CarboWells is the recipient of this year’s Y-Prize competition, cosponsored by the Mack Institute for Innovation Management and Venture Lab in partnership with Penn Engineering and the Penn Center for Innovation. The team proposed a 3D-printed concrete well plug that captures carbon and is designed to reduce failure rates in abandoned oil and gas wells.
There are an estimated 2 million abandoned wells across the United States, including roughly 350,000 in Pennsylvania. These wells can leak methane and other harmful gases, contaminate groundwater, and contribute to climate change. While federal and state governments have committed billions of dollars to plugging wells, traditional concrete plugs can crack and degrade over time, leading to costly repairs and continued leakage.
CarboWells was awarded a $15,000 grand prize after presenting its business plan, and fielding questions from a panel of judges from academia and industry. The team includes Wharton undergraduates Yash Iyer, W’29, and Bhuranyu Mahajan W’29.
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Posted: February 20, 2026