Meet Ahmed Abdelsalam: 12-Year-Old Inventor Who Turns Everyday Movement Into Clean Electricity

A simple walk could one day help power electronic devices—at least that's the vision of Ahmed Abdelsalam, a 12-year-old student from Cambridge, Massachusetts, whose innovative clean energy project has earned him national recognition.

Ahmed has developed VERDA, a technology designed to capture energy generated through everyday movement and convert it into usable electricity. The invention has secured him a place among the 10 finalists of the prestigious 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, where the winner will receive a $25,000 prize.

Key Highlights

• Ahmed Abdelsalam, 12, has developed VERDA, a movement-powered electricity generation system.
• The project converts kinetic energy from walking and other movements into electrical power.
• Ahmed is among the 10 finalists of the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
• The technology could eventually be used in footwear, wearable devices and public infrastructure.
• Ahmed hopes to become an inventor developing sustainable technologies for the future.

What Is VERDA?

VERDA is an energy harvesting technology that captures kinetic energy—the energy produced through movement—and converts it into electricity.

Instead of allowing energy created by walking or other motions to dissipate, the system stores and redirects it to power low-energy electronic devices.

Ahmed believes the technology could eventually harvest energy from multiple sources, including:

• Walking and footsteps
• Wind movement
• Ocean waves

The goal is to create clean, renewable electricity using energy that would otherwise go unused.

How Could the Technology Be Used?

According to Ahmed, VERDA has the potential to be integrated into various everyday applications, including:

• Smart footwear
• Wearable electronics
• Public walkways
• Transportation hubs
• High-footfall public spaces

In locations where thousands of people move daily, the harvested energy could help power sensors, monitoring systems and other low-energy electronic devices while reducing dependence on conventional electricity sources.

A Passion for Solving Real-World Problems

Ahmed says he entered the 3M Young Scientist Challenge because he enjoys applying science to practical problems.

He hopes his project demonstrates that young students can contribute meaningful solutions to global challenges, particularly in the field of sustainable energy.

According to Ahmed, curiosity and experimentation are key to turning ideas into innovations that benefit both people and the environment.

Inspired by Nobel Laureate Ahmed Zewail

Ahmed credits Nobel Prize-winning scientist Ahmed Zewail as one of his greatest inspirations.

Zewail's pioneering work in femtochemistry, which enabled scientists to observe chemical reactions at extremely fast timescales, motivated Ahmed to pursue scientific innovation and explore new technological possibilities.

Next Stop: National Finals

As one of the 10 finalists, Ahmed will now work closely with a 3M scientist mentor to refine VERDA before presenting it at the national finals of the competition.

The overall winner of the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge will receive a $25,000 scholarship prize, along with national recognition for their scientific achievement.

Why This Matters

Ahmed's invention highlights how young innovators are increasingly contributing to solutions for global sustainability challenges.

As countries seek cleaner and more efficient sources of energy, technologies that harvest power from everyday activities could play an important role in powering smart devices and reducing energy waste.

His journey also demonstrates the growing impact of STEM education in encouraging students to tackle real-world problems through science and engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is Ahmed Abdelsalam?

Ahmed Abdelsalam is a 12-year-old middle school student from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a finalist in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

2. What is VERDA?

VERDA is an energy-harvesting technology that converts movement, such as walking, into usable electrical energy.

3. How does VERDA work?

The system captures kinetic energy produced through movement and converts it into electricity that can power low-energy electronic devices.

4. What are the possible applications of VERDA?

The technology could potentially be used in footwear, wearable electronics, public spaces, smart infrastructure and other environments where regular movement generates kinetic energy.

5. What is the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a national science competition in the United States that encourages middle school students to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems.