Xiaoyue Gong ‘17’s Air Purifier Project Picks up UN Award

Sep 14 2016

NYU Shanghai’s Xiaoyue Gong ‘17's idea for a smart air purifying stystem was recognised by the United Nations' 2016 Summer Youth Assembly.

The senior student was recently invited to present her award-winning social venture Aeo, a networked indoor air quality monitoring system, at the assembly's ninth Social Venture Challenge.

Aeo was founded to combat the severe health effects of indoor air pollution in Shanghai, China by building a network of air monitoring devices, and an app to provide access to air quality information.

The project aims to provide real-time air quality ratings of public indoor areas, such as shopping malls, restaurants, and schools, so that people can make informed decisions about where they spend their time.

Gong beat 19 semi-finalist teams to be selected as one of three winning projects, receiving $3,000 and mentorship to support further development of the project.

The award is the latest in a string of accolades for Gong’s invention, including Best Overall Venture in the Reynolds Changemaker Challenge and funding from VentureWell’s E-Team Grant Program.