Am 11th-grade student from Almaty Dana Kadyrbek represented Kazakhstan at the UNIDO forum in Vienna and entered the top three young innovators in the world, El.kz reports.
The invention and how it works
The core of Dana’s development is a device that extracts drinking water from the air. The technology is based on metal-organic framework (MOF) structures using aluminum fumarate - special chemical compounds that act as a "molecular sponge." They absorb atmospheric moisture even in extremely dry conditions and then release it in a form suitable for drinking.
The key advantage is that the technology does not require proximity to bodies of water or developed infrastructure. This makes it particularly relevant for arid regions, which are becoming increasingly common both in Kazakhstan and globally.
The Road to Vienna: From Competitions to International Forums
Dana worked toward this result for two years. Her journey began with prizes at the Kazakhstan Smart Space technology competition, followed by a second-place finish at the Olympiad USA math competition and a victory at the YISF in Indonesia. Following these successes, she focused specifically on one goal: accessible water.
In July 2025, at the World Innovative Creativity Olympiad (WICO) in Seoul, the project earned her a gold medal. The jury praised not only the scientific rigor of the work but also its practical potential.
In April 2026, at the Cleantech Days Forum 2026 in Vienna organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Dana was recognized as one of the top three young inventors in the world among all participants.
From Lab Project to Government Memorandum
The development transitioned from a competition entry to a real-world project in December 2025. At that time, a memorandum was signed with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the pilot implementation of the units in the country’s arid regions.
"We are very proud that it was our student who proposed a technology capable of solving the drinking water shortage. Such talents are our primary strategic resource," said Saken Aralbayev, Acting Head of the Almaty Education Department.
In January 2026, Dana received the Almaty Akim’s (Mayor's) Award as part of the "Gifted Children – Future of the Nation" program. Prior to that, she became a laureate of the "People’s Favorite" national award.
What’s Next
Following the completion of pilot testing, the technology may be scaled for agricultural needs and remote settlements. A project that once began within the walls of a school has now become a development undergoing real-world testing in a country facing a genuine water scarcity challenge.