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Steffek Rainey

@steffekrainey

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Design Engineering @harvard
Founder @everabottle

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What if your idea could change the world, even at 16?

Join Steffek Rainey, founder of Evera, Co-founder of Preta and Harvard Design Engineering grad, for a free webinar on his story of building things that make the world a little better.

Steffek invented the world’s first insulated water bottle with reusable cutlery inside, and he’ll share how he went from a young person with an idea to building real products.

📅 Thursday 22nd October
⏰ 5:00-5:45pm AEDT
🎟️ Free for all young people.
📍 On Wavechangers App: Download to RSVP + watch 🔗 link in bio

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so long summer👋

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Preta: Sustainable composite materials from sequestered carbon.
Developed by @hanakhurshid and @steffekrainey

#harvardmde #harvardseas #harvardgsd #circulareconomy #designengineering

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Hana Khurshid and Steffek Rainey (MDE 2026) are building Preta, converting emissions into climate-positive commercial value. The question Khurshid & Rainey asked: What if carbon were viewed as a resource, not just a pollutant?

Preta sequesters and solidifies atmospheric carbon to create sustainable composite materials. These materials can be used to make anything from housewares to apparel, stabilizing carbon that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere and turning emissions into an asset that generates value in the economy.

Preta also won the MDE Thesis Prize this year!

Head over to the GSD website for a full feature and the interview - link in comments!

#harvardmde #harvardseas #harvardgsd #carbonsequestration #circulareconomy

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Hana Khurshid (MDE '26) @hanakhurshid and Steffek Rainey @steffekrainey (MDE ’26) won this year's @harvardmde Thesis Prize for their project Preta.

Preta addresses a fundamental challenge in today’s material economy: we operate in a largely linear system that generates over 40 gigatons of CO₂ annually, with emissions continuing to rise. While carbon capture technologies are advancing, many remain energy-intensive, costly, and difficult to scale. At the same time, large volumes of carbon-rich waste, particularly from biomass, are underutilized or released back into the atmosphere. Preta reframes this challenge.

Khurshid and Rainey write: "Instead of viewing carbon only as a pollutant, we asked whether carbon can become the foundation of the material world around us. Preta transforms carbon-rich waste into durable, high-performance composites, supported by a material system we have developed and prototyped to balance carbon content, strength, and manufacturability. By locking carbon into everyday products, from furniture to apparel, we prevent its return to the atmosphere. We aim to revolutionize the way carbon is viewed, turning emissions into assets that generate new economic value."

🔗 We recently featured this project on our website and interviewed Khurshid and Rainey. Link in bio! A matte black, minimalist faucet and circular basin on a round surface against a plain background.

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I really don’t know how to put the last two years into words. Going to Harvard was something I never thought was ever possible. But now that it’s over, I don’t think that’s what I’ll remember the most.

I’ll remember the people, the friends that somehow became family. The conversations that completely changed the way I see the world. Being surrounded by people who are unbelievably talented and inspiring. I learned so much from you all. I love you guys and miss you everyday.

These two years gave me so much more than a degree. They gave me confidence, lifelong friendships, and memories I don’t think i’ll ever stop talking about.

@dayyem_khan thank you for believing in me, supporting me through it all, and letting me chase my dreams.

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And that’s a wrap on Season 1 of @beyondharvard 🎙️

I started this podcast to share the stories of students at @harvard. Over the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of sitting down with friends, classmates, and thought leaders whom I pull so much inspiration from.

To the 10 wonderful guests who sat down with us this season, and to all who have supported this journey: thank you, beyond 💛

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❤️💙

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Congrats Class of 2026!!!

The story has just begun.

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Steffek built the world’s first water bottle with reusable cutlery to address the plastic pollution crisis.

Visit link in bio to learn about Steffek’s journey!

#studentstories #reusablebottle #harvardgsd #harvardseas #podcast

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Creativity is what makes us human

#harvardgsd #designengineering #harvard #harvardengineering #studentstories

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How Steffek built initial prototype for @everabottle

Visit link in bio for full episode!

#harvardgsd #designengineering #harvard #harvardengineering #studentstories

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