This is truly inspiring, especially for a young student like myself!! I hope you can share this story with other young people to inspire.

Fionn Ferreira, an Irish high school student, gained international recognition for his innovative discovery aimed at removing microplastics from water. In 2019, at the age of 18, Fionn won the Google Science Fair's grand prize for his project titled "An Investigation into the Removal of Microplastics from Water using Ferrofluids."

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size that have become a significant environmental concern due to their ubiquitous presence in oceans, rivers, and even drinking water. They can have harmful effects on marine life, ecosystems, and potentially human health when ingested through the food chain. In fact, researchers have found microplastics in human bodies and even in infants’ feces!!

Ferreira's project focused on addressing this issue using a substance called ferrofluid, which is a liquid that becomes magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field. The innovative aspect of his project was to use ferrofluids to attract and remove microplastics from water, essentially creating a magnetic filter to extract these particles.

His experiment involved mixing oil and magnetite powder to create the ferrofluid, and then exposing this mixture to water containing microplastics. By applying a magnetic field, Ferreira was able to make the ferrofluid attract and bind to the microplastics, effectively separating them from the water. This approach offered a potential solution for removing microplastics from various water sources.

Fionn Ferreira's work serves as an inspiring example of how youths can contribute to scientific advancements and raise awareness about critical environmental challenges. Fionn Ferreira

source: https://www.fionnferreira.com/