Ms Moxey and her family attended the event in Melbourne on Tuesday, February 6, accompanied by SCAC principal Colin May. 

Ms Moxey was nominated as one of the 26 top young scientific minds for her latest invention developed with Wollongong student Macinley Butson.

Last year, Ms Moxey and Ms Butson were named the NSW Young Scientist of the Year award for their solar-powered water sanitation and sterilisation system. 

“It’s a world first use of solar power induction technology,” Ms Moxey explained. 

“It is able to produce clean drinking water and medical grade sterile water without electricity, which could have enormous benefits for emergency disaster zones.”

Ms Moxey and Ms Butson teamed up to invent the SAS system after meeting at the International Science and Engineering in Arizona in 2016.

“Water is such a critical problem and the extent of that problem is what inspired us both,” Ms Moxey said.

The move toward engineering is a step away from her last scientific investigation into the spread of fireweed.

“My previous work was very agriculture based, so this was a great way for me to branch out and try something new,” Ms Moxey said.  

“Working with Macinley on this project was a really interesting combination of our individual science skills and interests.”

Although the SAS system did not place for an award, Ms Moxey said the event validated the invention and exposed her to the wider scientific community.

“There are so many bright minds, these award ceremonies prove the future is in good hands,” she said. 

“It’s a chance for us to meet like-minded people and network with science professionals.”

The SAS system is fully tested and operational. Ms Moxey now hopes to implement it in a real world environment to determine its effectiveness and get the device on the market.