Muscat – A young Omani innovator is vying for top honours in Stars of Science, a Qatari edutainment reality TV show where Arab innovators compete to develop tech solutions for their communities.

Sumaiya Said Sulaiman al Siyabiya’s remediation and marine microplastics disposal device can help serve as an invaluable tool to address the issue of marine plastics, which account for at least 85 per cent of the total marine waste, according to the UN Environment Programme report From Pollution to Solution.

Free of chemicals and environmentally friendly, the device is a floating sphere comprising of microbial mats and nanomaterials that dissolve microplastics it comes into contact with converting these into carbon dioxide and water.

The device can easily float among patches of plastic garbage in oceans, trapping and disposing of microplastics.

Describing Sumaiya’s project, organisers of the programme said, ‘Innovative and simple, it could be invaluable in protecting our natural water resources and the wildlife within.’

Sumaiya has a Master’s degree in biology from Sultan Qaboos University. Speaking to Muscat Daily, she said, “The final will be held on October 14. I urge everyone to support me by voting on the programme’s website starsofscience.com, where public vote represents 50 per cent and the jury determine the remaining 50 per cent.”

Voting will continue until October 13, she added.

“My project is called Eco-Sphere. This kind of device has never been applied in the world.”

Juggling a career and family, Sumaiya said challenges are part of life. “I live in the wilayat of Ibra, and have a family and three children. I needed a lot of perseverance and patience for this project.”

She added that her device can be used in aquaculture projects as various studies have shown that fish food contain large amounts of microplastics which threaten their lives.

Sumaiya has won many accolades, chief among these is the Excellence Youth Award in Science from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in 2021. She also won the first place in the Sheikha Fadia al Saad al Sabah Scientific Competition held among Arab nations.

About future plans, she said, “Oman and the world need this project because it will help get rid of plastics.”

She advised young Omani researchers to work hard and not be satisfied with conducting research only “but strive to apply it to make it a reality”.

Thanking those who have supported her, Sumaiya said she’s hopeful of winning the final of Stars of Science.