Two students won first place at Missouri S&T’s Micro Grand Challenge on March 9.  

This year, the event challenged students to rethink carbon dioxide capture and sequestration technologies, which are methods used to catch carbon dioxide emissions before they enter the atmosphere. 

Abigail Richner, a senior in engineering management with an emphasis in aerospace engineering from Warrensburg, Missouri, presented her winning project named “The Green Screen,” focused on using aftermarket algae window biofilms to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

Harshit Agarwal, a senior in physics from St. Peters, Missouri, presented his winning project named “Regenerative ICCCC,” which focused on using a regenerative system that integrates photocatalyst, a set up that refreshes itself while using light to speed up reactions; and bacteria for cO2 capture and conversion.  

“It was so great to see a wide variety of students from physicists to civil engineers using their unique perspectives to creatively address this grand challenge,” Dr. Shelley Minteer, professor of chemistry and director of the Kummer Institute Center for Resource Sustainability says. 

The Micro Grand Challenge is modeled after the National Academy of Engineering’s international grand challenges event and provides students the opportunity to use creativity and research to solve challenges. 

“We would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Minteer for hosting, the judges and to the many individuals who provided mentoring during the competition,” says Shannon Young, Kummer Student Programs manager. 

About Missouri University of Science and Technology     

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.