ENVIRONMENT
Ambitious Student Inventor Seeks Pa
By Diane C . Walsh Editor , COMMERCE
Deven Chakrabarti has the makings of an extraordinary college entrance essay . What other 17-year-old can say he has a patent pending for a radically different process to desalinate seawater ?
The young inventor said he began puzzling over the need to convert salt water while enjoying his favorite hobby – fishing . He has spent many summers on the water , casting his lines with his dad . The experience left him pondering over one of the most pervasive global issues – the need for water . “ What do you mean , there isn ’ t enough when we have all this water around us ,” he recalled thinking .
Deven ’ s goal was to find a more affordable and accessible means of creating drinkable water . He researched the issue and consulted with his
grandfather , Dr . P . M . Chakrabarti , founder of PMC Group in Mount Laurel , a chemicals company dedicated to sustainable growth and social good . ( If there is a science gene , it must run in the family since Deven ’ s dad is also a chemical engineer and president of PMC Group .)
After much study and testing , Deven struck upon a new desalination method that required little initial capital , is inexpensive to operate , and most importantly , uses much less energy than conventional methods . He also said it is ecologically safe , easy to operate and can be used in many regions of the world , without generating much waste .
Deven ’ s invention could make drinkable water more available in coastal and
Deven Chakrabarti at Delawaere Valley Science Fairs
Devan Chakrabarti teaches vulnerable youth how to fish as a volunteer at Camp Fowler in Pennsylvania d associate director of Valley Youth House .
12 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com