Julian Brown, an Atlanta inventor, is known for Plastoline—a device that turns plastic waste into fuel. In early 2025, his invention went viral for changing the world of recycling and energy. But now he’s missing and his online followers and climate-tech supporters are getting worried.

Brown started in high school with only welding certifications and a desire to change the world. He’s not a university-trained scientist or engineer—but a self-taught inventor who spent 5 years developing his microwave pyrolysis technology. The process uses heat and pressure to break down plastics into fuels like gasoline, diesel and even jet fuel.

“When I was 5 I told my mom I was gonna change the world,” Brown said in a past interview. “It’s always been within me — I just never knew what it was gonna be.”

Brown’s recycled fuel was tested at a Washington lab and the results showed it may burn cleaner than diesel. Even the lab technicians were skeptical: “It appears this diesel burns cleaner than regular diesel,” one of them said.

His invention impressed climate activists and got over 1.7 million followers on Instagram. As a 776 Foundation Climate Fellow, Brown stood out for his mission: to end plastic waste by turning it into energy.

Two weeks ago Brown posted this on social media:

“Something is happening keep me in your prayers please SCREEN RECORD THIS. I don’t know.”

Since then he hasn’t been seen or heard from and speculation is growing. No official word yet but online worry is mounting.

Julian once said, “As long as I am around there will be no such thing as plastic waste — only untapped energy.”