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AN IRISH TEENAGER has won an international science award for his project which removed microplastics from water.
Fionn Ferreira, from Ballydehob in west Cork, has been named the overall winner of the 2019 Google Science Fair, a prestigious annual global science competition open to students aged 13 to 18.
The 18-year-old was awarded a $50,000 (about €45,000) bursary at an awards ceremony at the Google international headquarters in Mountain View, California, yesterday.
Ferreira was one of 24 finalists chosen from a shortlist of 100 regional entries that competed for the top prize.
His project examined a new method for extracting microplastics (plastic particles less than 5mm in diameter) from water.
Microplastics or microbeads are mostly used in soaps, shower gels and facial scrubs to exfoliate skin, although they also can be found in toothpaste and abrasive cleaners.
In waterways, fish and other wildlife mistake the tiny scraps of plastic for food and, from there, the beads are integrated into the food chain.
At present, no screening or filtering for microplastics takes place in any European wastewater treatment centres.
Ireland plans to introduce legislation that will outlaw the sale, manufacture, import and export of products containing microplastics.
Ferreira used ferrofluids, a combination of oil and magnetite powder, and magnets to extract microplastics from water.
In 1,000 tests, Ferreira was able to remove over 87% of microplastics from water samples.
“The method used was most effective on fibres obtained from a washing machine and least effective on polypropylene plastics,” he said.
Ferreira stated that his proposal could “form the basis for an effective way of extracting microplastic from water”, adding: “The next step is to scale this up to an industrial scale.”
Ferrier sat his Leaving Certificate exams last month at Schull Community College and is due to attend university in the Netherlands.
The teenager works as a curator at the Schull Planetarium, has won 12 science fair awards, speaks three languages fluently, plays the trumpet at orchestra level, and had a minor planet named after him by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
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I’m not saying their isn’t a threat but a fearful population is easier to control…
Exactly. I mean fu@k off with this bs already. When are we ever going to get back to a pre 9/11 state of half normality. I cant even remember what the world was like without the periodic ‘terror threat’ to keep the masses in fear. Highly adrenalised people who lack sleep in anticipation for a danger that has claimed less lives than
– Allergic reactions to peanuts
- Accident causing deer
- Lightning strikes
There. It’s THERE!
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety
So the next time the u.s decides on a terrorist drone strike in Pakistan or Afghanistan it will of course inform the relevant authorities so they can in turn warn the innocent children and women to run for their lives, f*ck no !!!!
@ Daniel
Speaking of 9/11 when are going to have a proper investigation into what really happened that day
Nobody believes the official story or at least has the cop on to say there’s something fishy about it billions of people have there doubts but its brushed away in the hopes that time forgets …
Exactly, well said. And the funny thing is that Al-Qaeda never even existed. Bizarre really that so many people still don’t know that.
Even the former CIA Officer in charge of creating the whole image and propaganda of Al-Qaeda, who is named Micheal Scheuer unleashed the truth about it all in interviews and well written books of his.
He is worth looking up everyone.
It’s funny how the alert only runs til the end of the month. Do the terrorists take September off?
Lol yes very humorous alright. Another stupid act by the Americans, I don’t count this as news but as a comedy really.
It is probably just a diversion from the Hero – Snowden, and possibly something else that they are doing in their own greedy interests at the moment.
Yes they take the whole of September off to take flying lessons.
There having the O’ Al Qaeda Gathering in September.
And if they didn’t issue a warning they would be castigated. They can never please people. Snowden a hero my hole
Is that why Dublin bus is out Sunday too?
Either the James Connolly Cumman of al Quieda are planning something big or else the Bus drivers are going on the lash after the Dublin-Cork match!
The us government is one thing. The people ive met whilst in america have been very decent sorts. Lets keep the distinction clear folks :)
@ rotund jocularity, very true Americans are very nice except for their ‘progressives’ .
I wonder which Al Quaida the threat relates to. The Al Quaida the US is arming and funding in Syria, the handful of Al Quaida in hiding on the afghan/pakistani border, or one of the Al Quaida franchises created by the US blowing the crap out of the muslim world.
That’s like saying it’s the Spanish governments fault that ETA exist, nonsense
Probably the same “Al Queda” that is responsible for 9/11 “attack”, if you know what I mean..
“That’s like saying it’s the Spanish governments fault that ETA exist, nonsense”
Hope you understand the irony of your comment steve. If the US hadn’t funded, armed and trained Bin Laden and the Mudjahadeen, Al Quaida may well have never existed.
I think you should look up irony, anyway, you are saying that it is the American fault that Al Quaida exist which is false.
al Qaeda is the result of Islamic extremism , nothing more ,nothing less.
Finally some sense. This place seems to be a forum for insanity lately.
Looks like Steve and Morticia need to do some research
@Morticia
“al Qaeda is the result of Islamic extremism , nothing more ,nothing less.”
Not only is that untrue, it serves as a very convenient get out clause for those who don’t understand the complex geopolitical factors and decades of history which cause international terrorism.
“al Qaeda is the result of Islamic extremism , nothing more ,nothing less.”
I know, there was America, minding its own business, on the way to the orphanage with toys for the children, when BAM, they were attacked by some beardy bloke who DEFINITELY wasn’t armed, trained and funded by the CIA.
al Qaeda is the result of Islamic extremism , nothing more ,nothing less. An extremism which was brewing long before any of the Stans got all hurt and upset. All it needed was a name.
It had a name, the mudjahadeen, and the US and UK armed, trained and funded them to fight the Russians in Afghanistan.
If everybody just left each other alone then life would be grand, there are many reasons the US are involved around the world some of them noble some of them profitable. Al Queda would exist without the US, they would simply find another enemy because that’s what they need.
But the mudgies have been warbling about war on infidels since the early 1800′s….
al Qaeda is the result of Islamic extremism , nothing more ,nothing less. An extremism which was brewing long before any of the Stans got all hurt and upset. All it needed was a name. Some folks think that islamic extremism is recent. Some folks have never been to the Near and Middle East and tend to talk out of their hats.
If the US armed the Mudjahadeen then the Mudjahadeen must have existed before they were armed by the US. Therefore they were not created by the US
Have a read back there steve, never said they were.
So we are agreed then Al Qaeda didn’t come come from The Mudjahadeen.
I see you didn’t have a read back.
take your time.
@ Steve Hardy, That’s right, Al Qaeda came from a long simmering hatred of the West and this hatred even predates the foundation of Israel and goes back centuries.
Steve the Muj were armed by the US, Bin Laden was part of the Muj, the US dropped the Muj like a rock when the Soviets pulled out, Bin Laden got pissed off, got all his buddies from the Muj to join him and so AQ was born.
If you look at any of the geo-political anti US hot-spots around the world you will find that the US poked their nose in there at one stage and their meddling came back to kick them in the ass. Just watch what is going to happen in Syria when the conflict finally ends and there is a whole load of European and US born fighters returning home, all trained by the CIA/MI6 and with nothing to do.
“If the US hadn’t funded, armed and trained Bin Laden and the Mudjahadeen, Al Quaida may well have never existed.” Are you saying there is or there isn’t a direct link between the Mudjahadeen and Al Qaeda
Lol. Don’t you know that Al-Qaeda is all made up by the Americans? The CIA operative in charge of creating their image through propaganda etc. even admitted to it and released a lot of information about it all.
His name is Micheal Scheuer.
Look him up.
Its called perpetual war and a load of slimey bastards get filthy rich from it.
AlQaida franchise concept originated in the philosophical mindset of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and this concept was propagated by Al Zhakari (?) Bin Ladens strategic brains and right hand man.
No Peter, the CIAs chief middle east agent, Ayman Al Zawahiri, not sure who the CIAs strategic brains is
Totally incorrect Mort.
Looks like Steve and Morticia are right. But the blinkered anti USA hysteria by a few posters on here is kinda funny. ;)
Id say mighty America will save the day and foil this terror plot and it’ll then emerge it was all possible because of the intel the nsa picked up from their Internet spying programme!
Ah you have to use the buzz words! PRISM, ECHELON, I reckon CIA have a guy who’s sole job is coming up with shit cool names for invasions of privacy
FEAR! EVERYBODY LIVE IN FEAR!
America will protect us! They got our backs and if you have a problem with them, you are the problem. It’s all about the security, for your own good….
USA! USA! USA!
Watch this and tell me this isn’t just fear mongering on a frightening scale. Softening up their citizens for a police state if I ever saw it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy–y1HfODA
“The alert means that US citizens are encouraged to inform the Consular Section of their nearest US Embassy”
How? THEY’RE ALL CLOSED!!!
@ colin, is it Sunday where you are already?
I just cant wait for the weekend!!!!! ;)
Damien Lewis must be Sh1tting himself
This is a true Story.
9-11 was directed by a bearded guy in a cave in Afghanistan, 19 hard drinking coke snorting devout muslims enjoy lap dances before embarking on their mission to meet Allah, using nothing more than craft knives they overpower cabin crew, passengers and pilots on 4 planes and hangover or not they manage to give the worlds most sophisticated air defense system the slip..unfazed by leaving their how to fly a passenger plane guide in the car park at the airport, they master the controls in no time, and score direct hts on two towers somehow causing three to collapse completely. These masterminds even managed to overpower the laws of physics or two, and the world watches in awe as the steel framed buildings fall symmetrically through their own mass at freefall speed for the first time in history. Despite all their cunning they stupidly gave their identity away by using explosion and fire proof passports which survived the fireballs un-damaged and fall to the ground only to be discovered by the incredible crime fighting sleuths at the FBI.
Meanwhile down in Washington, Hani Hanjour having previously flunked two man Cessna flying school gets carried away with all the success of the day and suddenly finds incredible abilities behind the controls of a Boeing. Instead of flying straight down into the large roof area of the Pentagon, he decides to show off a little….executing an incredible 270 degree downward spiral he levels off to the ground to the low facade of the worlds most heavily defended building without a single attempt to stop him, and without ruining the pristine lawn, all at a speed just to fast for modern recording equipment to capture on video, despite 85 separate pieces of camera footage the NSA admits they will keep but not release in the interests of national security. Later in a field in Shanksville Pennsylvania a plane crashes leaving no trace of engine, fuelage or occupants except for the standard issue Muslim terrorists bandana.
Further South inFlorida the brave commander in chief president bush continues to read MY PET GOAT to a class of children shrugging off the possibility that his life could be in imminent danger.
In New York WTC lease holder Larry Silverstein uses his own incredible foresight to insure the buildings against terror attacks only 6 weeks previous to the event while in Washington Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld are shaking the heads in disbelief at their own luck in getting the new Pearl Harbour event that catalyses they so desired to pursue their agenda of middle east domination, and also, not to be too disturbed at the reports of their own deaths, 7 of the 19 suicide hijackers turn up alive and kicking in media reports.
This all happened after Bush and Cheney hatched a plan in 1992 releasing official government documents depicting those exacts events are required to get Patriot style acts and legislation that they soon brought in.
The transport secretary told the 9/11 commission that the vice president gave the order for NORAD to stand down and not to fire at any planes, even after the WTC was hit, this testimony is censored from the original commision report as is the evidence from forensic scientists who testified they found traces of explosives from the debris of the twin towers, most of the debri was then taken away by the military immediately which in itself is an illegal disturbance of a crime scene. The official report was drawn up leaving out so much critical evidence and 6 out of the 10 authors of it say they dont even agree with the final draft, even calling it a whitewash, as do 1500 professional architects….and if you dont believe this, YOU’RE WEIRD, i’ll get my tinfoil hat now.
Please do. And maybe do a bit more research than Youtube videos while you’re at it.
It’s on the Internet, it must be true.
Afganistan has just put out a warning to its Citizens that American troops could be bombing them again this weekend-
I have to laugh at the US government when it says that terrorists will never beat the US. They don’t have to, the US government is doing AQ’s job for them every day! Does this “worldwide” alert extend to Schull or Doolin as well and should I be worried about being anywhere near an American? FFS when the PIRA were bombing the daylights out of the UK did you see the Brits shitting themselves?
A quick look at the actual amount of US citizens killed in terrorist attack at home or abroad over the last 10 years would show that the average American has more of a chance of dying from a heart attack from being overweight than from getting killed in a terrorist attack.
Pure crap. Issued to justify the spying on all of us. If there is a terrorist atrocity it will probably be the CIA that is behind it. The USA gov is in the same boat as Stalin and the German lad from the last century.
Ikea are probably opening a few stores in the US which is causing mayhem among the locals.
More meatballs!! Allright!!! Yumm…
Shit happens you know. But if America didnt inform there citizens and something happened it would be worse.
No worries about the POTUS then as he and his family are going to Martha’s Vineyard for another of their extravagant holidays next week. The mobile phone service in the West of Ireland may be shut down by Enda just in case.
But the American secret service know where everyone is! After all they are monitoring everything,internet,phones,etc,so they MUST know who is behind this threat.
is this the same “terrorist” organisation the yanks tried to get yanky weapons back from in Benghazi?? closing embassies to save their staff makes a change from leaving the ambassador and other staff to the slaughter in their embassy in Benghazi. anyone interested in what happened should o ahead and google it. america are creating terrorists all over the world!!
No they didnt try and get them back they left em there conveniently for the terrorists to pick up and head on their next mission…Syria, the ambassador was unfortunately for him a pawn in ther US war games
Collateral Damage or murder whatever ye want to call it
Oh well. …. lets see is anything happens here then…… last time it was the cartoon movie that sparked agitation.
I didn’t know you could use the word ‘Unspecified’ as many times in as many sentences.
U Irish if you think you are immune to these terrorist, you will get your turn.”infidels”
Here, don’t make me fatwa your ass, imperialist aggressor
Derka derka allaaaahhh
We had british terrorist’s and their bombs in Dublin and Monaghan in 1974 before the yanks even heard tell of terrorists-
http://rt.com/usa/cia-benghazi-agents-attack-968/
Dozens of CIA operatives were reportedly near the scene where US Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed last September 11, and the agency has gone to great lengths to keep the operatives’ actions a secret.
In an exclusive report, CNN said there were as many as 35 Americans on the ground in Benghazi at the time of the attack, 21 of which were working in a building that is believed to be operated by the Central Intelligence Agency. What the operatives were doing there that day remains a mystery, and it appears that the agency is making an extensive effort to try to stop any more information leaks.
“You have no idea the amount of pressure being brought to bear on anyone with knowledge of this operation,” an unnamed source told CNN.
wake up before it’s too late for us all, each and everyone of us! you’ve received warning after warning yet most do nothing :(
The Obama team at the White House refused permission for a rescue effort. This has lead to the resignation of several top ranking Military men and the scaking of those who spoke out. The buck stops with Obama and Hilary Clinton.
There was pigs flying over Lough Derg today ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
This world is utterly insane
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