What does Project Koyash do?

We provide human-centered engineering solutions to uplift communities that lack clean air. We have designed, tested, and implemented 13 fully functional and autonomous units consisting of a solar-powered air filtration system. We build sustainable solutions that empower communities to equip people with clean air.

Why did Koyash start in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia?

As climate change accelerates, Ulaanbaatar has become one of the coldest capital cities and has limited access to electricity. In order to stay warm and cook food, the residents burn raw coal, exacerbating the air quality crisis. This is problematic because the entire city has air quality that is often five times higher than the healthy limit. Children and the elderly are at the forefront of this crisis as their lungs are most vulnerable. UNICEF has reported that these children have a lung capacity that is only 40 percent of what it should be.

How do the Koyash systems work?

Our units incorporate solar panels, air filters, PCB Arduinos, batteries, inverters, and a housing unit for electrical components. Despite the different components, the team has developed the PCB Arduino to run the system autonomously, meaning the residents do not need to touch the system once installed. Comprehensive testing of our systems in Ulaanbaatar has demonstrated that we are able to establish a healthy air quality within an hour - something that would otherwise not occur. The tests have revealed our system decreases AQI from 325 to 80 within one hour.

What is next for the project?

Our initial goal was to implement 13 ger’s with our system — that has now become a reality. We are now working to send 17 more units due to a recent grant from ASU President Dr. Crow We have seen the tremendous impact of these systems in the lives of the people; we are currently continuing to manufacture and send more units. We are working with our Community Partner, the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, and the Mongolian Consulate to develop a local supply chain for these systems.

How did Project Koyash originate?

At Arizona State University, a program exists meant to connect students with real-world engineering problems and develop their skills while providing betterment to the community. This program is known as “Engineering Projects in Community Service,” or EPICS, and is an award-winning community service and social entrepreneurship program. Teams work together to design, build, and deploy systems to solve engineering-based problems for charities, schools, and other not-for-profit organizations. When we found out about this issue through the World Health Organization we became passionate about becoming involved. We connected with the Taiwanese Fund for Children and Families which gave us the opportunity to implement a solution for the gers that they sponsor.

Why is the project named Koyash?

Koyash is the Mongolian God of the Sun. We wanted to use our project and our name to pay homage to Mongolian culture and raise awareness for the people of Ulaanbaatar and the air quality emergency.