A talented ninth grader from Snellville, Georgia, has made headlines by winning the prestigious 3M Young Scientist Challenge after creating an innovative handheld device aimed at detecting pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables. Sirish Subash’s invention, an AI-based sensor named PestiSCAND, earned him the grand prize of $25,000 in cash, along with the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
Sirish’s journey into invention was sparked by a simple yet profound question influenced by his mother’s insistence that he wash fruits before consuming them. This curious young mind began to wonder about the effectiveness of washing produce in removing harmful substances. His research revealed a concerning statistic: around 70% of all produce items carry pesticide residues that may be linked to severe health issues, including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, he discovered that washing alone often fails to eliminate all traces of these harmful chemicals.
“If we could detect them, we could avoid consuming them, and reduce the risk of those health issues,” Sirish explained, emphasizing the motivation behind his invention.
The PestiSCAND device utilizes the principle of spectrophotometry, which involves measuring the light reflected off the surface of fruits and vegetables. Throughout his research, Sirish conducted tests on over 12,000 samples, including apples, spinach, strawberries, and tomatoes. The science behind his device relies on the fact that different materials will reflect and absorb varying wavelengths of light. By identifying the specific wavelengths associated with pesticide residues, PestiSCAND can effectively determine their presence.
After scanning the produce, the device employs an AI machine learning model to analyze the collected lightwaves for pesticide detection. The prototype demonstrated impressive performance, achieving a detection accuracy rate exceeding 85%, which fulfilled the project’s goals for both speed and effectiveness.
Sirish has ambitious plans for the future of his invention. He aims to refine the prototype further, with a target retail price of just $20 per unit. His goal is to bring the device to market by the time he embarks on his college journey.
As one of the nine finalists in this year’s competition, Sirish, who is currently attending the Gwinnett School of Math, Science, and Technology, devoted the last four months collaborating closely with one of the 3M scientists. These mentors provided invaluable one-on-one guidance to help him enhance his prototype and prepare for the final challenge.
During the concluding events at 3M’s global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, Sirish’s hard work culminated in his victory. His achievement was met with admiration from 3M’s chief public affairs officer, Torie Clarke, who remarked, “I am beyond impressed and inspired by this year’s Young Scientist Challenge finalists who have demonstrated an incredible ability to develop creative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”
With a passion for physics and engineering, Sirish has set his sights on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as his dream school. He plans to allocate his winnings towards his college tuition, demonstrating his foresight and commitment to his education.
Sirish Subash’s story is not just one of triumph but also a testament to the power of curiosity and innovation. His work could potentially revolutionize the way consumers approach food safety, providing a much-needed solution to a widespread problem. The journey of this young scientist serves as an inspiration to others, illustrating how one question can lead to significant advancements in technology and public health.