Who is Julian Brown? Inventor behind viral Plastoline project
He hit the headlines in July 2025 after suddenly disappearing from social media, raising concerns among his followers and climate activism communities.
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Julian Brown is best known as the inventor of Plastoline
Credit: Instagram/naturejab_
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Julian seen with his mom Nia in one of his social media videos
Credit: Instagram/naturejab_
Julian Brown is renowned for his work in the energy field, but he has been inactive online since 9 July 2025, after posting a worrying video where he claimed he was in danger.
"Something is happening, keep me in your prayers please. SCREEN RECORD THIS. I don't know," Julian captioned the clip, which showed him inside a vehicle.
"I'm certainly under attack. I can't go into so much detail," he added.
Days before his last video, Julian shared another alarming message claiming that a "secret helicopter" had found him in the middle of "nowhere".
Despite his inactivity on social media and troubling final post, Julian's mother Nia has now debunked the speculation that her son is missing.
On July 28, 2025, Nia told the
Atlanta police also confirmed that the agency is not currently looking for a missing person matching Julian's information.
"I can confirm that the Atlanta Police Department is not currently investigating any missing persons by that name," the police department told The U.S. Sun.
Most read in The US Sun
Who is Julian Brown?
Julian Brown is a 21-year-old scientist from Atlanta with 1.8 million Instagram followers.
He is best known for inventing Plastoline — a device that he claims converts plastic waste into usable fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
The invention uses a process called microwave pyrolysis, a technology that heats plastic in the absence of oxygen to break it down chemically into fuel.
Julian began developing this technology during high school, teaching himself the necessary science without a formal engineering education.
He has a background in welding, which helped him construct prototypes for Plastoline, using salvaged and homemade parts powered by solar energy.
Julian gained significant public attention and amassed millions of followers by sharing instructional videos and updates on his project.
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One of Julian's inventions, which transforms plastic waste into fuel
Credit: YouTube/NatureJab
His mission was to address the global plastic problem by creating the device that transforms plastic waste into fuel.
in November 2024, Julian told
"To date, there is a very niche application of microwave pyrolysis technology at any industrial and continuous operation scales - that is my goal and mission.
"I am most proud of taking the leap of faith into a innovation that is very dangerous, and doing all of the unseen hard work and labor necessary to further this technology."
Brown added, "I want everyone to know that we are all capable of solving a world problem, no matter the scale.
"We are all seeds full of potential and amazing fears, but our potential must be watered and fertilized into reality with strong faith, hard work and experience."
Read more on the Irish Sun
He founded a startup called NatureJab to further develop and scale Plastoline, also launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise $1 million to fund commercial-scale production.
On July 29, 2025, Julian's 'Support Solar-Powered Plastic to Fuel Invention' appeal for donations has so far raised $30,897.
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