ATLANTA, GA – Julian Brown, the 21-year-old inventor known for his "Plastoline" technology that converts plastic waste into fuel, has been confirmed safe by his mother, Nia Brown, amidst widespread social media speculation about his disappearance. Rumors of Brown being missing circulated for three weeks following an ominous last social media post where he indicated he feared for his life.
The social media buzz intensified after a tweet from "BAY AREA STATE OF MIND" stated, "Young man who invented a machine that turns plastic into gasoline hasn’t been seen online for 3 weeks, and his last post sounded like he feared for his life." However, Nia Brown clarified to the Daily Mail that her son is not missing but is intentionally maintaining a low profile for his safety.
Brown, an Atlanta-based inventor, gained significant online attention for his "Plastoline" invention, which utilizes microwave pyrolysis to transform old plastics into usable fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. He is the founder of NatureJab and a 776 Foundation Climate Fellow, dedicated to addressing plastic waste and creating alternative fuel sources. His GoFundMe campaign to fund further development of his invention saw a significant increase in donations following the viral posts.
While Brown's innovation has been lauded by many as a potential solution for plastic pollution and a step towards decentralized fuel production, the process of converting plastic to fuel through pyrolysis is not new. Experts note that while technically feasible, challenges such as economic viability, scalability, and potential toxicity of byproducts remain. Brown himself has stated his goal is to make a high-value product from waste.
The incident highlights the rapid spread of information on social media and the concerns surrounding the safety of innovators in disruptive fields. Brown's work has drawn interest from figures like Reddit co-creator Alexis Ohanian, who reportedly provided a $100,000 grant. Despite the recent online frenzy, Brown's focus remains on advancing his technology and its environmental impact.