Luo tested for toxicity. Jingyuan Luo knows the hype about
nanotechnology. She's just skeptical. The senior at Hamilton
High School in Chandler, Ariz., won the 2007 U.S. Stockholm
Junior Water Prize for her research on the aquatic toxicity of
nanoparticles. The contest is the industry's most prestigious
youth award for water science research. Though Luo doesn't
dismiss the strides of nanotechnology–listing sunscreen and
stain-resistant fabrics among the latest nanochemical
products–she thinks it is time to take a closer look at the
environmental effects of nanoparticles. The contest is the
junior version of a more prestigious Stockholm Water Prize. The
junior contest promotes the development of aspiring scientists,
nurturing talented students and helping them focus their
interests. Luo was already interested in nanotechnology but
still had questions. "Nanoparticles are going to be a large part
of our lives," says Luo, who conducted most of her research at
Arizona State University under the supervision of a pr