Two teenagers from Texas have invented a pen-sized device that uses sound waves to purify water, removing up to 90% of microplastics in a single pass.

 

 

 

Two teenagers from Texas have invented a pen-sized device that uses sound waves to purify water, removing up to 90% of microplastics in a single pass. Their innovation earned them $50,000 and international recognition.

 

The device works using acoustic separation, where specific sound frequencies create pressure nodes that force microplastic particles to cluster together. Once aggregated, the particles can be easily filtered out.

 

Microplastics are among the most dangerous pollutants because they are nearly invisible, pass through conventional filters, and accumulate in human organs and ecosystems. Current removal methods are expensive and inefficient.

 

This invention stands out because it is portable, low-energy, and scalable, making it suitable for rural areas, disaster zones, and developing regions with limited infrastructure.

Scientists say innovations like this show how young minds are not just imagining the future—but actively cleaning it up with practical science.