In Brazil, the incidence of skin cancer has risen dramatically in recent years. Additionally, studies have shown that low-income populations are disproportionately affected by the disease, partially due to the high cost of sunscreens.

To address this problem, Bruno Oliveira Buzo set out to develop an inexpensive sunscreen using an extract of a plant believed to hold promise as a potential sun filter: Bixa orellana, also known as the aciote, urucu or “lipstick” tree. This tree, native to tropical regions of the Americas, has long been valued for its production of annatto, a substance used historically for everything from body paint and lipstick to spicing up dishes and treating ailments.

In his research, Oliveira Buzo experimented with a variety of methods to isolate Bixin, the active substance from the plant, and determine its grade of purity. Through another series of laboratory tests, the young scientist was able to demonstrate that Bixin can be as effective as existing chemical and physical sun filters, making it a viable, low-cost alternative to existing options.

Anna Simpson has been “hooked on robotics” since her involvement in a FIRST LEGO* League Challenge – focused on the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity – way back in fifth-grade. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then that Simpson chose robotics for her research.

Specifically, Simpson designed and built an autonomous robot capable of navigating dangerous sites and detecting hazardous chemicals. When the robot is deployed, it moves into risk zones where it locates a spill, sucks in vapor, detects any harmful agents present and communicates an alert. Simpson, who spent two years working on the design and self-taught herself the intricacies of circuitry, says the robot’s program can be adapted to implement a variety of algorithms for search and response. The result: a variety of life-saving applications in industry, security and counterterrorism.

And, yes, Simpson’s design does incorporate LEGO* bricks.

To reclaim soil contaminated by heavy metals, Francesco Marcuzzi, Massimiliano Andreetta and Sabrina Grassi developed a safe and inexpensive approach to removing toxins: introducing vegetation.

Specifically, Marcuzzi, Andreetta and Grassi examined the toxin-absorption abilities of two plants, Thlaspi caerulescens and Nicotiana tabacum, when exposed to the contaminated soils of Torviscosa, Italy, an area known for polluted soils and a high incidence of cancer after years of abuse by the chemical industry. They studied the growth of these plants in varying samples of polluted soil and then analyzed plant materials at the end of each plant’s life cycle. Lab results showed that Thlaspi caerulescens was particularly effective in absorbing toxins from the soil, resulting in its classification as a “hyperaccumulator.” Nicotiana tabacum also absorbed toxins from the soil, but produced more biomass.

Marcuzzi, Andreetta and Grassi believes that genetic alteration of these plants could further enhance their ability to absorb toxins from polluted soils and provide a safe, affordable method of land reclamation.

In an effort to identify potential anti-cancer compounds, Kin Israel Notarte, Karina Louise de la Cruz and Jamie Mananquil examined the effect of marine algae on the mitotic inhibition of sea urchin embryos.

Crude extracts of algae were applied to Tripneustes gratilla sea urchin embryos, and the mitotic inhibitory effect was examined through cell stage. Statistically significant results were obtained within hours. Portieria hornemannii, red algae previously reported to have anti-cancer properties, caused nearly complete mitotic inhibition compared to the control. Laurencia papillosa, Caulerpa racemosa and Gracilaria arcuata showed strong inhibition. Sargassum cristaefolium, Halimeda discoidea, Codium geppiorum and Laurencia thuyoides showed slight or no inhibition.

Because sea urchins are related to humans, sharing more than 7,000 genes of the human DNA sequence, this research may help to identify new treatments for cancer.

Motivated to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, Nathan Monroe investigated the viability of inexpensive, lightweight, “plastic” solar cells that can be used virtually anywhere to create solar energy.

Monroe’s research involved developing a liquid polymer that can be sprayed or painted onto any surface to create a photovoltaic cell. This process is cheaper, but also less efficient than the existing silicon standard. As a result, Monroe experimented with various production techniques, adjusting variables such as polymer thickness and nanofiber length. He found that increases in nanofiber length resulted in statistically significant increases in efficiency.

So far, Monroe has successfully employed his solar technology on the bill of a baseball cap, now capable of recharging an iPod or cell phone. But one day, he envisions his solar cell paint being used to power cars, buildings and maybe even the International Space Station. After all, transporting a can of liquid polymer into space is infinitely less complicated and expensive than the current method of transporting a payload of large, fragile silicon panels into orbit.