Manoel José Nunes Netoa 17-year-old Brazilian from Piauí, captured global attention during World Water Week 2024, where he represented Brazil in the international phase of the Stockholm Youth Water Award (SJWP). His project, a Aquatic rover designed to monitor water quality in isolated areas, it has met with extraordinary success, winning the People’s Choice Award with over 400,000 votes.
Developed under the supervision of Professor Eduardo Alves da Silva Carvalho, it responds to the growing need for economic and practical tools to address water contamination problemsin particular related to pollution from mercury in riverine communities and among the Yanomami.
This portable and self-contained device uses advanced sensors to detect key parameters such as pH, turbidity and oxygen levels, providing useful data to prevent health crises and promote environmental sustainability.
Young people can truly create a sustainable future
Manoel, a student at the Colégio São Francisco de Sales Diocesano, passed the national phase of the award, organized in Brazil by the Brazilian Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (ABES) and the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Sweden. His participation in the international awards ceremony, held in the presence of Swedish royal familyhighlighted the talent of even the youngest in the field of scientific innovation.
His efforts were also echoed on social media, where Manoel’s father, Ocimam Bomfim, expressed gratitude and pride for his son’s success, calling him a collective result that represents the whole of Brazil. Furthermore, the governor of Piauí, Rafael Fonteles, publicly celebrated the achievement, underlining the value of the project in positioning Piauí and Brazil on the international scientific scene.
Manoel’s victory is an example of how science and technology can be powerful tools to address social challenges. As well as providing practical solutions to complex problems, the project highlights the potential of young innovators in create a sustainable future. The Aquatic Rover not only represents a breakthrough in water science, but also demonstrates that, with dedication and creativity, it is possible to make a difference on a global level.
