Nanomaterial Project Douses Water Prize Competition

Jingyuan Luo of Chandler, Ariz., was recently named the US winner of the 2007 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), an international competition for water-related research, for her work, “Toxicity and Bioaccumulation of Nanomaterials in Aquatic Species.” Her project explored the toxicity of nanoparticles by testing small carbon particles (fullerenes) and nano-zinc oxide particles on two different aquatic species, green algae and water fleas. Luo’s project was selected from more than 40 state SJWP winners at the national competition, held in Phoenix in June. The Hamilton High School student was awarded $3000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, where she will compete against national winners from more than 30 countries at World Water Week, August 12-17. HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will present the international award, a $5000 scholarship and crystal sculpture, at a royal ceremony. In addition, the winning student’s school will receive a $1000 grant toward enhancing water science education. Luo will present her research to more than 16,000 water-quality professionals a the Water Environment Federation's 80th annual technical exhibition and conference, to be held in October in San Diego, Calif. The Water Environment Federation sponsors the US contest with support from ITT Corp., Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines. Four US finalists, Jordyn Wolfland of Bethesda, Md., Keely Goodgame of Logan, N.M., Yupeng Liu of Charleston, S.C., and Kelydra Welcker of Parkersburg, W.Va., received $1000 awards.