He and his invention are now being recognized by Popular Mechanics magazine. The magazine has named him one of the Top 10 Innovators of 2009 - not a bad list to make at 23 years old.

As an undergraduate student at MIT, Schroll put together a spherical robot - a moving orb that's controlled remotely. It's been done before, but always with limitations.

"They can't climb over large objects," Schroll said. "They can't climb steep inclines easily, [they are] incapacitated if they fall into a little ditch."

Schroll literally overcame the obstacle by attaching a set of gyroscopes to store momentum.

"Kind of like storing a running start, but you can do it while you're just standing still," he said. "It gives you this huge boost that you can basically use to climb over big obstacles or climb over big stairs."

As a graduate student at Colorado State University, Schroll is currently studying and expanding upon his invention.

Schroll says the robot's technology might eventually be transferred to space exploration, search and rescue operations and reconnaissance.

"There's so much more to do, almost an infinite number of things I could do with it," he said. "I've stayed interested."

Schroll's mentor, CSU professor Dr. David Alciatore, says it hasn't been hard to fuel the young engineer's drive.

"You couldn't ask for a better engineer to be well-rounded and love his work," Alciatore said.

Alciatore says "Innovator" is a fitting title for Schroll because of Schroll's ability to combine the analytical with the creative.

That ability will be hailed Friday night in New York City where Popular Magazine will hold its award ceremony.

Both Scholl and his robot will be in attendance.