Sheyna Patel
Named a national finalist in the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge for developing a hydrogel that removes ~93% of PET microplastics from water — per 3M/Young Scientist Lab finalist listing (June 2025) and Spectrum News 13 coverage (Oct 2025).
What they built
Sheyna Patel, a 14-year-old student at Orlando Science Schools, developed a non-toxic hydrogel that captures and breaks down PET microplastics in water with over 93% efficiency. The hydrogel acts like a sponge, using sunlight-activated radicals to degrade microplastics rather than just trapping them. Her invention offers an eco-friendly, reusable solution to one of the most widespread environmental health threats — microplastic contamination in drinking water. She was named a national finalist in the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
View ProjectThe F18 Thesis
Verified track record
- Yahoo News ( mynews13.com local TV news (https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2025/10/25/orlando-science-student-studies-microplastics); Central Florida Lifestyle (https://www.centralfloridalifestyle.com/orlando-local-stories/orlando-student-develops-eco-friendly-solution-to-remove-microplastics-from-water/); 3M / Discovery Education press release (https://news.3m.com/Meet-the-2025-3M-Young-Scientist-Challenge-finalists-who-are-reimagining-whats-possible); GlobalSociety.earth (https://www.globalsociety.earth/post/young-scientist-s-hydrogel-breakthrough-offers-hope-against-microplastic-pollution) (source)