Chinese innovator Wen Roujia has made history as the first Chinese winner of the European Patent Office’s (EPO) Young Inventors’ Prize. Alongside her collaborator, Alisha Fredriksson, Wen developed a groundbreaking retrofittable carbon capture system that enables shipowners to reduce emissions without replacing their existing fleets.
“Ships produce about three percent of global CO2 emissions. There are a lot of opportunities for us to stop ships from pumping CO2,” Wen explained ahead of the award ceremony. The maritime environment presents unique challenges, such as harsh weather and salt corrosion. “We have to consider a lot of factors, like the weather and salt corrosion. So our materials need to be anti-corrosion, and we need to develop equipment that can be sea-fastened so that it doesn’t move around as the ship rolls in the waves,” she added.
Wen and Fredriksson co-founded a startup that captures CO2 by binding it into a solid form using calcium-based materials. The captured CO2, transformed into solid limestone pellets, can either be regenerated for further use or repurposed for industrial applications such as construction materials. Their invention provides a stable, scalable solution for reducing emissions at sea.
They were among the top 10 innovators in the 2023 Young Inventors’ Prize competition, selected from over 450 candidates from five continents, according to the EPO.
Among other honorees, Ugandan entrepreneurs Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita were awarded the Community Healers prize for their invention—a biodegradable sachet that helps fruits stay fresh longer by releasing natural compounds that delay ripening and prevent spoilage. Marie Perrin won the World Builders prize for promoting sustainable access to essential resources, such as water, energy, and sustainable infrastructure. Neeka and Leila Mashouf were awarded the Nature Guardian prize for their efforts in protecting ecosystems and biodiversity and addressing climate change, ocean health, and wildlife conservation.
“The 10 finalists are truly inspiring us and the next generations to develop new ideas,” said a jury member. “It’s truly amazing how such different ideas in such different fields make a difference.”
EPO spokesperson Luis Berenguer emphasized the importance of recognizing young innovators. “We want to precisely raise awareness about the importance of these brilliant minds, which are actually looking for solutions for a better, safer, smarter, and, of course, more sustainable world,” he told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Launched by the EPO in 2022, the Young Inventors’ Prize is tailored for individuals aged 30 and under. It highlights the transformative power of youth-driven innovation and honors outstanding young minds working toward a more sustainable future. Starting this year, the prize will be awarded independently every two years.
