At an age when many teenagers are preoccupied with exams and social media, 17-year-old Thibault de Percin from Le Pecq in the Yvelines region of France is making a name for himself in the world of science. From his early years, Thibault had a flair for creativity and innovation. His mother, Caroline, fondly recalls how he would spend hours crafting machines and model vehicles out of paper and cardboard, turning everyday materials into imaginative creations.
His curiosity and inventive spirit were further fueled by his avid reading of Science & Vie Junior, a magazine that opened doors to new scientific ideas and competitions. It was through this publication that Thibault learned about the “Innovez!” contest, a platform designed to encourage young minds to develop and share their inventions.
Selected as one of the twelve finalists, Thibault is set to present his groundbreaking device, the Moltimètre, at the prestigious Musée des Arts et Métiers on March 3rd. This event not only offers him the opportunity to showcase his invention to a wider audience but also puts him in the running for a €1,200 prize—a substantial sum for a teenager and a significant milestone in his budding career.
The Moltimètre: Addressing an Academic Challenge
So, what exactly is the Moltimètre? In simple terms, it’s a specialized scale that measures moles—the unit used to quantify the amount of substance in chemistry. For those who might recall their high school chemistry lessons, calculating moles involves converting the mass of a sample in grams to the number of moles using the substance’s molar mass. While the calculation isn’t particularly complex, it can become tedious and time-consuming when performed repeatedly.
The inspiration struck Thibault during a chemistry class. Faced with the repetitive task of converting sample masses to moles, he found himself wondering if there was an easier way. He approached his teacher to inquire about any existing device that could streamline this process. Learning that no such tool was available, Thibault decided to create one himself—thus, the Moltimètre was born.
While the concept might not seem revolutionary at first glance, the Moltimètre has the potential to simplify daily tasks for chemists, students, and educators alike. By automating a basic yet essential calculation, it saves time and reduces the potential for human error. Considering that this conversion is performed multiple times a day in labs worldwide, the Moltimètre could become an invaluable tool in scientific settings.
Imagine walking into a chemistry lab and seeing the Moltimètre as a standard piece of equipment—a testament to how a simple idea can make a significant impact. Thanks to Thibault’s ingenuity, what started as a classroom inconvenience might soon streamline workflows in laboratories around the globe.
Thibault’s story is a shining example of how curiosity and determination can lead to innovation. As he prepares to present his invention, there’s little doubt that this young inventor is on a path to a promising future. Who knows? Perhaps the Moltimètre is just the first of many contributions he’ll make to the scientific community.