Teen geniuses win Earth Prize with PURA purifier

Two teenagers, Tomáš Čermák (18) from the Czech Republic and Anna Podmanická (19) from Slovakia, have won the prestigious Earth Prize 2025. Their invention, PURA, uses light and plasma to remove contaminants and antibiotic-resistant bacteria from water, offering global hope.

Tomáš Čermák and Anna Podmanická's innovation, dubbed PURA, represents a significant breakthrough in water purification technology, addressing two of the most pressing problems of our time: water pollution and the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. The PURA system is the result of an ingenious synergy between two distinct fields of research. Anna Podmanická contributed her expertise in water purification using photocatalysis, a process that uses light to activate a catalyst that breaks down contaminants. Tomáš Čermák contributed his work on the use of corona discharge plasma (AC cold plasma), a technology capable of effectively destroying both chemical contaminants and pathogenic microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

PURA integrates these two technologies into a two-step system. Although photocatalysis and cold plasma treatment have been studied independently for water purification, the combination of both in a single device is what makes PURA a completely novel and promising solution. This dual approach allows for more thorough and efficient decontamination. The problem PURA seeks to solve is of alarming magnitude: the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that antibiotic resistance could cause around 10 million deaths annually by 2050. Much of this crisis is exacerbated by the discharge of wastewater from hospitals, farms, and industries, which contains antibiotics and resistant bacteria, ultimately contaminating drinking water sources.

Tomáš Čermák and Anna Podmanická's path to the creation of PURA is marked by individual dedication and fruitful collaboration. Tomáš, an 18-year-old autism advocate, is also the first high school researcher at the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Anna, 19, is an award-winning young scientist from Slovakia who was selected for a prestigious summer program at Oxford University. These individual paths, rich in achievements and scientific curiosity, converged to give birth to PURA.

Their initial prototypes have already demonstrated the ability to purify small amounts of water, making them ideal for home use, offering families access to safer drinking water. The recognition they received through The Earth Prize, which includes funding of $12,500 for the European winners and up to $100,000 for the global winner, will provide the necessary impetus to take their invention to the next level. With this support, Tomáš and Anna plan to develop a next-generation prototype capable of treating tens of liters of water, bringing PURA closer to a larger-scale impact.

The long-term vision of these young innovators is ambitious: to scale their easily integrated technology for implementation in wastewater treatment plants. This approach would address pollution and antibiotic resistance directly at their source, before contaminants reach aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources. The existence of platforms like The Earth Prize, described as an "idea incubator" that provides mentorship and funding, underscores the vital importance of support systems in turning young people's brilliant ideas into solutions with real impact.

“This is just the beginning of our journey. Being named a Global Winner of The Earth Prize elevates our research to a global platform in the fight against water pollution. More importantly, it fuels our mission to raise awareness about the threat of pharmaceutical and antibiotic contamination in our water.” – Tomáš Čermák and Anna Podmanická.

For Tomáš and Anna, The Earth Prize 2025 award goes beyond recognition of their scientific ingenuity. Their fundamental goal is to use this platform to amplify a crucial message: the urgent need to raise global awareness about the serious threat posed by pharmaceutical water contamination and the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They understand that their invention, PURA, is not only a technological solution, but also a tool for education and driving a change in mentality.

The very nature of The Earth Prize, which seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental innovators, aligns perfectly with these young people's mission. The competition has proven to be an effective springboard for previous projects; for example, the 2023 winner, Team Delavo, was able to patent their filter for recycling laundry wastewater and partner with a national manufacturer thanks to the prize money. This demonstrates the real potential of transforming youthful ideas into tangible, marketable solutions.

Peter McGarry, founder of The Earth Foundation, the organization that organizes the prize, highlighted the significance of Tomáš and Anna's work: "The selection of PURA... is a powerful reminder of what young minds can achieve. With PURA, Tomáš and Anna have combined scientific excellence with a deep sense of responsibility, offering a solution that could transform the health of both people and the planet." These words reinforce the idea that innovation, when combined with a mission of advocacy and awareness, can generate not only technological solutions but also a social movement toward a more sustainable and healthy future. PURA's story is a shining example of the potential of young people to confront global crises with creativity and determination.