McGill University

Respire

FINALIST PROJECT

Marie Pyun, Margaux Martin-Prevel, Minh Tri Pham, Adam Farhat

Respire is a bio-based air filter made from agricultural waste like corn husks, transformed into lightweight nanocellulose foams that trap airborne particles. Using green chemistry and freeze-drying, it creates a porous, hydrophobic material compatible with standard HVAC systems or DIY frames. Beyond being a material, Respire aims to democratize clean air by sharing open-source recipes and developing a countertop “Re-Form Machine” to recycle spent filters into reusable slurry. This empowers schools, clinics, and makerspaces to produce and regenerate filters locally, envisioning a sustainable, closed-loop air filtration system accessible to communities worldwide.

​Dr. Allen Ehrlicher is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at McGill University, with additional affiliations in Anatomy and Cell Biology, Mechanical Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering. He leads the Biological and Active Materials (BAM) Lab, where his research focuses on the mechanics of biological materials and their failure in diseases, as well as the development of biomimetic materials inspired by biomechanics. Dr. Ehrlicher has contributed to significant advancements in bioengineering, including the development of stronger, tougher glass inspired by the inner layer of mollusk shells, known as nacre. This innovative material, which combines the strength of glass with the resilience of plastic, has potential applications in improving the durability of cell phone screens and other devices. Dr. Ehrlicher is committed to interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship, fostering a research environment that bridges physics, biology, and materials science to address complex challenges in bioengineering.