News•Mar 20, 2026
This High School Student Invented a Filter That Eliminates 96 Percent of Microplastics From Drinking Water
Virginia high‑school senior Mia Heller invented a compact water filter that uses magnetic ferrofluid to capture microplastics. Laboratory tests showed the device eliminates 95.5% of microplastic particles while reclaiming 87% of the ferrofluid for reuse. The membrane‑free system, about the size of a flour bag, earned her a $500 award at the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Heller hopes to commercialize the technology for home use, though large‑scale production faces cost and waste‑management hurdles.
By Smithsonian Magazine – Innovation