In a landmark achievement, Wen Roujia, an inventor from the Chinese mainland, became the first from her region to clinch the European Patent Office’s (EPO) prestigious Young Inventors’ Prize. Partnering with Alisha Fredriksson, Wen’s team earned top honors on Wednesday for their groundbreaking carbon capture system designed for existing ships.
Selected from over 450 innovators across five continents, Wen and Fredriksson stood out among the top 10 finalists of the 2025 competition. Their retrofit solution uses calcium-based materials to bind CO2 into solid limestone pellets, offering shipowners a scalable path to cut marine emissions without replacing entire fleets.
"Ships produce about three percent of global CO2 emissions. There are a lot of opportunities for us to stop ships from pumping CO2," Wen said ahead of the ceremony. The team had to engineer anti-corrosion materials and secure, seat-fastened equipment to withstand harsh maritime conditions—from salt spray to rolling waves.
Once captured, CO2 can be regenerated for further use or repurposed in construction and other industries, creating a circular, low-carbon economy at sea. The innovation aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, tackling climate action, industry innovation, and sustainable cities and communities.
The 2025 cohort also included pioneers in areas such as e-waste recycling, AI-driven rare earth recovery, and biodegradable sachets that extend fruit freshness. Jury member Filipa de Sousa Rocha praised all finalists, noting, "These young inventors inspire us and future generations to develop bold ideas that address real-world challenges."
Launched in 2022 for innovators aged 30 and under, the Young Inventors’ Prize highlights the power of youth-led science and technology to drive a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world. From this year onward, the award will be presented biennially, amplifying the impact of the next wave of changemakers.
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Chinese entrant wins EPO Young Inventors' Prize for the first time
cgtn.com
