Young Innovators: Mia Heller

An 18-year-old student named Mia Heller from Virginia, USA, has developed an effective and economical method of freeing water of microplastics. Mia has devised a prototype that employs a ferrofluid–which is a magnetic liquid–and a magnetic field to remove microplastics from polluted water. The microplastics in the water cling to the ferrofluid, allowing easy separation. According to experts, this system is more economical than filters that use membranes, which require replacement. The system is designed to enable the ferrofluid to be reused, ensuring sustainability. Further studies will need to be carried out to improve the prototype and increase its applications.