UPDATE: Seems the duo didn’t quite beat the competition as the gold medal has been clarified to be given out to any participant that has scored enough points. More clarification below.
Two Malaysian students recently won a gold medal and best overall award at the International Exhibition of Invention for Geneva 2016. What did they create you ask? a power bank that can produce its own power from within.
The International Exhibition of Invention is the world’s biggest innovation exhibition in the world, with this year being the 44th year running with over 695 exhibitors from 40 different countries converging to show their very best. And this invention of theirs managed to beat the innovations of over a thousand other contestants.
The power bank, named the “Power Bank: Exieco PB” was invented by the two form 5 students from Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Kuala Terengganu, Ahmad Ashraf Aqil and Ahmad Luqmanul Hakim Ariffin Ahmad Tirmizi. The idea for this power pack came to them when flooding ravaged their hometown and caused a loss of electricity.
Regular power banks store electricity from outside sources to be used later, but this one generates its own power though the oxidization of the fuel cell within. The cell produces energy through chemical reactions of the materials within; namely coal compounds, aluminium and a salt solution to generate electricity.
The team is currently seeking approval from SIRIM for the “Power Bank: Exieco PB” for the purpose of marketing the innovation under MARA. If they succeed, its quite possible the Exieco: PB might become a great power source in times of emergency. Malaysia could use more young innovators like these two fellows; and hopefully they inspire even more.
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As it turns out, the two (among many others) are just one of many who returned to their home countries with the said gold medals. The special award to them was, in fact, from Egypt’s science committee, as they were interested in their project. The teacher who accompanied the duo, Anuar Ghani, clarified that the gold medal was given to any team that scored enough points to quality and it didn’t indicate that they won the best invention award. He added they did win the gold medal but it is based on merits if it scored enough points.
According to the official site, the Grand Prix title was awarded to Professor Kok-Wah Cheah from Cathay Photonics for his process of reinforcing glass surfaces by applying a thin layer of sapphire. You can check out the prize list here.
