Omani Teens Turn Car Pollution into Industry Gold

Observer

28-07-2025

In a lively classroom at Nuaim bin Masood School in Suhar, two young Omani students were busy turning heads — and changing the game. Omar bin Issa Al Barmani and Tamim bin Yousuf Al Maamari weren't just your average schoolkids; they had a brilliant idea that could shake up how we tackle pollution. Their invention? A device designed to feed on car exhaust fumes and turn them into a solid stuff that can be reused industrially. Yes, you read that right — pollution turned into something useful.
The spark for their project came from something very local: Oman's own abundant rock called peridotite. Tamim, who's fascinated by remote-controlled aircraft, and Omar, a science whiz who scored an impressive 99.6% at school, started exploring how to use Oman's natural resources to solve a global problem — reducing harmful car emissions. Their device attaches to a car's exhaust pipe and contains peridotite, which, when heated and exposed to the gases, chemically reacts to form calcite — a crystalline mineral also known as calcium carbonate.
Now, what's calcite? Think of it as a fancy form of limestone, a mineral you might find in caves or even used to make cement, paper, and paint. In industry, calcite is prized for its versatility: it can be crushed into powder for construction materials, used in paper manufacturing, or in plastics and paints. The idea isn't just to stop pollutants from escaping into the air, but to create something that can be repurposed, turning waste into a resource rather than a problem.
This isn't just a random idea. It builds on research from Sultan Qaboos University, where scientists explored how injecting CO₂ (carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas) into underground rocks like peridotite causes the gas to be absorbed and turn into solid minerals. Omar and Tamim made this complex science practical, applying it to everyday vehicles. Their approach could help curb emissions at a global level — since transport is a major contributor to climate change, with millions of cars emitting pollutants worldwide.
Their dedication paid off after two years of hard work, guided by their teacher, Majid Al Maqbali, and boosted by support from their school and government bodies. They even bagged first place in the environmental category at the international ITEX competition in Malaysia, beating stiff competition from hundreds of projects around the world. They also earned an encouragement award from Saudi Arabia's Tuwaiq Academy — proof that young minds have what it takes to make a difference on the global stage.
Of course, the journey wasn't without hurdles. Juggling school and supervision, sourcing funding, and conducting experiments was no walk in the park. Their teacher, Majid, recalls long days and nights spent at school, balancing responsibilities like a pro. But he believes Omar and Tamim are "national treasures" — future innovators who need nurturing and support.
Right now, the project is in the early stages of being picked up by companies, but no one has yet committed to rolling it out at scale. Still, their invention has huge potential. Imagine a world where car exhausts aren't just pollutants, but sources of useful materials — in construction, manufacturing, and beyond. It's an exciting glimpse into a greener, more resourceful future.
As Majid and the students look ahead, they urge more young talent across Oman to dive into innovation. The tools are out there — online resources, summer programmes, and government support — all waiting to turn bright ideas into reality. Omar and Tamim's story isn't just about fixing cars; it's about proving that with the right mindset, young minds can drive meaningful change.