Hailing from Australia, scientist Macinley Butson was announced the winner of the prestigious 2019 Stockholm Junior Water Prize. H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden presented the prize at an exciting award ceremony during World Water Week, held annually in Stockholm, Sweden.
Macinley Butson’s project developed a new, novel and innovative ultraviolet sticker to accurately measure large UV exposures for solar disinfection of water. The SODIS sticker is capable of accurately measuring the solar UV exposure required to sanitize drinking water through two innovative products built together.
As an elated Macinley received her prize from H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at a ceremony on August 27, 2019, in conjunction with World Water Week in Stockholm.
I am still in complete shock. There are no words to describe how I am feeling because I can’t process what has just happened. Amazing people have inspired me so much this year and I never expected this outcome Everyone here is doing so much amazing things and I feel confident the future is in good hands and I will never forget the connections I made here in Stockholm” said Mackinley Butson
In their citation the Jury noted that this year’s winning project “addresses public health through renewable energy and water. The project embodies simplicity and affordability leaving no one behind. Water for society: including all! This invention is practical, ready and globally deployable. The project demonstrates experience and expertise by a dedicated and creative young scientist.”
Torgny Holmgren, Executive Director of Stockholm International Water Institue (SIWI), orgaanisers of the World Water Water event was very impressed by this innovative project.
This inspirational project has immense potential for local and global communities. My hope is that this project will act as a catalyst to inspire others both young and old to innovate for new and sustainable ways to access clean and potable water, Holmgren said.
A Diploma of Excellence was also awarded to Diana Virgovicova, United Kingdom, for her discovery of a New Photocatalyst to Solve Water Pollution. In their citation the Jury stated that Diana Virgovicova has.“solved a long-lasting challenge by opening new windows in using fundamental science combined with the most recent technics within chemistry to formulate a novel molecule with high potential in promising future water treatment.“
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition brings together students from 35 countries. During World Water Week, the world’s leading annual water event, national winners gather in Stockholm to vie for the international title. The prize is sponsored by Xylem, the Raincoat Foundation and Stockholm Vatten & Avfall.
