The Winners of the 2024 Gizmodo Science Fair

Welcome to the 2024 Gizmodo Science Fair, our annual celebration of research projects that tackled big problems and pushed their fields forward. The winning teams overcame huge challenges through creativity and persistence, and they inspire us to think more ambitiously about the technology and breakthroughs that will be possible in our lifetimes.

Read on to learn about the quest for quiet supersonic flight, a giant roller to clean oil from the ocean, a drug for dog longevity, a spacecraft that sails on light, and much more.

The thylacine RNA project

For recovering RNA from a museum specimen of a thylacine, the extinct marsupial popularly known as the Tasmanian tiger.

OSIRIS-REx curation team

For safeguarding pristine samples of an asteroid delivered to Earth.

Ultrasound for Alzheimer’s

For research into using ultrasound to improve the effectiveness and safety of Alzheimer’s disease drugs.

LightSail 2

For testing the feasibility of using photons from the Sun as a form of propulsion for satellites.

Loyal

For research into drugs that could extend the lifespans of big and small dogs alike.

Materials science research team, the University of Texas at Austin

For developing a faster and more efficient system to clean up oil spills and reuse the collected oil.

NASA’s Quesst team

For building an experimental aircraft that may travel faster than sound without the ear-splitting sonic boom typically associated with supersonic flight.

A Sign in Space

For simulating a message to Earth from intelligent aliens.

SBUDNIC

For demonstrating an innovative and cost-effective approach to satellite design.

The developers of PDK plastic

For creating a plastic that can be infinitely recycled.

Space Solar Power Project

For testing a satellite that proves it’s possible to collect solar energy in space and then send it down to Earth as usable power.

Edited by George Dvorsky and Rose Pastore | Reporters: Ed Cara, George Dvorsky, Passant Rabie, Isaac Schultz, Jody Serrano | Illustrations: Vicky Leta

The Winners of the 2024 Gizmodo Science Fair

The thylacine RNA project

For recovering RNA from a museum specimen of a thylacine, the extinct marsupial popularly known as the Tasmanian tiger.

READ MORE

OSIRIS-REx curation team

For safeguarding pristine samples of an asteroid delivered to Earth.

READ MORE

Ultrasound for Alzheimer’s

For research into using ultrasound to improve the effectiveness and safety of Alzheimer’s disease drugs.

READ MORE

LightSail 2

For testing the feasibility of using photons from the Sun as a form of propulsion for satellites.

READ MORE

Loyal

For research into drugs that could extend the lifespans of big and small dogs alike.

READ MORE

Materials science research team, the University of Texas at Austin

For developing a faster and more efficient system to clean up oil spills and reuse the collected oil.

READ MORE

NASA’s Quesst team

For building an experimental aircraft that may travel faster than sound without the ear-splitting sonic boom typically associated with supersonic flight.

READ MORE

A Sign in Space

For simulating a message to Earth from intelligent aliens.

READ MORE

SBUDNIC

For demonstrating an innovative and cost-effective approach to satellite design.

READ MORE

The developers of PDK plastic

For creating a plastic that can be infinitely recycled.

READ MORE

Space Solar Power Project

For testing a satellite that proves it’s possible to collect solar energy in space and then send it down to Earth as usable power.

READ MORE

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The thylacine RNA project

For recovering RNA from a museum specimen of a thylacine, the extinct marsupial popularly known as the Tasmanian tiger.

OSIRIS-REx curation team

For safeguarding pristine samples of an asteroid delivered to Earth.

Ultrasound for Alzheimer’s

For research into using ultrasound to improve the effectiveness and safety of Alzheimer’s disease drugs.

LightSail 2

For testing the feasibility of using photons from the Sun as a form of propulsion for satellites.

Loyal

For research into drugs that could extend the lifespans of big and small dogs alike.

Materials science research team, the University of Texas at Austin

For developing a faster and more efficient system to clean up oil spills and reuse the collected oil.

NASA’s Quesst team

For building an experimental aircraft that may travel faster than sound without the ear-splitting sonic boom typically associated with supersonic flight.

A Sign in Space

For simulating a message to Earth from intelligent aliens.

SBUDNIC

For demonstrating an innovative and cost-effective approach to satellite design.

The developers of PDK plastic

For creating a plastic that can be infinitely recycled.

Space Solar Power Project

For testing a satellite that proves it’s possible to collect solar energy in space and then send it down to Earth as usable power.

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Gizmodo Science Fair: A Cosmic Experiment to Decode an ‘Alien’ Signal

Gizmodo Science Fair: Treating Alzheimer’s Disease With Ultrasound

Gizmodo Science Fair: The First RNA Recovered From an Extinct Animal

Gizmodo Science Fair: A Longer Life for Big Dogs

Gizmodo Science Fair: A Giant Roller to Clean Up Oil Spills

Gizmodo Science Fair: Bacteria-Created Plastic That Can Be Recycled Forever