Anirudh Rao

What they built

Starting at age 4–5 after his friend's house was destroyed by a tornado in Nashville, Anirudh Rao conceived 'Revere' — a network of autonomous drones that detect infrasound (low-frequency sound waves emitted before and during tornadoes, invisible to radar) to extend tornado warning times from ~15 minutes to ~45 minutes. As tornadoes increasingly move into hillier terrain where radar fails, Revere's drone-based infrasound sensors can fly outward from base stations to intercept tornado signatures early, then push real-time alerts to authorities and mobile phones. He also invented a moisture-powered nano-generator and a wound management device, all self-initiated outside school in response to real climate and health problems. A finalist in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2025, a Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes runner-up (from 600 applicants), and has educated over 5,000 students globally through STEM-climate workshops.

Verified track record

• Fast Company — "This 12-year-old is designing a new way to detect tornados" (full profile with expert validation from Oklahoma State Univ. professor Brian Elbing) (source)
• KDVR/FOX31 — "Colorado 12-year-old nationally awarded for invention" (Gloria Barron Prize runner-up) (source)
• Colorado Community Media — "11-year-old Lone Tree resident invents early tornado warning system" (Paradigm World Challenge grand prize) (source)
• 3M Young Scientist Lab 2025 Finalist profile (source)
• New Indian Express — "The boy who harnessed the wind" (Dec 2025) (source)
• Heal The Planet — Young Planet Leader profile with personal contact email listed (source)
• Personal website (email publicly listed) (source)
• Jennifer Hudson Show + NBC Nightly News Kids Edition appearances (referenced in Heal The Planet profile)