Hawaii Teen Invents Coconut-Based Filter to Capture Ocean Pollutants

In a report published by Hawaii News Now, an 18-year-old student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has invented a biodegradable physical filter made from coconut leaves to capture microplastics and sunscreen from ocean waters.

Vera Wang designed and engineered the floating filter while completing research prior to graduating from high school earlier this year, according to Hawaii News Now. Her work investigates sustainable ways to address marine pollution using locally accessible materials found abundantly across the islands.

“I designed and engineered a physical filter that you float on the water, and it basically filters out the plastic and sunscreen from the ocean surface,” Wang told Hawaii News Now.

Wang gathered coconuts from an Oahu wetland where she volunteered and taught herself how to weave the leaves into a usable shape. Her design was inspired by the traditional Hawaiian papale niu, or coconut leaf hat.

“I’ve always been interested in sustainability, so I wanted to see if there were any locally accessible natural biodegradable materials that I could use. Looking around Hawaii, coconut trees are just everywhere,” Wang told Hawaii News Now. Fungi present within the coconut husks can also assist in breaking down the captured microplastics and sunscreen.

The inventor made her discovery while working at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Amend Lab. “My mind just exploded, you know, next steps ideas. I was very excited about it for sure,” Wang told Hawaii News Now.

Wang’s interest in science took root in the seventh grade at Niu Valley when a science teacher named Mrs. Brown encouraged her to submit a science fair project to the school fair. Since then, she has presented her research at science fairs and competitions in Hawaii and on the mainland, earning first-place finishes, awards, and scholarships.

Now in her first year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wang is weighing her options between microbiology research and biological engineering. “Just the whole discovery and innovation aspect is really fascinating to me,” she told Hawaii News Now.

Reflecting on her journey through Hawaii’s public school system, Wang offered advice to younger students. “I encourage all students, especially those from public schools to not give up,” Wang told Hawaii News Now. “If I gave up, I would not be here where I am today.”

Wang and her mentor from the Amend Lab are currently working on publishing the manuscript of her research project.