21 February 2020, Bangkok – Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC) by Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC), focusing on its key mission of “For All Well-Being” to enhance life for all living beings, following the launch of the "Fahsai" hybrid automatic air purification tower in January is working with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Bangkok Design Week 2020, and the Ratchaprasong Square Traders Association (RSTA) to install the “Fresh One” urban air purifier at the heart of Bangkok.

"Fresh One" is an electrostatic air purifier with 6 units and can purify up to 9,000 cubic meters of air each hour, filtering out PM2.5 dust. The air purifier will be installed in front of Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard on Ratchadamri Road in Ratchaprasong throughout 2020 to purify air and gather data. The device will collect information throughout the year to improve the efficiency of the air purifier operations at the pedestrian level, including by analyzing the amount and type of dust collected to help develop highly efficient next-generation urban air purifiers.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Singh Intrachooto, Chief Advisor to the Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC), said: "RISC by MQDC is following its commitment to sustainable quality of life. In the past, we have focused mainly on research for indoor quality of life as people spend over 90% of their days inside buildings. But last year’s air quality crisis has prompted RISC to pursue research outside buildings. We are therefore extending and developing innovative urban air purifiers with 2 technologies that research has found to be effective in air purification: 1. Hybrid air purifier tower, which was used with ‘Fahsai’, an air purifier launched in the middle of January; 2. ‘Electrostatic air purifier’, with ‘Fresh One’, now being installed in front of Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard on Ratchadamri Road in Ratchaprasong in Bangkok."

Electrostatic air purifiers use electrostatic precipitation technology. They give dust a charge then capture it with material carrying the opposite charge, releasing clean air. The systems have no air filters and their components can be easily removed and washed. “Fresh One” can filter out small dust and PM2.5 and can purify up to 9,000 cubic meters of air each hour.

"RISC chose to develop an urban air purifier with the second technology because research found it is highly efficient in air purification and doesn't require a lot of maintenance. It is suitable for city air purification. There is also a plan to collect data from the air purifiers throughout 2020 to assess their efficiency from season to season as the temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction change. We aim to understand dust behavior and collect dust for analysis as a more direct approach to solving the root problem. We can use this information to enhance the efficiency of the next generation of technology before rolling it out for the public as MQDC and RISC intend, benefiting not only MQDC residents but all people," said Dr. Singh.

Dr. Siwaruk Siwamogsatham, Director of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), said: "NSTDA is very excited to work with RISC, a private organization that is ready to face many challenges. Our work with RISC has helped develop ‘Fresh One’, a large urban air purifier to help create fresh air for the city. It can be considered as a great benefit for society. We are uniting expertise and determination to develop new technologies for sustainable well-being for everyone. We sincerely hope that ‘Fresh One’ will be a part of solving the air quality crisis."

Mr. Apisit Laistrooglai, Executive Director of the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), said: "As the organizer of the Bangkok Design Week 2020, I am delighted that RISC has honored the event by enabling it to showcase the 'Fresh One' electrostatic air purifier and the ‘Fahsai’ hybrid automatic air purifier. We are very proud to help support displays that can contribute greatly to the quality of life of Bangkokians. Bangkok Design Week 2020 can thereby expand its exhibition space and audience. The air quality crisis affects all of us. We sincerely hope that Bangkok Design Week 2020 will be another way to raise awareness of air quality problems and encourage further change."

Mr. Chai Srivikorn, President of the Ratchaprasong Square Traders Association (RSTA), said: "The Ratchaprasong Square Traders Association is delighted and honored that MQDC has chosen to be our member and to be involved in supporting Ratchaprasong as a dust-reduction neighborhood. I would like to admire the intention to create sustainable living not only for MQDC residents but all society. RISC is as an organization with expertise in research and innovation for well-being. The installation of the ‘Fresh One’ electrostatic air purifier with 6 units at Ratchaprasong, which can be considered the city center, with 600,000 visitors a day, can help mitigate the air quality crisis and improve air quality in the area. I hope that MQDC can also analyze dust data to further develop new technologies that will be extended to the public under the vision of MQDC."

The "Fresh One" electrostatic air purifier is in front of Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard on Ratchadamri Road. The "Clear Sky" hybrid automatic air purification tower is the Family Park of 101 True Digital Park project. Both devices will be installed throughout 2020.