Using a magnetic solution invented by NASA, the 18-year-old found a way to filter micro-plastic from water

Fionn Ferreira settled in a remote island off West Cork - a coastal area in southern Ireland. On a day of boating, he noticed a sticky black stone close to the coast, a result of a new spill. Looking closely at the stone, Ferreira saw small plastic beads with a diameter of only 5 millimeters, which is still called 'micro plastic' by science .

Because they are so small, the size is only equal to sesame seeds, we have yet to find an effective way to eliminate plastic from the natural environment. But fate led Fionn Ferreira to sail on fateful seas, to discover another feature of oil that science had not expected.

Fionn Ferreira.

Both plastics into oil are non-polar substances, meaning they tend to cling to each other. With a little science available, Ferreira has a hunch that the magnetic solution will also carry this effect.

And that's true. On Monday, Ferreira won first place in the Google Science Fair , bringing in $ 50.00 for testing its success: a magnetic solution capable of absorbing micro-plastic from water.

Plastic microphones come from a variety of sources: small plastic products such as brushes, microfiber towels or large plastic sheets that break down over time. Small micro-plastic particles find their way into the water, and since every river leads to the sea, the plastic finds its way to the great ocean.

The blue plastic plastic is the micro plastic.

Plastic micro-plastic crept into the food chain like that, both food and water are traces of tiny plastic particles. Scientists estimate that Americans eat up to 52,000 micro-plastic particles per year; This problem has only recently been discovered in the past few years, so it is still unclear the harmful effects of micro-plastic when entering human body.

Immediate concerns include bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalate, which may be present in micro-plastic particles, which are linked to cancer and infertility.

'Magnetic solution' invented by NASA can solve the problem of micro-plastic

In 1963, NASA engineer Steve Papell found a way to add magnetism to rocket fuel so astronauts could move it easily in a zero gravity environment. Mr. Papell created ferrofluid , the first type of magnetic solution.

But thanks to Ferreira's observing eyes, today we know more about the effect of magnetic solutions.

'I really love this ferrofluid solution,' Ferreira said. The young man created his own magnetic solution by mixing magnetic powder - which is available in the Earth's crust with vegetable oil. According to Ferreira, excess oil from fast food chains is also a good choice.

Contrary to rocket fuel, Ferreira solutions create no harm to the environment, can be applied to the work of smoking from rivers, streams and the sea. But according to Ferreira, this is still not the most special point: the solution he created can filter plastic from household waste water or industrial plants.

In his test, Ferreira pumped the magnetic solution into a glass of micro-plastic water. Initially, the water turned black due to being mixed with magnetic powder, but the entire impurity was immediately pulled to the bottom when Ferreira put the magnet into the cup. After a short period of time, the water in the cup was clear and most importantly, the amount of micro-plastic floating in it dropped significantly.

Before the experiment, Ferreira was confident in the ability to filter at least 85% of micro-plastic from water samples. Successfully tested with 88% of the micro plastic that was attracted to the magnet.

Ferreira rated polypropylene, the type of plastic used in packaging, was the hardest to beat.

Ferreira tried with a total of 10 types of plastic micro. He judged polypropylene, the type of plastic used in packaging, was the hardest to beat. But the test still shows that the combination of magnetic solution and magnet still gets an average of 80% of polypropylene from the water.

The easiest thing to do is the micro-plastic particles emitted from the washing machine's filter. According to Ferreira, this is an important discovery because washing machines are a major source of micro-plastics.

The young man's future is wide open. Later this year, Ferreira will participate in research at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, a research institute located below sea level.'What better way to set foot on a university below the 6-meter sea level?' , he revealed.

Ferreira will continue to find ways to apply its findings to water treatment plants.'I do not dare to assert that this project is a solution to solve micro-plastic problems. The most effective way is to stop using plastic. '

1. Detecting micro-plastic particles in rainwater, not only lies in the sea
2. We swallow at least 50,000 micro-plastic particles every year