- Julian Brown publicly demonstrated his plastic-derived 110-octane fuel by powering a muscle car at a live event in Atlanta
- The young inventor built his solar-powered microwave pyrolysis reactor without corporate backing, operating under a nonprofit
- His diesel alternative underwent independent lab testing, with results that left scientists stunned by its quality
Source: Facebook
A resurfaced video of a 23-year-old American inventor has set the internet ablaze, showing the moment Julian Brown demonstrated his homemade plastic-to-fuel technology by starting a modified muscle car on a substance he calls "Plastolene" — a 110-octane petrol alternative he converts from plastic waste.
The footage, filmed at an outdoor event in Atlanta, captures Brown first switching the car on to confirm the tank was empty — it did not start. He then poured in a canister of his plastic-derived fuel, pressed the ignition, and the car roared to life in front of a crowd of stunned onlookers filming on their phones.
Brown, who runs his projects under the social media handle @naturejab_, is clear that he did not invent pyrolysis — the chemical process of converting plastic into fuel has existed for decades. His contribution, however, is the development of what he describes as the world's first solar-powered continuous microwave pyrolysis reactor. The design dramatically reduces the cost of the process and relies entirely on renewable energy, with his latest trailer-mounted Mark V prototype running off 24 solar panels supplied by SanTan Solar.
What has captured global attention is not just the science, but the circumstances. Brown built his earlier reactors in his own backyard, without funding from major corporations or government support. Operating through his registered nonprofit, Jab Innovations, he has deliberately chosen not to patent his designs, instead making them openly available to the public.
His plastic-derived diesel was independently tested in May, with laboratory results reportedly confirming it produced better emissions than conventional diesel. Testers described the fuel as "surprisingly well distilled" and "surprisingly clean… for plastic."
Brown has since taken his demonstration international, completing a tour of Italian cities including Rome, Milan, Venice and Bologna. He also appeared as a featured speaker at Invest Fest 2026 in Atlanta, where he showcased his fuel powering a Dodge Scat Pack and a Rolls-Royce Dawn.
"Let's get it in the world. Let's get it implemented how it needs to be because that's the whole point of why I started this," Brown said of his ambitions.
The project is not without its critics. Sceptics on forums such as Reddit's r/chemistry have raised questions about large-scale scientific validation, EPA certification, and the energy efficiency of the process over time. Supporters, however, are far more vocal.
Watch the Atlanta demonstration that sparked the viral conversation:
Reactions online on the Facebook page have ranged from admiration to concern for his safety.
@Mike Bulelani:
"The government might want to silence him."
@Kagiso More cheered:
"Say bye bye to electric cars... Engines cars are making a huge comeback, nice!! V6, V8, V10, V12."
@Meanwhile, Mahlet Abebe urged:
"Run bro, they will find you."
@Uroko Benjamin asked:
"Is he still alive or did he disappear under mysterious circumstances?"
@Alucias Tumelo Pelo added:
"Glad his still alive, when he vanished I was so afraid for him. big up to him."
More on South Africa’s fuel prices
- Briefly News recently reported that South Africa’s 95 unleaded petrol price has surged 43% in about a year, hitting R30.25 per litre at inland forecourts.
- Fikile Mbalula hailed the temporary fuel levy cuts as relief for the people, but South Africans pushed back sharply online.
- Political parties are split on Godongwana’s budget and fuel levy cuts ahead of the November elections.
Source: Briefly News