16-Year-Old Developer Wins ISEF Award for Biomimetic Turtle Robot Detecting Microplastics
16-year-old Evan Budz developed an autonomous biomimetic turtle robot equipped with a 3D holographic imaging system and AI to detect microplastics in water with 94% accuracy. This innovation earned him the Gordon E. Moore Award and a $50,000 scholarship at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Traditional microplastic detection relies on slow, expensive laboratory analysis, which is impractical for remote areas. This autonomous robot enables real-time, in-situ monitoring, offering a scalable and cost-effective solution to track global microplastic pollution. The system uses a custom-built 3D holographic camera to capture high-resolution images of particles as small as 10 micrometers, which are then classified by an AI model. The robot's turtle-like design ensures high energy efficiency for long-distance missions and minimizes disturbance to local aquatic ecosystems.
## BACKGROUND
Digital holographic imaging is an advanced technique that captures both the amplitude and phase information of light to reconstruct 3D structures of microscopic objects. Biomimetic underwater robotics mimics the locomotion of aquatic animals, offering superior stability, maneuverability, and energy efficiency compared to traditional propeller-driven designs in complex marine environments.