Thai Teenager Joins Elon Musk’s $100 Million Competition For Cleaner Air

Thai teen enters $100 million competition


On 8th February 2021, Elon Musk announced a $100 million competition where teams invent carbon removal technology – the winner is selected based on the effectiveness of their carbon negative inventions. 

Two days later, 15-year-old Anthony Phiyachon from Gainesville International School in Chiangrai announced that he wants to improve the earth’s air quality and join the competition.  


Tech that purifies air


The young Padawan expressed great admiration for Elon Musk and his technology in his proposal – Anthony was urged to bring the best out of Thailand and come up with his own tech.

So, he pledged to invent something that creates a positive impact on the environment. Anthony proposes to invent technology that converts air pollution to green energy, as posted on Kapook. The idea came to him after enduring a series of air pollution crisis in Chiang Rai, where he foresaw a long-term environmental crisis.

Anthony Phiyachon
Image credit: Kapook

His technology aims to capture PM 2.5 particles and methane gasses in the air, which will then be converted into Hydrogen and Oxygen using the following steps: 


Water being added to lubricate the machine
Image credit: Anthony Phiyachon

Ignition to provide a high-pressure buildup of hydrogen gas inside the reactor
Image credit: Anthony Phiyachon


It’ll produce hydrogen flames with low radiant heat and no smoke
Image credit: Anthony Phiyachon

Thai netizens are cheering for the Gen-Zer and looking forward to his innovations.

Screenshot: อายุน้อยร้อยล้าน

Translation: You can try your tech on our Thai busses. You’ll be hired as a consultant.

Screenshot: อายุน้อยร้อยล้าน

Translation: So young, I’m still a rolling rock. What an awesome 9th grader!


Gen-z are the new scientists


The newer generation is maturing and innovating solutions at an unprecedented rate, signalling a brighter future for all of us.  

We hope to see more Gen-Z innovators like Anthony. There’s already drone food delivery, so who knows what the future holds?

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Featured images adapted from: Anthony Phiyachon

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