High School Student’s AI Liquid-Magnet Robot Wins Global Water Prize!

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A 17-year-old Canadian high school student has turned a fascination with magnetic liquid into an award winning solution for marine plastic pollution. Moroti Adegboyega, a Grade 12 student from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, invented Ecoferroquatics – an autonomous aquatic robot that uses artificial intelligence, robotics, and a specialized magnetic fluid to identify and remove plastic waste from waterways while working to leave aquatic life undisturbed. His project earned top honors at the 2026 Stockholm Junior Water Prize, highlighting how student-driven scientific inquiry can tackle major environmental threats!

How Ecoferroquatics Works

Moroti Adegboyega, 2026 Stockholm Junior Water Prize Winner

Conventional plastic cleanup methods such as trawlers, filters, or heavy nets can accidentally trap marine life or require intense manual labor. Ecoferroquatics was designed to overcome these challenges through selective automaion. Formally titled A Novel Autonomous Plastic Cleanup Platform Integrating AI, Robotics and a Biocompatibility-Oriented Magnetic Suspension, the system operates through a two-step process. First, an onboard camera powered by artificial intelligence scans the water, detects floating plastic, and estimates its coordinates. Once the robot approaches the target, it applies a custom ferrofluid – a liquid containing magnetite nanoparticles, oleic acid, and vegetable oil – which coats the plastic and makes it responsive to magnetic pulls. Integrated magnets then retrieve the coated plastic from the water. To minimize harm to marine environments, Adegboyega designed the robot to use gentle paddling mechanisms instead of traditional fast-spinning propellers. During testing, the platform proved particularly effective at capturing tiny microplastic particles that typically pass right through standard sieves and filters.

From Science Project to International Recognition

Adegboyega’s inspiration struck while reading about laboratory research that used magnetic liquids to extract microplastics. Intrigued by the underlying chemistry, he wanted to bring the concept out of static lab dishes and into an active, mobile system. He taught himself computer vision, robotics, and materials science to build early prototypes.

“I thought I could make a solution that was more active,” Adegboyega stated when reflecting on the origin of his design. “I did some research on robotics and automatic rovers and decided that was what I was going to build.”

After overcoming multiple technical hurdles – including six flotation trials before achieving a stable floating design – Adegboyega represented Canada against student finalists from more than 40 countries. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden presented him with the Stockholm Junior Water Prize at Stockholm City Hall.

“I was absolutely shocked,” Adegboyega admitted after winning the prestigious honor. The invention earned praise from international water experts. Hayati Yarkadas, President and Executive Vice- President of Water Infrastructure at global water technology company Xylem, commended the finalists: “I am always inspired by the talent and determination of today’s young water leaders. When I look at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize finalists, I see a generation stepping forward, using science, imagination, and courage to help solve some of the world’s greatest water challenges.”

A Balanced Perspective: Challenges Ahead

Works from Adegboyega’s project board

While Ecoferroquatics offers a promising concept, the technology remains in its early prototype stages. Most testing has occurred in controlled pool environments, and scaling the robot for open ocean conditions presents complex engineering hurdles. Adegboyega has noted that further research is needed to fully evaluate the long-term biological effects of ferrofluid mixtures on aquatic organisms. Additionally, the robot’s optical AI system currently faces challenges identifying target debris under murky water conditions or rapidly changing outdoor lighting.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

Despite these ongoing development requirements, Ecoferroquatics demonstrates the power of curiosity and perseverance in STEM education. By combining self-taught coding, chemistry, and environmental consciousness, a 17-year-old high schooler created a functional prototype addressing microplastic pollution. Adegboyega’s journey serves as a powerful message to students everywhere: significant environmental innovations can begin in a classroom or home workshop with a simple question and the willingness to keep experimenting.