollutants in the air. This makes the system highly adaptable and effective for different environments.

The air scrubber consists of two parts: one portable unit that resembles a lightweight gas mask, and a stationary indoor purifier. The portable version is easy to wear and doesn't make breathing difficult, unlike military-grade masks. It’s also significantly cheaper to produce. The indoor model uses a small motor to power the air purification process, making it efficient and user-friendly.

Tian Yu estimates that the total cost of producing the entire system is about 150 RMB. Despite the low cost, the device is both practical and innovative, offering a sustainable solution to air pollution using everyday materials. His story highlights the power of creativity and determination, proving that innovation can come from anywhere — even a quiet retirement home.

Copyright statement: This article is a reprint of online media, and it only represents the author's point of view. It has nothing to do with the China Labor Insurance Network. If any news articles or comments infringe your legal rights, please contact us and we will handle it promptly.