Since fifth grade, youth inventor Snigtha Mohanraj has been dedicated to solving issues related to water contamination. For Snigtha, solving these problems is an outlet for her to explore her passions for inventing, research, the environment and social justice. Through her participation in Invention Convention programs, Snigtha felt empowered not only to explore solutions for water contamination, but also to bring these solutions to life.
In 2021, Snigtha’s passions led her to compete in the Connecticut Invention Convention State Finals and Invention Convention U.S. Nationals with her invention, the Ferro-Sponge, a novel and eco-friendly way of removing microplastics and oil contamination from water. For this invention, she earned a Patent Application Award, presented by Cantor Colburn-Detroit and General Motors. On March 19, 2024, Snigtha received U.S. Patent No. 11,931,717-B2 for the Ferro-Sponge, an accomplishment that she views as a culmination of years of work.
Using Empathy and Passion as a Driving Force
In seventh grade, Snigtha learned about microplastics, extremely small pieces of plastic waste that can cause harm to humans, animals and the environment. Microplastics that get into water sources may not get properly filtered out of drinking water through current filtration systems. These microplastics may contribute to long-term health issues, particularly in communities that lack affordable and accessible clean drinking water. To Snigtha, microplastics didn’t just pose an environmental threat, but signified a social issue. “Microplastics are something that just genuinely affects everyone because there is no effective solution that exists right now,” Snigtha notes.
Since inventing Ferro-Sponge, Snigtha has continued to search for other solutions to water contamination, particularly focusing on methods that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. She credits her passion for helping people and the environment as a significant motivator that has led her to continue pursuing research and solutions over the years. “I think the biggest thing is just you have to be passionate about what you're researching,” she says.
Determination Through Challenges
As a young inventor looking to tackle significant issues, Snigtha often struggled to access the resources necessary to research water contamination and create her invention. “It gets really frustrating when you don't have the resources, the funding or the mentorship,” Snigtha admits.
Despite these challenges, Snigtha persevered and sought out the help she needed. “My biggest piece of advice is that there are a lot of adults that are willing to help you, but they just don't know that you need help,” Snigtha says. While she knew that her school didn’t have access to some of the more complex technologies or research knowledge she was looking for, she hoped that professors at local universities or professionals working in water filtration industries might be eager to support her. For any given project, Snigtha admits that she may send out hundreds of emails to experts. While many don’t respond or aren’t able to assist, even one response can lead to a “life-changing opportunity.”
A Full-Circle Milestone: Earning Her Patent
Snigtha’s openness to support from others was particularly helpful when she applied for her patent for Ferro-Sponge. When Snigtha received her Patent Application Award, she knew this was a noteworthy opportunity, but was worried that the process would be overwhelming for a young inventor. “It was something that felt very scary to me because I knew there was likely going to be a lot of ‘legalese’ in it. I thought that it was going to be kind of inaccessible to a student my age,” Snigtha admits. Thankfully, the attorneys at Cantor Colburn-Detroit supported Snigtha through the process. The patent attorneys were able to use her logbook to translate the description of Ferro-Sponge into more formal language for the patent application. They would periodically send drafts for her to review and provide suggestions on ways to strengthen the patent application. “It was a very simple process for me,” Snigtha laughs.
After years of determination and perseverance, Snigtha earned her patent for Ferro-Sponge in March of 2024. “It's a really crazy feeling to have a patent for my invention. I mean, that's something that I invented and now it's officially recognized as something original that I own,” she beams. “I don't think a lot of young people can even say that they own anything in general, so holding a patent is a really big achievement.”
The accomplishment is particularly meaningful to Snigtha because her patent supports a field she feels so passionately about. “I've been involved in research since seventh grade, just trying to pioneer different water filtration solutions. And I've been specifically interested in the realm of science research since as early as fifth grade. I've gone on with that water quality path since then. [The patent] is like the culmination of a lot of years of work.”
Looking to the Future
Snigtha is eager to continue her journey pursuing her passions for inventing, research, the environment and social justice. “I've just been really interested in it. If you're doing anything for a lot of years, you definitely just have to have a passion for it.”
While she will soon become an Invention Convention alumna, Snigtha knows she will be using the lessons she’s learned through invention education for the rest of her life. “Invention Convention introduced me to a world where everyone – even if they're not involved in the same fields as me – has a passion for learning. They all have a passion for exploring new things and this curiosity that really drives them. And there's so much to learn from other people,” she says with a smile.
Bringing Young Innovators Together
Winning inventors and entrepreneurs are invited to compete at these prestigious, high-profile annual events.
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