Catalight

Catalight is an device that uses bio-inspired catalytic technology to scrub Volatile Organic Compounds from the air. This version of Catalight is specifically designed to break down ethylene gas, which causes fruit ripening. The hope is that this product will reduce food waste in supermarkets and homes by lengthening the shelf-life of fresh fruit, so that we can all be healthier, happier, and more sustainable. Future versions of this product will be aimed at removing formaldehyde gas from homes, another VOC that is particularly harmful to human health. Patents pending. In collaboration with: Oliver Luo, Margaret George, Robert Wang, David Gomez-Gil

2018
A nano bio-inspired technology design that sustainably keeps food from rippening.
TECHNOLOGY

We partnered with scientists at the Wyss Institute at Harvard and the Aizenberg Biomineralization and Biomimetics Lab to produce a design proposal leveraging the emerging technology of synthesizing designed catalytic system to break down volatile organic compounds such as ethylene, which is responsible for activating and sustaining the ripening process in fruits.
THE PROBLEM

More than 40% of food is wasted in the US. We wanted to investigate that problem by looking at the numbers. We focused on the two last number of the food chain: distribution and retail and consumer losses. 
How can disruptive innovative nanotechnology can tackle the problem of food waste? 
DESIGN AND PROTOTYPING PROCESS
MARKET STUDIES
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