MIT Technology Review Highlights Nine Young Innovators Shaping the Future of Climate Tech

The editorial team at MIT Technology Review has released its newest edition of innovators under 35, a recurring project highlighting researchers, inventors, and young minds. Following months of work, the final slate features nine individuals from around the world who are focusing on climate and energy challenges. According to the publication, reviewing these awardees as a group offers insight into the current state and future direction of climate technology.

The publication categorized its broader list into four main areas: biotech, climate and energy, computing and robotics, and artificial intelligence. AI heavily influenced the work of innovators across multiple categories. For instance, climate innovator Jae-Won Chung developed software designed to make artificial intelligence more energy-efficient by measuring the energy demands of open-source models, giving the industry better tools to understand its impact.

Artificial intelligence is also being deployed to improve research and tracking capabilities. Jing Wei utilizes machine learning to track pollution by filling in data gaps from disparate sources like satellites and weather stations. Meanwhile, Zhonghua Zheng created AI climate models tailored for cities, addressing a traditional blind spot in legacy forecasting models.

Another major focus area involves securing critical materials needed for emerging green technologies. As society shifts toward new power sources, demand for materials like lithium and copper is projected to surge. Lithium is vital for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and large-scale grid energy storage, raising concerns about potential supply crunches and shortages as early as this decade.

Startups are currently exploring different extraction methods to address these supply concerns. Mohammad Alkhadra, cofounder and CEO of Lithios, is working to extract lithium quickly and efficiently from brine, which is the cheapest source of the metal though traditional extraction takes months and can harm local environments. On the other hand, Benjamin Mowbray serves as CTO for Rock Zero, a startup working to extract lithium from hardrock ore, which is more common but historically more expensive.

Beyond energy and grids, reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions requires addressing less obvious sectors of society. Heavy industry, including steel production, accounts for roughly 7% of global emissions. To tackle this, Laureen Meroueh is developing cleaner and cheaper steel using a new furnace design that simplifies the necessary chemical processes.

Plastics derived from fossil fuels present another challenge. Joseph Nguthiru is addressing this by creating a bioplastic replacement for fossil-derived packaging utilizing an invasive weed. In a similarly creative use of available materials, Diana Orembe is producing fish food for aquaculture using food waste.

Refrigerants, which frequently act as potent greenhouse gases, are also being re-examined. Jinyoung Seo is developing solid refrigerants designed to eliminate leakage concerns. Devices utilizing these solid materials could potentially reduce energy consumption by 20% compared to conventional cooling technology.

MIT Technology Review notes that these diverse projects demonstrate the wide array of challenges facing the climate and energy sector, as well as the unexpected approaches innovators are taking to solve them. The full list of under-35 innovators and their respective projects is available through the publication's 2026 feature.