Big Breakthroughs on Minuscule Materials
California Student Takes U.S. Water Prize for Nanomaterial Research

Joyce Chai is making a big impact in the water community by looking at something that is very small—in fact, something no bigger than a billionth of a meter. Chai was named the 2008 winner of the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), the most prestigious youth award for water-related science, for her work on nanomaterials.

These minute materials are becoming increasingly common in a range of manufactured goods, as diverse as deodorant and wound dressings. In fact, these days, nanomaterials can be found in more than 1,000 products. Although they offer countless benefits and scientific advances, little is known about their possible environmental effects, raising many questions. Are nanomaterials harmful, and if so, how can we measure the level of toxicity?

Chai just might have some answers. She was selected as the winner at the national SJWP competition in Orlando, Fla., from 52 students representing 45 states and Puerto Rico. Her research specifically looked at silver nanoparticles, which are used in more than 25% of the nanoconsumer market and have become a point of critical concern as a potentially hazardous antimicrobial substance.

Chai’s groundbreaking investigation succeeded in developing a technique to quantify the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles to the world's water sources and the environment. Using this test, she found that silver nanoparticles induced significantly high toxic effects, including overwhelming cell death and cell inactivity. What’s more, when water containing these nanoparticles was run through a filter system, the toxicity decreased, but did not disappear. This ongoing toxic effect and the relatively high corresponding concentrations, even after filtration, may prove to be harmful to the environment.

“I was very impressed by the quality of the research projects presented by these young investigators,” said Dr. Mohamed Dahab, past president of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and a member of the competition judging panel. “The winning project developed a rather sophisticated methodology for determining the toxicity of nano-sized particles in the environment. These particles are used in many consumer products, and their discharge in domestic wastewater constitutes a potential threat to human health and the environment. Once again, this competition proves that America's future in water science and technology is in good hands.” 

Next, Chai will take her project overseas to Stockholm, Sweden, where she will compete against other young scientists from more than 30 other countries around the globe for the top international award. The weeklong international competition is as much a cultural experience as it is an educational one, providing an opportunity for young researchers to connect with each other and culminating in an awards presentation by the Princess of Sweden.

As part of the prize, Chai received $3,000 and her school received $1,000 to enhance water education in the classroom. To help perpetuate water-related science education, the student’s science teacher, Peter Starodub, will travel with her to the competition in Sweden where he will learn about water challenges faced around the globe. He will bring this knowledge back to his next class of students in the hopes that they will tackle other water issues—and maybe even come across another scientific breakthrough.