The Teenager Who Invented a Device to Detect Ocean Microplastics

Anna Du’s remotely operated machine, born from a science fair project, is now being deployed worldwide — a story of youthful innovation tackling a global crisis.

By the Jester Desk · July 20, 2026

At 17, Anna Du spent her weekends hunched over a workbench in her Massachusetts basement, building a machine that could see what the naked eye cannot: microscopic plastic particles suspended in seawater. By the time she was a high school senior, her remotely operated device was not just a science fair entry — it was a prototype for a global solution.^[9]

The Sea Glass That Started It All

Du’s inspiration came at age 11, when she realized the colorful sea glass she collected for jewelry was actually plastic particles, worn smooth by the ocean but never degrading. “I found out a lot of those pieces were plastic,” she recalled in an interview with local news. That discovery sparked a determination to detect — and ultimately help remove — microplastics from the water. She spent more than 500 hours over several years building and refining prototypes, learning to program microcontrollers and design waterproof housings.^[9]

“I hope to inspire people in my generation to use science and technology to help solve world issues.” — Anna Du, 17

A Remote-Controlled Eye Underwater

Du’s device is a remotely operated vehicle — think a miniature submarine with cameras and sensors — that can navigate underwater while collecting data on microplastic concentrations.^[9]

The invention won top prizes at regional science fairs, but Du’s ambitions extended beyond the competition. She co-founded the Deep Plastics Initiative Campaign, an educational outreach program that teaches students and communities about microplastic pollution.^[9]

From Basement to Field Deployment

Turning a science fair prototype into a field-ready tool was not easy. Each failure sent her back to the workbench. She also had to navigate the logistics of testing in real marine environments, which required permits and help from local research labs. But her persistence paid off.^[9]

The global reach of microplastics — found everywhere from ocean trenches to human bloodstreams — underscores the urgency of tools like Du’s. According to a 2024 Business Insider article, microplastics have been detected in the deepest parts of the ocean, at the top of Mount Everest, and even in human lungs, blood, and breastmilk.^[10][7]

What’s Next: Scaling the Solution

“The first step is knowing where the plastic is,” she said. “Then we can figure out how to get it out.”^[9]

Her story has already inspired other young inventors. At the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, Texas teenagers Victoria Ou and Justin Huang won $50,000 for a device that uses ultrasonic sound waves to remove microplastics from water. While their tech is also in early stages, it signals a growing wave of youth-driven innovation in the fight against plastic pollution.^[10]

For Du, the mission is personal. “I want to show that you don’t need to be a professional scientist to make a difference,” she told local news. “You just need an idea and the willingness to work for it.”^[9]

Reported with AI assistance using internet sources.