Senior Rachel Huth Advances in LI Science & Engineering Fair

Huntington senior Rachel Huth has advanced to the second round of the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair. She is also among the students selected as finalists in this year’s US President Scholars Award program.

“Rachel is an outstanding high school science researcher who is defined by an insatiable curiosity and a rigorous commitment to the scientific method,” said Huntington science research teacher Lori Kenny. “She does not merely follow lab protocols; she identifies complex, real-world problems—such as atmospheric carbon levels and she engineers novel solutions. Her work is characterized by ‘mastery,’ moving beyond basic data collection to advanced statistical analysis and professional-grade experimental writing. Whether she is utilizing 3D-printing to create low-energy carbon capture systems or analyzing the statistical significance of energy production, her technical proficiency is matched only by her ability to communicate these findings to experts at prestigious competitions like LISEF or Regeneron ISEF.”

Beyond Ms. Huth’s technical skills in the lab, she serves as a leader and a ‘carrier’ of innovation within her school community. “She navigates the challenges of long-term projects with resilience, balancing high-level research with the collaborative spirit required to work effectively in a team,” Mrs. Kenny. “By coordinating with university professors and mastering complex laboratory equipment, she demonstrates a level of professional maturity that sets her apart. Her dedication doesn't just earn her awards; it contributes meaningful data to the scientific community, proving that age is no barrier to significant discovery.”

The Long Island Science and Engineering Fair is a premier annual competition that showcases the most advanced STEM research from high school students across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Operating as a regional affiliate of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, LISEF serves as a critical stepping stone for young researchers aiming for global recognition.

The competition is structured into two rigorous rounds: a virtual first round where all participants present their work to professional judges, followed by an in-person second round for the top 25 percent of qualifiers. For the 2025/26 season, the high-stakes Round 2 is scheduled for March 12, 2026, at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Students compete in over 20 categories—ranging from Biomedical Engineering to Environmental Sciences—vying for grand awards, special honors, and the opportunity to join the "Official Party" representing Long Island at the International ISEF finals in Phoenix, Arizona.

Here’s an abstract of Ms. Huth’s research project:

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations are approximately 50% greater than levels in the pre-industrial era.  Carbon dioxide is the most prominent greenhouse gas, and is driving global warming through the greenhouse effect.  Rising temperatures have had drastic consequences all over the world. Existing carbon capture devices have faced many barriers of cost, scalability, and energy demand, limiting their role in meaningful climate mitigation.

Here, I present a novel, low-energy carbon capture and utilization (CCU) system which integrates chemistry, physics, and engineering design to convert CO2 into ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3), a valuable nitrogen fertilizer.  This CCU system employs a rotating wheel structure, 3D printed from a low-cost plastic resistant to caustic materials such as NaOH or NH4OH, which maximizes air exposure and allows for optimal absorption of CO2, as well as facilitating 3 linked exothermic reactions: 1) CO2 capture via 5M NaOH, 2) conversion to sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and 3) reaction with ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) to produce NH4HCO3 and regenerate NaOH for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

This cyclic process minimizes input and associated difficulties and costs, offering a scalable and economically feasible carbon capture process.  Preliminary engineering analyses suggest these CCU units can operate at low cost, provide domestic fertilizer production, and generate revenue through fertilizer sales and carbon credits.

By combining carbon capture with agricultural profitability, this work demonstrates an extremely beneficial approach that addresses the ever-growing problem of global warming while remaining economically viable.