Students show innovation adds value

Dubai - Tracking system for Alzheimer's, eco-friendly car wash among over 230 projects

 "Science is the way forward for both men and women. They must be encouraged to explore it. Innovation is for everyone," said Rauda Al Shamsi, a 17-year-old inventor and student of the Applied Technology High School in Al Ain.
Presenting her science project 'Eco-friendly car wash', Rauda and her classmates said they made the project out of genuine concern for the amount of water that is wasted in washing a car.
"More that 140 gallons of water is used to wash one car in an automatic car washing dock," said 15-year-old Hamda Al Eissa.
She added: "Our invention will recycle the water used to wash the car in the car wash dock itself. The automatic car wash runs on solar energy, thereby conserving both water and electricity."
The 10th graders along with their classmate Mariam Al Khyeli said they have great hope in their project and it has gone through many prototypes to reach the final product.
"It took us an entire month to ensemble this project," said Hamda. The girls spoke to Khaleej Times at the annual science fair for students Think Science 2016.
The Emirates Foundation's Think Science is a three-day event that brought together 550 UAE youth to showcase their inventions for the national Think Science Competition.
Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre till today, the fair was inaugurated by Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, managing director of Emirates Foundation, on Sunday.
Over 600 high school and university students put together 235 projects, across 13 categories at the annual fair that attracts thousands of visitors.
Inventions by students
Pakistani nationals and ninth graders Mohammed Abdullah (15), Syed Mohammed Ismail (16), and Sohaib Shahzad (14) invented the 'Motion-based message conveyor for paralysed people.'
The boys are students of the Islamia English School in Abu Dhabi. The invention is a hand glove that can be fitted into the hands of a person who is partially paralysed.
"The glove senses hand movements of the patient and messages like 'Hungry', 'Thirsty', 'Need Help' are flashed on a sign board near the hospital bed, signaling for help," said Mohammed.
Ismail added: "It took us about two months to assemble the glove and as of now we are facing small issues with the battery inside the glove."
However, the boys have great hope in their invention and it will be very useful for people with movement problems.
Addressing his desire to become an engineer, Muhammed recommended that schools encourage more and more students to become inventors.
"We spend many hours and days studying for our exams. Schools should encourage us to invent more," said Ismail.
Another invention 'Tracking system for Alzheimer's patients' is the brainchild of 16-year-old's Hessa Mubarak Al Subousi, Shaikha Salem Al Ghefeli, and Geri Anne Mamad Soriaro.
The girl students of the Liwa International School in Al Ain have invented a tracking device that can be used to spot people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease.
"The wrist band is attached with a finger print scanner that can be locked and unlocked only by the caregiver of the patient," added Subousi.
"I was inspired to build this after I came across a patient who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. They would keep getting lost and according to research only 60 per cent of patients suffering from Alzheimer's are found after they are lost," added Al Ghefeli.
According to Geri, the device works as a GPS tracker and in case the patient has gone missing, they can track them on a mobile app.
Concerned about the state of road safety in UAE, boys from the Secondary Technical School in Sharjah have invented a 'bullet resistant tyre for military purposes'.
"The tyre was built for military purposes. However, it can be used by civilians as the security facets on the tyres are very high," said Shuaib Abdul Karim Al Zarooni (17).
His classmates Saif Al Marzooqui (17) and Humaid Atif Alameri (17) are co-inventors. "The tyre can be used on huge trucks and tanks and an in-built compressor in the engine ensures that the tyre never loses pressure," added Zarooni.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com