Can AI make indoor air cleaner and cheaper to maintain? A new approach may finally solve the long-standing HVAC filter problem.
Indoor air quality became a major concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing how poorly filtered air can contribute to the spread of airborne diseases. In most buildings, HVAC systems are responsible for circulating this air, yet improving their filtration efficiency often comes at a cost. Filters that trap more harmful particles tend to restrict airflow, forcing the system to work harder and consume more energy. This tradeoff between clean air and energy efficiency has long limited progress in designing better filters.
A research team led by Prof. Amit Rawal from the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, IIT Delhi, has taken a new approach to this problem using machine learning. The team built a data-driven framework that learns from global studies on filter materials and performance. By analyzing how different materials, pore structures, and configurations affect both air cleanliness and resistance, the AI model can predict how a filter will behave before it is built.
This predictive ability allows engineers to design filters that achieve high particle capture while maintaining smooth airflow, reducing the energy burden on HVAC systems. The model was validated with industrial data from Elofic Industries Ltd., showing that it can guide real-world filter design decisions.
Such an approach could help industries, offices, hospitals, and schools achieve cleaner indoor air without raising power costs. By combining material science and AI, the study points to a future where healthier indoor environments are easier and more efficient to maintain.
“This strong industry–academia partnership demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate innovation, paving the way for cleaner indoor air, lower energy costs, and better preparedness against future health crises. By harnessing AI, our goal is to make healthier indoor environments accessible to everyone, from schools and hospitals to workplaces and homes”, said Prof. Amit Rawal, Textile and Fibre Engineering, IIT Delhi.
