Young chilean wins big with carbon dioxide-absorbing exhaust filter

Esteban Castro, a 14-year-old from Chile, won first place at ExpoSciencias with an innovative exhaust filter, showcasing how young minds can fight pollution with science and creativity.

Esteban Castro, a 14-year-old student from the Peñalolén College in Chile, claimed first place in the Environment category at the MILSET ExpoSciencias National Expo Brazil 2025, which took place from May 11 to 15. His project—a carbon dioxide-absorbing exhaust filter made from zeolite—stood out among over 200 scientific works from across South America.

The inspiration for Esteban’s project came when he saw Santiago, Chile, shrouded in smog from the top of a hill. He explained how deeply saddened he was by the situation and how it sparked the thought of finding ways to tackle this problem and help clean up the city.

So, what was his solution? An affordable and efficient air purifier designed to be installed in car exhausts, one of the major contributors to air pollution in large cities.

A future in neurosurgery or biochemistry

The MILSET ExpoSciencias event aims to encourage young people to dive into STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), fostering collaboration and cultural exchange. Esteban’s success shows how scientific curiosity, coupled with an ecological vision, can translate into real-world solutions for a sustainable future.

Besides his passion for the environment, Esteban dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon or biochemist, always with a focus on social improvement. His victory not only earned him a diploma, a medal, and a trophy but also the opportunity to represent Chile at international scientific events.

Esteban’s project is a clear example of how the younger generation can actively contribute to fighting pollution. His invention—simple yet potentially revolutionary—offers a practical solution to a global problem, showing that science and creativity can work together for a cleaner world. Thanks to brilliant minds like his, the future of sustainability looks a little brighter.

Source: Milsetbrasil