Masters Showcase 2025 Student Spotlight: Anna Tubey
Student Spotlight featuring MSc Design: Products and Technology student, Anna Tubey, and her project 'Lüfa'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 7 August 2025
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The project
Lüfa is an air purification system designed to replace the need for expensive, plastic-based air filters. It does this by utilising the natural adsorption process in sphagnum moss, which effectively works to scrub the air from the usual irritants such as pollen, dust and dander, whilst also working to absorb CO₂ and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air too, which typical plastic High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are not capable of. Anna's product utilises six trays of sphagnum moss (the variety native to the UK and readily available) which clean the air as it travels through the product, producing healthy and fresh air without the need to ever replace the filters - because, as she says, "clean air shouldn’t cost the Earth".
The air purification uses sphagnum moss, native to the UK and easily available, to replace plastic air filters.
The inspiration behind the project
As someone who has respiratory sensitivities and suffers from hay fever, Anna was inspired to create Lüfa after finding out about the costs - both financial and environmental - of air purification. She says:
"I was looking into getting an air purifier in my room, but discovered after some research that air purifiers are most effective when their filters are replaced frequently. Those filters are expensive, and the cost quickly adds up when replacing them several times a year. On top of that, those plastic filters are contaminated from the particles they catch, meaning they cannot be recycled either. This became the first inspiration for my project, trying to figure out a way in which clean air could be acquired without the need for senseless amounts of plastic waste. But further research also highlighted the death of a young girl from London, the first ever ruling made in UK courts that labelled the cause of death as 'air pollution'. She died in her own home, a testament to the fact that indoor air quality is vital to quality of life and people's health. I hope my product would be at least a step in the right direction towards safer and cleaner air for all."
Anna hopes the product is "a step in the right direction towards safer and cleaner air".
Being part of NTU
Designing Lüfa was not without its challenges. "From the very beginnings of moss research, through to the inner technical workings of the entire product, there have been countless failures, headaches and learning curves throughout. But overall, this project has enabled me to develop as a designer in ways I would never have imagined, and even develop a bit of a green thumb in the process!"
Despite these hurdles, Anna says that NTU has been an unforgettable experience. "I have made great friends, with both staff and students alike. With everybody completing such differing projects, you’re free to develop your own skills that align with your interests. For me, I have learnt about electronics, designing for manufacture, designing for 3D printing, and even how to repair machinery throughout my time here. I look forward to being able to put these skills to use in the future."
Closing remarks
Anna has the following advice for future NTU product designers: "Come prepared! If you have an idea for your final project, you will be able to hit the ground running. NTU has fantastic facilities (both physical and digital), I highly recommend making the most of them whilst here. Alongside that, you will have great opportunities to develop your own skills with help from the workshop staff, and even a few CAD lessons too. The community vibe at NTU is great, and I am proud to be NTU alumni."
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