In a busy university fabrication lab in Singapore, amid the whir of 3D printers and laser cutters, Tanvi Thombre made a startling discovery that would transform her life's mission. The air she and her fellow engineering students breathed every day was slowly poisoning them – and nobody could see it.

The reality hit home when her best friend collapsed in the lab, overcome by invisible toxic gases. As they sat in the hospital waiting room, Tanvi realized they'd stumbled upon a crisis hiding in plain sight: while we obsess over outdoor air pollution, we're spending 90% of our lives breathing potentially dangerous air indoors. Traditional air purifiers trap dust but leave toxic gases untouched, creating a false sense of security in our homes, offices, and schools.

Armed with her engineering background and driven by personal experience, Tanvi embarked on an ambitious mission. She dedicated her Master's research to a revolutionary idea: what if we could supercharge nature's own air-purifying capabilities? Through countless experiments and innovative thinking over 4 years, she developed smart plant towers that accelerate natural air purification up to 100 times faster than normal plants, while eliminating the environmental waste of disposable filters.

But Tanvi's breakthrough came with an unexpected twist. During demonstrations, she noticed something remarkable: children were captivated not just by the technology, but by the plants themselves. In an age where many young people think "food comes from supermarkets," she saw an opportunity to tackle another critical challenge: disconnection from nature and sustainable farming practices.

This observation led to Greenairy's second innovation: a microgreen farming tower coupled with a gamified sustainability app. Microgreens were chosen because they could be harvested every 10 days, keeping up with the excitement children had to grow their own greens. It's more than just a growing system – it's a gateway for young people to reconnect with nature and understand their role in building a sustainable future.

The impact has been extraordinary. In over 30 office installations, Greenairy's towers have slashed toxic VOC levels by half and reduced CO2 by 20%. More than 200 students have discovered the joy of growing their own food through the educational program, with teachers reporting unprecedented engagement in environmental topics. One child's excitement about growing their own food has often sparked entire families to embrace sustainable practices at home.

Today, Tanvi stands at the forefront of a dual revolution in urban living: creating healthier indoor spaces while nurturing environmental stewardship in the next generation. With plans to deploy 70 towers across schools and offices in the next year, she's proving that the solution to some of our biggest environmental challenges might be growing right in front of us.

SHIFTERS 100

Shining a light on the young people and ideas changing our world.

Tanvi R Thombre

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Tanvi's story

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Watch Tanvi's Podcast Episode

Shining a light on the young people
and ideas changing our world.

Watch Tanvi's
Podcast Episode