Benjamin Davis

What they built

Benjamin Davis invented a compact desktop plastic recycling system that converts 3D printer waste — including discarded PET bottle material and printing purge material — into reusable filament. His machine combines pultrusion and extrusion technologies into a single integrated process, making it 45% more efficient and approximately 90% less expensive than standard industrial recycling systems. After more than 50 iterations of components, he built a user-friendly device designed for small-scale creators, classrooms, and hobbyists who generate 3D printing waste with no easy way to recycle it. The invention won him the $75,000 Regeneron Young Scientist Award at the 2025 Regeneron ISEF — the world's largest high school science competition — making him one of only two students worldwide to receive this prize.

Verified track record

• Society for Science official press release (Regeneron ISEF 2025 Grand Awards); Norfolk/Wrentham News profile: Bishop Feehan High School news: https://www.bishopfeehan.com/apps/news/article/2073633; Society for Science Facebook video (May 20, 2025): https://www.facebook.com/societyforscience/videos/benjamin-davis-regeneron-isef-2025/1320872225642288/ (source)