New Delhi: With air pollution soaring in the city, keeping indoor air clean is more important than ever. Whether at home or at work, we increasingly rely on air filters within heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to remove dust and harmful particles from the air we breathe. Recently, a research team led by teachers from Delhi Technological University developed a new machine learning framework to make these filters more effective and energy efficient.The team, led by Professor Amit Rawal from IIT-Delhi’s Department of Textile and Textile Engineering, designed a system that predicts how well a filter can purify the air while allowing smooth airflow. These two elements often interact with each other. Typically, filters that trap more pollutants impede air circulation and increase the energy consumption of your HVAC system. The new framework, trained on extensive global data, helps capture more pollutants and maintain the right balance without overburdening the system.The framework, tested using industrial data from Elofi Industries Ltd, showed promising results in guiding real-world filter design. “This strong industry-university partnership demonstrates how artificial intelligence can accelerate innovation and pave the way for cleaner indoor air, lower energy costs, and better preparedness for future health crises,” Lawal said. “By leveraging AI, our goal is to make healthier indoor environments available to everyone, from schools and hospitals to workplaces and homes.” The study, published in the journal Separation and Purification Technology, brought together experts from Delhi Institute of Technology, Boros University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, NIT Raipur, Bennett University, and Erophic Industries.Experts say the study has particular significance for Delhi, which consistently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities. With air quality levels often exceeding safe limits, residents are increasingly relying on indoor spaces and filtration devices to escape harmful outdoor conditions. But without efficient filtration, even indoor air can pose a silent health threat, carrying particulate matter that exacerbates respiratory and cardiovascular problems, experts have revealed.
