RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Three teenagers from Brazil’s Federal District, students at a public school in the Gama district, began to develop a product capable of cooling a can of soda in up to one minute.
The invention was named “reverse microwave,” or ColdStorm.
Adrielle Dantas, Gabrielly Vilaça and Raffaella Gomes study at the Center for High School Integrated to Vocational Education (CEMI) and began the project in 2017.
They used e-waste to build the prototype. Computer coolers (which are used to prevent processors from overheating) and Peltier pellets (thermoelectric coolers for heating and cooling objects) are the foundation of the invention.
Last year, the girls took part in the Public Schools Science Circuit in the Federal District and in the school science exhibition and successfully classified.
They took the “reverse microwave” to the Science, Engineering, Technology, and Education Exhibition (EXPOCETI), in Pernambuco.
During EXPOCETI — which took place between June 24th and 30th — the project they developed received several awards.
Adrielle Dantas, Gabrielly Vilaça and Raffaella Gomes won first place in the engineering area and received outstanding certificates from the Faculdade Imaculada Conceição de Recife College and the World International Fairs Association (WIFA).
Besides, the students came home with a letter of accreditation for the Latin American Scientific Muestra (MCL) in Trujillo, Peru. The meeting will take place between September 9th and 15th.
Market opportunities
The trio needs to finish ColdStorm to take part in the exhibition in Peru.
However, one of the project’s developers, Gabrielly Vilaça, said that the group still lacks funds for the prototype and to bear the costs of the trip.
“After EXPOCETI, there were several improvement ideas based on suggestions of evaluators,” says the student.
To implement the recommendations, they have created an online fundraiser. “We are focused on two things: reconstruction and improvement of the prototype and collection of funds to pay for the trip to Peru.”
For their CEMI teacher, Maria Zilma Conceição de Araújo, who is following the development of the “reverse microwave,” the students’ invention has a future.
“Commercially speaking, I believe ColdStorm holds market potential, mainly because of the energy savings, which is the project’s ultimate goal.”
According to Maria Zilma, the students enjoy a perfect combination of profiles. “The girls are curious, studious and aware of the challenges they need to face,” she says.