An 18-year-old student from Virginia has designed a novel water filtration device capable of removing microplastics using ferrofluid, a reusable magnetic oil. Mia Heller, a student at Kettle Run High School, presented her prototype at the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, where she received a $500 award from the Patent and Trademark Office Society for her innovative approach.
Heller was inspired to create the system after learning about local water contamination issues and observing the high maintenance costs of traditional home filtration units. Existing methods often rely on membranes that require frequent replacement, prompting her to seek a membrane-free solution. Her invention utilizes ferrofluid to bind with microplastic particles in flowing water, acting as a magnet for pollutants.
The current prototype, roughly the size of a bag of flour, consists of three modules designed to function as a closed-loop system. Contaminated water enters the first unit, while the ferrofluid is stored in the second. In the third module, a magnetic field extracts the microplastics, and the ferrofluid is recycled for reuse. According to Heller’s testing, the device successfully removed over 95% of microplastics and recycled more than 87% of the ferrofluid.
To verify the device's accuracy, Heller constructed a custom turbidity sensor to measure the concentration of suspended solids. Her results indicate that the system outperforms some traditional treatment plants regarding particle removal, offering a potentially affordable and low-waste option for residential use.
Experts like Matthew J. Campen, a toxicologist at the University of New Mexico, have praised the concept but noted that future development must address the safe disposal of captured contaminants and the scalability of the technology. Heller aims to further refine the device for potential market release as an under-the-sink home filtration system.
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