Julian Brown, a 21-year-old inventor from metro Atlanta, has been missing since early July after developing a machine that turns plastic into fuel. His disappearance has raised alarm among his 1.7 million followers and the environmental tech world.
Brown gained attention in 2024 for inventing Plastoline, a device that converts plastic waste into fuels like gasoline and diesel. The machine uses a microwave pyrolysis process to break down plastic into clean-burning energy. Brown built the first version himself while still in high school.
Supporters praised his work as a major step toward solving the plastic pollution crisis. He started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $1 million to build a larger prototype. By July 2025, the fundraiser had gathered around $18,000.
Concern grew after Brown posted a strange video on Instagram on July 3. In the video, he claimed he was “under attack” and warned his audience to “keep their eyes open.” He mentioned black helicopters near his home. His final post on July 9 included a desperate message: “Something is happening, keep me in your prayers please. SCREEN RECORD THIS.”
Since then, there have been no updates from Brown. Some fans believe his invention made him a target. Online users have shared posts about suspicious activity around him, including brake tampering and helicopters. Some point to a pattern of clean energy inventors facing pushback in the past.
Despite the online speculation, police say they have no active missing person case involving Brown. His mother, Nia, told the Daily Mail that he is safe but could not give more information for security reasons.
Julian Brown is the founder of NatureJab and Jabaroma. He was also a Climate Fellow with the 776 Foundation. In a March interview, he said he created Plastoline because he saw that most recycling wasn’t actually helping the planet.
With no new information, many are using the hashtag #WheresJulianBrown to keep his story alive. For now, his whereabouts remain unknown, and the future of his promising invention is unclear.
