What will they think of next?

What does it take to conceive a brilliant innovation? For starters, a mind that can’t stop asking “what if?” questions, followed by a persistent pursuit to find a problem’s solution.   

And today’s young people are demonstrating an extraordinary curiosity with ground-breaking results.  

Filter toxic microplastics from water?

Victoria Ou and Justin Huang, 17, from Woodlands, Texas, developed an ultrasonic device that won a $50,000 award at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Their invention uses high-pitched sound waves to remove 84 to 94 percent of microplastics from water, targeting pollutants like polyurethane, polystyrene, and polyethylene. Although still in its early stages, the duo is optimistic about scaling the technology for use in wastewater treatment, industrial facilities, and household items. Their success marks a significant step toward tackling the global microplastic crisis. More

Convert sports arena noise to electricity?

Inspired by Disney’s Monsters, Inc. movie that generated energy from children’s screams, Gyeongyun Lily Min, a 17-year-old from Louisiana, spent seven months in her makeshift laboratory developing a method to convert sports arena sound vibrations into electrical energy with piezoelectric devices. Using a model stadium, she tested different energy harvester designs and found that strategic placement significantly increased voltage output. Min’s sound-based energy harvesting solution could help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and become a promising step toward sustainable energy solutions. More