Because it is not a problem? Also not solved. If you see the video the air still overlaps and you have no way of circulating individual passenger air. A sneeze is quite forceful and will convert the laminated airflow into turbulent. And personal AC zones is nothing new - been in the luxury car industry for a decade or so.

Now I am a simple programmer but what I would do is create system with 2 circles - outlets that suck air above each passenger and only one pump that pumps air into the cabin. Will either irradiate the air in transit.

Who cares? It's a KID experiencing a moment of discovery after hard work. This deserves nothing but praise and support.

Well, why don't you do it then? Make it happen. Submit an article, etc. If you CAN do it better you SHOULD!

Why bother? Airplanes are complicated enough to make them even more complicated, so we can solve non existing problem to calm the germophobia of people.

Of course you could have provided arguments to show why my criticism of his invention were not valid ... and actually have discussion. But whatever ...

Plus, most germs are spread by contact. It would be more beneficial to wipe down the armrests.

I did not mean anything like that. I have my own problems to solve. I only used my experience to asses that I have seen great solutions to more difficult problems by same-age people (17, 18 yr old undergrad students), and not that I am the expert in anything.

I did not piss on his effort; I actually thought it was worthwhile and impressive for a high-school student. MY point was that on a first look, regarding domain knowledge, there seemed to be more interesting competitors that were more deserving on the prize.

But who am I to judge, anyway?