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National Gallery for America's Young Inventors 2004 Inductees

Hyeyeon Choi, Age 19 - The Effect of Supercritical Fluids on Polymer Thin Films

Hyeyeon's research demonstrated that supercritical fluids can be used as universal solvents for polymers and arbitrary co-solvents for binary polymer systems and can be environmentally safe for industrial purposes such as dry cleaning, coating and adhesion. This finding has important applications in designing coatings, adhesives, and other unique materials inexpensively and environmentally safe.

Joline Fan, Age 16 - Heat Transfer Enhancement of Drag Reducing Surfactants Using Ultrasonic Energy

Joline's research led to a number of complex innovations involving surfactants, heat transfer technology, ultrasonic energy and gas injectors in the improvement of fluid systems, culminating in enhancements in heat transfer of surfactants and drag reduction using microbubbles in pipe flows. This reduced the drag in pipes and hoses so liquids could travel through them more efficiently, which overcomes the drawback of using surfactants for district heating and cooling systems.

Elena Leah Glassman, Age 17 - Brain-Computer Interface for the Muscularly Disabled

Elena's invention uses the Brain-Computer Interface with non-invasive electroencephalograph (EEG) signals as commands for a computer, substituting for a keyboard and/or mouse for disabled computer users.

Vaishali Kiran Grover, Age 15 - Environmentally-Friendly Enzyme Based Antifouling Paint

Vaishali has developed a new marine paint using pineapple and papaya enzymes to replace conventional paint made with biocides of commonly used heavy metals and highly toxic chemicals.

Chandler Macocha, Age 14 - The Wheelchair Backpack Helper

Chandler 's invention allows the user to access personal items that are in a pack hanging off the back of the wheelchair. It can be attached permanently or can be detachable to fit the lifestyle of the user.

Sean Kshitij Mehra, Age 17 and Jeffrey Reitman, Age 17 - Using Nanoparticles to Enhance Polymer Properties for Improved Commercial Applications: Space Lubricants to Nanolithography

This idea consists of two patentable inventions based on the same general scientific concept. One invention created an optimal space lubricant that is resistant to the destabilizing effect of microgravity which will lead to a greater level of safety on future NASA space missions. The second invention involves incorporating gold nanoparticles into the nanolithographic polymer mask, reinforcing the polymer and makes it possible to produce smaller and faster computer chips.