Invent for the Planet

Invent for the Planet is a global, 48-hour collaborative competition that brings together students from more than 50 universities to work on innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, hosted by one of Swansea University’s partner Universities, Texas A&M University. Participants focus on addressing global issues, including environmental concerns, energy solutions, social challenges, improving conditions in developing nations, and promoting resource equity.

FIRST PLACE: WASTE2WATTS

Project:

With one billion people worldwide live in slums, meaning more than 20% of the world’s population are living in poverty housing areas and leading to a severe global housing crisis. The challenge is to develop innovative, cost-effective housing solutions that address the needs of rapidly expanding slum populations while ensuring access to sanitation, safe water, and sustainable living conditions. 

Waste2Watts, created the dry toilet solution for residents of Nairobi, Kenya. Their product would improve sanitation and help prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.  It would also capture methane to generate household power, create fertiliser for use in local agriculture, and create employment opportunities.  

Students:

  • Ethan Dickinson - Electrical Engineering
  • Jack Boswell Brown - Civil Engineering
  • Maya Williams - Geography
  • Rhys Rodrigues - Engineering Management
  • Sar Sainbayar - Chemical Engineering

Awarded: £1,500

SECOND PLACE: TAMBORAS PATH

Project:

Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events and environmental degradation threatening ecosystems, economies and communities worldwide. While efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are critical, innovative solutions are needed to both mitigate the causes of climate change and help societies adapt to its inevitable impacts. 

The Tamboras Path team's Ember Alert innovation is a solution to adapt to climate change creating a sensor that used radio transmitters, sensors and AI to monitor carbon dioxide in certain areas to minimise the risk of wildfires in vulnerable areas of the world.  

Students:

  • Adam Coupland - Civil Engineering
  • Adilur Rahman Chowdhury - Computer Science
  • Claudiu Taralunga - Mechanical Engineering
  • Jude Clough - Aerospace Engineering
  • Siana Deakins - Environmental Science 

Awarded: £1,000

THIRD PLACE: BLUEEYE

Project:

The world’s major energy companies are committed to reducing their carbon footprint while meeting the growing energy demands of a rapidly developing world. However, transitioning to lower-carbon solutions requires innovative approaches to decarbonise operations and integrate sustainable practices across the energy value chain. 

BlueEye focused on a developing lower carbon solutions for the energy sector with their a AI driven drone for methane leak detection. They created a prototype for their drone, in which the design included a drone management system and a gas camera that recorded data for machine learning and observation. 

Students:

  • Delfin Nevzat - Chemical Engineering
  • Harsh Purbey - Aerospace Engineering
  • Joseph Halliwell - Chemical Engineering
  • Khady Fall - Computer Science
  • Nivedh George Palatty - Mechanical Engineering
  • Oluwadara Bobade - Electrical Engineering

Awarded: £500

POSITIVE FEEDBACK

“Invent for the Planet gives participants a unique opportunity to work with students from other subjects, disciplines and year groups on a real-world challenge of their choosing. Swansea has been part of the event since it was established in 2018, and every year we see more and more of our students interested in taking part. I am extremely grateful to our long-time partner, Texas A&M University for giving Swansea students the opportunity to be part of this exciting event and to the REIS Student Enterprise team for helping to deliver such a successful event year on year. Student feedback shows what a huge impact this event has on participants and the wide range of transferable skills that it develops.”

Dr Caroline Coleman-Davies
Deputy Head of Academic Partnerships
Swansea University