At the age of 11, a young American Scientist invents testers for lead in water

An 11-year-old girl was crowned in the United States 'America's top young scientist'. She invented a new tool to detect lead levels in water.

The Gitanjali Rao method is apparently simpler and more effective than the existing ones.

The best young American scientist has developed it as part of a scientific program for boys from the fifth to the eighth grade.

Gitanjali lives in Lone Tree - near Denver, Colorado - and inventing her sensor, She did not think only of the United States. "Imagine drinking water contaminated with dangerous substances every day. My lead detection device is easy to use, accurate, portable and cheap. "

Inspiration from Flint

The girl, however, had the idea following an environmental disaster that occurred in the US. In Flint, Michigan, poisoned water has caused serious health problems for the inhabitants.

"Lead is harmful especially for children of my age," explains Gitanjali herself, "and can cause the growth problems and brain damage.

A connected sensor

The device invented by the 11-year-old works with carbon nanotubes and is connected to an application on smartphones.

It was developed with the help of a mentor, and scientists and technicians of the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist External Challenge Link.

We will now try to put it on the market.