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Hayk Ghazaryan (18), Tigran Avanyan (17) and Hovhannes Sergey Manukyan (18), have won the CBE JU bioeconomy prize at the 2026 European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS). Their project, Airify, turns corn husks into a biodegradable, self-cleaning air filter.
The prize was presented at the award ceremony on 27 September in Kiel, Germany. The winners will now travel to Brussels to meet CBE JU staff, EU policymakers and industry stakeholders, where they will have the opportunity to present their research and learn more about the development of Europe's bio-based economy.
The three students, who attended the same high school in Armenia, are now pursuing their studies abroad: Hovhannes and Tigran at the University of Edinburgh and Hayk at Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi. Their inspiration for Airify came from growing concerns about air pollution, particularly in their home country.
We were inspired to develop Airify by growing air pollution and its impact on human health, particularly in our home country of Armenia, where air pollution exceeds international limits by five times. Traditional oil-based filters are not biodegradable and can release toxic pollutants when burned. We wanted to address an environmental problem with an environmentally friendly solution, using corn to create a more sustainable air filter. Airify is a team built on a passion and a desire to fix what we think is the most important: environmental problems.
Hovhannes Manukyan, EUCYS 2026 bioeconomy prize winner
For the team, winning the CBE JU bioeconomy prize is not only recognition of their work, but also a sign that environmental challenges matter and that efforts to address them are valued. Looking ahead, they hope their project can contribute to cleaner air and a safer environment, while inspiring others to develop sustainable solutions to environmental issues.
Turning corn husks into cleaner air
The trio’s project, Airify: Development of a Biodegradable Self-Cleaning Air Filter from Corn Husk Biomass Functionalized with TiO₂ and Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles transforms agricultural waste into a biodegradable air filter designed to remove particulate matter while offering self-cleaning and antibacterial properties.
Made from corn husk biomass, the filter is coated with titanium dioxide (TiO₂), which enables photocatalytic self-cleaning under UV light. Green-synthesised silver nanoparticles provide antibacterial activity, while the filter achieves a reported 90% particulate matter removal efficiency. By combining agricultural waste valorisation, green nanotechnology and air purification, Airify aims to improve indoor air quality while supporting a more circular economy.
Every year, EUCYS shows us the remarkable scientific talent emerging across Europe. This year, Airify stood out for its creative approach to turning agricultural waste into a biodegradable air filter. It is an excellent example of how young researchers are putting the principles of the circular bioeconomy into practice, transforming biological resources into solutions with real-world potential. We are delighted to recognise Hayk, Tigran and Hovhannes through the CBE JU bioeconomy prize and look forward to welcoming them to Brussels.
Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, CBE JU Executive Director
An international jury of around 25 scientists and industry experts evaluates EUCYS projects based on originality, research methodology, scientific reasoning and the quality of the presentations. In 2026, 144 participants from 37 countries presented projects across ten scientific disciplines.
What is EUCYS?
The European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) is an annual event organised by the European Commission to promote scientific excellence among Europe's youth. It provides a platform for students aged 14–20 to compete with their peers at a European level, showcasing their innovative projects. The 2026 edition ran from 22 to 27 September in Kiel, Germany.
Since 2016, CBE JU has supported the contest by sponsoring the bioeconomy prize, which rewards projects that use biological raw materials in sustainable, renewable and innovative ways while fostering scientific research and environmental awareness. The prize includes a visit to the CBE JU Programme Office and EU institutions in Brussels, alongside meetings with key bioeconomy stakeholders.