High Schoolers Develop Ultrasonic Technology for Microplastic Removal in Water
Two high school students from The Woodlands, Texas, Victoria Ou and Justin Huang, have developed an innovative 'Acoustic Filtration' system that uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to remove microplastics from water. Their prototype achieved 84-94% removal of suspended microplastics in a single pass without chemicals or expensive membranes. The technology works by creating a 'wall of sound' that concentrates microplastics into a tight region, making them easier to block and collect. This pen-sized device is designed to be compact, low-power, and affordable, offering a realistic path toward addressing invisible plastic pollution in drinking water. Their project, titled 'Acoustic Filtration: Harnessing Ultrasonic Technology for the Streamlined Removal of Microplastic Particles from Water Flow,' earned them the $50,000 Gordon E. Moore Award at Regeneron ISEF 2024 and international recognition. The research suggests a novel application of ultrasound for the removal of aqueous microplastics.