Finalists, Mentors and Judges

The 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge Finalists and State Merit Winners have been announced! Use the tabs below to check out their big ideas and explore all finalists, winners, and 3M Scientist mentors!

Today’s Innovators

Get to know the diverse personalities of students, 3M Mentors, and others who have contributed their unique talents to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Use the tabs below to explore exciting ideas and inspirations from previous years’ challenges.

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WinnersFinalistsState Merit WinnersHonorable MentionImproving LivesMentorsJudges
2024 Finalist

Aakash Manaswi

Carbon Dioxide to Save the Bees!

Meet Aakash. Aakash developed a natural treatment to save honeybee hives from being destroyed by the Varroa Mite.

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2024 Finalist

Ankan Das

A Shape Memory Alloy Based Intelligent Walking Robot For Inspection and Surveillance

Meet Ankan. Ankan created a mobile robot whose overall motion is generated by simple motions without having to use motors or gears.

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2024 Finalist

Hanna Suzuki

Audio Augmentation for Celestial Objects: Sonifying Constellations and Mapping their Sound Logos onto the Night Sky

Meet Hanna. Hanna created an AR experience by using a constellation sonifer to scan AR markers that would identify the data through sound.

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2024 Finalist

Minula Weerasekera

Creating an Organic Redox Battery

Meet Minula. Minula created a solution for storing energy for longer through organic compounds and a sulfur-based terhiophene.

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2024 Finalist

Prince Nallamothula

Enhancing Efficiency in Quantum Dot Solar Cells through Quantum Computational Simulations

Meet Prince. Prince created an innovative way to use quantum dots in solar cells and testing the cells through quantum chemistry.

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2024 Finalist

Rithvik Suren

TektonForecast AI Deep & Ensemble Learning Powered Earthquake Forecasting

Meet Rithvik. Rithvik is creating an alternate method to predict earthquakes using AI technology and identify sequences that will better forecast events in the future.

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2024 Finalist

Ronita Shukla

Spirulina as a novel means to sequestrate atmospheric carbon dioxide

Meet Ronita. Ronita developed an alternative approach to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide by increasing the rate of photosynthesis with spirulina (blue green algae).

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2024 Finalist

Sirish Subash

Pestiscand - An AI-based Handheld Pesticide Detector

Meet Sirish. Sirish created a method to detect pesticide residue on consumable produce using an AI based handheld detector.

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2024 Finalist

Steven Goodman

Synchronous Tropic Growth: A Novel Algorithm for Accurately Modeling Future Plant Growth from Photo- and Gravi-tropic Forces

Meet Steven. Steven created an algorithm that can achieve a more accurate prediction of future plant growth and advance agricultural production.

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2024 Finalist

William Tan

AI Smart Artificial Reef (AISAR)

Meet William. William created an AI Smart Artificial Reef that encourages coral, seashells, kelp and other marine life to grow in a safe and controlled environment.

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2023 Finalist

Adhip Maitra

Finding Effective Ways to Remove Carbonates from Ocean Water to Lower Acidity

Meet Adhip. Adhip developed a computer program that can detect cases of Ptosis, a condition in which the upper eyelid droops abnormally low.

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2023 Finalist

Anish Kosaraju

A Novel Machine Learning Approach to Preventing Account Takeovers for Enhanced Cybersecurity

Meet Anish. Anish built a new method to improve cybersecurity measures by combating cyber account takeovers that does not require Multi Factor Authentication.

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2023 Finalist

Anisha Dhoot

Using Kelp Seaweed to Improve Food Security and Fight Climate Change: Building Soil Parametric Database and Exploring AI/ML Application to Improve Productivity and Reduce Carbon Footprint

Meet Anisha. Anisha’s project focuses on utilizing kelp seaweed to improve soil quality and crop selection.

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2023 Finalist

Annie Katz

Automated Ultrasound Hamstring Lesion Detection & Diagnosis

Meet Annie. Annie created an affordable in-home ultrasound device and detection programming that can identify hamstring lesions.

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2023 Winner

Heman Bekele

How a Bar of Soap Can Help Cure Cancer Worldwide - Melanoma Treating Soap

Meet Heman. Heman developed Melanoma Treating Soap (MTS), a compound-based bar of soap designed to treat skin cancer.

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2023 Finalist

Ishaan Iyer

Tactile Electronic Braille Display Device 2.0

Meet Ishaan. Ishaan created a cost-effective Braille device that encodes the English alphabet into Braille language and converts it into a tactile Braille cell.

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2023 Finalist

Sarah Wang

The Spring Epilepsy Detection Glove

Meet Sarah. Sarah developed The Spring Epilepsy Detection Glove, a glove that can detect tonic-clonic and myoclonic epileptic seizures with common hand movements.

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2023 Finalist

Sean Jiang

Sonic Mapping: Using a Depth Camera and Audio Cues to Assist the Blind in Navigation

Meet Sean. Sean’s innovation uses a depth camera and auditory device to assist blind individuals in navigation.

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2023 Finalist

Shripriya Kalbhavi

A Novel Method of Active Medication Delivery through Hydrogel-Forming Microneedle Arrays Utilizing the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction

Meet Shripriya. She developed EasyBZ, a cost-effective microneedle patch that allows for self-automated drug delivery without pills or needles.

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2023 Finalist

Shruti Sivaraman

DR-Check: A New Method for Detecting Diabetic Retinopathy

Meet Shruti. Shruti created a low-cost device and app that can detect and diagnose diabetic retinopathy (DR) by taking retinal images without the use of dilation drops.

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2022 Finalist

Amritha Praveen

ASD Screener - Early Risk Assessment of Autism Spectrum disorder using Machine Learning

Autism is one of the most common developmental disabilities that impact social and communication skills. While there is no cure, intensive early intervention can make a big difference in the quality of life for many children

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2022 Finalist

Asvini Thivakaran

Piezoelectric Power Generation from Automotive Tires

Global warming, climate change, and air pollution are some of the most prevalent global issues of today. Asnavi developed the Piezoelectric Power Generation from Automotive Tires

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2022 Finalist

Daniel Thomas

A Novel Dosing Pump to Prevent Clogs and Organic Overgrowth In AC Condensate Lines

Daniel developed a Novel Dosing Pump to Prevent Clogs and Organic Overgrowth In AC Condensate Lines

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2022 Finalist

Harini Venkatesh

The Comptometrist: An Efficient Way to Determine Myopic Power

Harini developed The Comptometrist, a prototype designed to cut down the time needed to determine myopic power in a patient’s eyes.

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