Inventor Julian Brown feared missing after 'discovering how to turn plastic into gasoline'... now his mom tells Daily Mail the REAL story
Julian Brown, 21, gained online notoriety thanks to his work in the energy field, particular the 'Plastoline' - a product he claims recycles plastic by turning it into gasoline.
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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Inventor Julian Brown feared missing after 'discovering how to turn plastic into gasoline'... now his mom tells Daily Mail the REAL story
An inventor who vanished after saying he was under attack over a groundbreaking technology is fine but keeping a low profile for his safety, according to his mother. Julian Brown, 21, gained online notoriety thanks to his work in the energy field, particular the 'Plastoline' - a product he claims recycles plastic by turning it into gasoline.
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
Who is missing inventor Julian Brown - and why is his 'disappearance' such a mys
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A 21-year-old inventor who disappeared after posting cryptic videos saying he was under attack is keeping a low profile, according to his mum. Julian Brown has not been seen in public since July 9 after he posted a video claiming that he was under attack. Nia Brown told reporters she could not provide anymore details. But who is Julian Brown and why is there mystery over his whereabouts? We take a look below. Julian is an inventor who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and has more than 1.7million followers on Instagram. He gained prominence for his work in the energy field in particular 'Plastoline'. The inventor has gained lots of public attention and millions of followers after sharing updates on social media about his work. He's only hit the headlines this month after his mysterious disappearance from social media. Julian is the founder of Naturejab, a company that makes natural products, as 'an innovator in the use of microwave pyrolysis of plastic waste.' 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. This is achieved by microwave pyrolysis which heats plastic in the absence of oxygen to break it down chemically into fuel. He first learnt his skills at school during a welding class. Talking about his inspiration behind the creation of the technology, he said: 'It made me so upset that even though we are told that we are recycling, plastic is clearly ending up in the oceans and landfills where it is affecting so many lives, including our own.' He received $100,000 from Reddit co-creator Alexis Ohanian, to realise his dream. Julian has not been heard from since July 9 and posted a chilling video before his disappearance. He wrote in a post: 'Something is happening, keep me in your prayers please. SCREEN RECORD THIS. I don't know. 'I'm certainly under attack… I can't go into so much detail.' Before July 9, he also posted some concerning messages where it appeared like he felt he was being targeted. He wrote on July 3: 'A SECRET Helicopter circled me in the middle of NOWHERE… and it gets even scarier – Pray for me please.' It sparked concern from his followers that he was in danger for his invention. More Trending His mum Nia told Daily Mail that Julian is not missing and that he is safe despite his quiet presence online. She said: 'I can confirm Julian is safe but in the best interest of his security I'm not able to provide any more information.' But when she was pressed for further details, she said she could not provide anymore information. It is still a mystery as to when Julian will make a public appearance again. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Everything we know about New York City gunman Shane Devon Tamura MORE: Costco shoppers devastated as 'ultimate' treat is axed from all food courts MORE: New York gunman 'was targeting NFL headquarters but took the wrong elevator'
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Who is Julian Brown? Inventor behind viral Plastoline project
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JULIAN Brown is an inventor and influencer who rose to prominence for creating a device that he claims converts plastic waste into usable fuels. He hit the headlines in July 2025 after suddenly disappearing from social media, raising concerns among his followers and climate activism communities. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Julian Brown is best known as the inventor of Plastoline Credit: Instagram/naturejab_ 3 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 Daily Mail: 'I can confirm Julian is safe but in the best interest of his security I'm not able to provide any more information.' 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. 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. 3 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 Canvas Rebel: "Turning plastic to fuel with reactors has been done before, however, I have been working to innovate utilizing microwaves to turn plastic into fuel. "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." 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.
