That spark of innovation

 

 

The Hindu : Varsshini R. demonstrates her device which generates electricity using mechanical pressure, in Bangalore on Friday. Also seen are Mount Litera Zee School principal Sandhya Sriraman and BrainCafe Karnataka head Sunil N. Photo: K. Gopinathan

State-level BrainCafe Budding Scientist Contest today

A small spark of a gas stove lighter that her mother used every day was enough for Varsshini R., a Class 6 student at Mount Litera Zee School in Hosur, to create an innovative device that generates electricity using mechanical pressure.

Her new device, made out of a small wooden plank, LEDs and piezoelectric material, was demonstrated at a press conference here on Friday under the aegis of BrainCafe, an activity-based learning programme for schools which is a joint venture of Zee Learn Ltd. and Gakken Educational Co.

How it works

Demonstrating the device, she said it works on the principle that electricity is generated from the electrons released by piezoelectric material when any pressure is placed on it. As it was a cost-effective way of producing electricity, the idea was applicable at public places such as staircases, footpaths and roads, the 11-year-old said.

“My aim is to become a scientist in the future,” the budding scientist added.

Sandhya Sriraman, school principal, said they were implementing the idea in their school to generate their own electricity.

Varsshini’s invention has also made its way to State-level BrainCafe Budding Scientist Contest 2012, which will be held on Saturday at the Insight Academy, 20, Mango Garden Layout, Konanakunte, here.

Forty young scientists from Bijapur, Hosur, Mandya, Mysore, Davangere, Gadag and Shimoga will participate in the event.

The national event, which will be held in November in Mumbai, will see participation from 9,000 students.