Ahmed Abdelsalam was on a walk when inspiration struck that would ultimately turn him from an ordinary Cambridge sixth grader into a state-recognized scientist. He was thinking about the energy it takes to propel his body throughout a walk, and remembered from science class that energy cannot be created or destroyed (the First Law of Thermodynamics). He asked himself, “If this energy already exists around us, how do we let it go to waste?”
The question sparked seven months of research and development that culminated in him working to develop a technology that captures mechanical energy from motions like walking, wind and waves. He called his project “VERDA” after the Spanish word “verde,” meaning green, a nod to the model’s sustainable application.
Abdelsalam, a sixth grader at Darby Vassal Upper School, said he began exploring the project out of curiosity, teaching himself computer-aided design software, 3D printing, and how to test his prototypes.
His scientific process involved plenty of trial-and-error. One of his biggest challenges came during the 3D printing process of the prototypes. His device design generates an electrical charge when it moves by using ferrofluid, a fluid containing magnetic particles. That electrical charge can then self-charge the device, making it completely self-powered. The ferrofluids were inserted into the device after it was printed. But the ferrofluid was leaking through micropores in the model.
It took him three months of adjusting the prototype’s dimensions, print speed, and other parameters to eliminate the micropores. Once he resolved that issue, the project was able to move forward.
He made three prototypes, one harnessing energy from the wind, one from water and the third from walking. Abdelsalam then searched for a way to implement his project in a real context. He found 3M’s Young Scientist Challenge and applied for it. Shortly after submitting he learned he was one of 10 finalists in this year’s competition.
“I seriously couldn’t believe it. I actually thought I was dreaming,” he said about the moment he opened the package notifying him that he had been selected.
The Young Scientist Challenge is a partnership between 3M, maker of Post-it Notes, Scotch Tape, and Discovery Education, a K-12 digital learning platform. Now in its 19th year, the challenge pairs each finalist, who are ages 11 to 14, with a 3M scientist as a mentor throughout the summer. Abdelsalam connects regularly with his mentor over several virtual sessions each month.
“It’s going really great. My mentor has given me a lot of great ideas for my project,” Abdelsalam said.
He sees his project as a window into finding sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel use, which is increasingly important as climate change worsens, he said. He would like to develop his prototype into a functional model.
In one scenario, “people would have [VERDA] attached to their T-shirts while running,” Abdelsalam said, and might use it to power a fitness wearable. VERDA is not intended to replace other renewable energy sources, but to show how small amounts of mechanical energy can be harvested in day-to-day activities.
The young scientist has a few more months of mentorship ahead before a final event in October, where he will demonstrate his project in a live interactive competition. Whoever is selected “America’s Top Young Scientist” is awarded $25,000.
Abdelsalam has already received a Mayor’s Ceremonial Proclamation from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, and a citation of recognition from Governor Maura Healey. His mother said he’s received something much more important. “The project transformed the way he approaches learning,” Abdelsalam’s mother said. “As his parent, watching that transformation has been far more meaningful than any award.”
When he’s not refining his project, Abdelsalam said he will fill his summer with soccer, math and swimming at the beach.
The young scientist is already dreaming up plans for the future.
“I want to continue science,” Abdelsalam said. “I’d also love to be an engineer because they create. They see a problem, they don’t walk away, they actually fix it.”
A stronger
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