10/08/2025
Two Texas teens invented a soundwave-powered device that removes up to 94% of microplastics from water, and it could help clean water globally. Seventeen-year-olds Victoria Ou and Justin Huang from Woodlands, Texas developed a pen-sized ultrasonic device that uses high-frequency sound waves to trap microplastics in water.
According to Engineerine, their invention works by generating acoustic forces that cause microplastic particles to cluster together. These clusters can then be easily filtered out, without chemicals, heat, or high energy input.
In lab tests, the device removed between 84% and 94% of microplastics in a single pass. The teens presented their work at the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, where they won the prestigious Gordon E. Moore Award and a $50,000 prize for their innovation.
What makes their approach unique is its simplicity, portability, and scalability. Unlike traditional filtration systems that rely on mechanical sieves or chemical treatments, their soundwave method is gentle and energy-efficient. According to Huang and Ou, the device could be adapted for use in wastewater treatment plants, textile factories, rural water systems, and even laundry machines or fish tanks.
While more testing and refinement are needed before mass deployment, their invention represents a promising leap forward in the fight against microplastic pollution, and it’s a powerful example of how young minds can tackle global challenges with creativity and science.
