Arika Kundu, 13, turns peanut shell waste into pesticide remover, competes for $25,000 prize

Arika Kundu, 13, a student at Minnetonka Middle School East in Minnesota, created LIGNEX, a method using peanut shells to remove pesticide residues from fresh produce.

LIGNEX uses biosorption, converting discarded peanut shells into a material that traps pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables.

Arika is one of 10 finalists in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, competing for the $25,000 grand prize and the title 'America's Top Young Scientist'.

She will work with a 3M scientist over the summer before the final round in October.

The project repurposes agricultural waste (peanut shells) to address pesticide residue on produce.