Making India Proud Inspiring Stories of Young Indian Innovators Unless the real importance of pure science is recognised, and its fundamental influence in the advancement of all knowledge is realised and acted upon, India cannot make headway in any direction and attain her place among the nations of the world. There is only one solution for India’s economic problems and that is science and more science and still more science.
Sir C V Raman Nobel Laureate for Physics in 1930 Making India Proud Inspiring Stories of Young Indian Innovators
Contents
Foreword ...... 9 Sharanya S The Joy Of Discovery ...... 56 The Story So Far ...... 10 Amruth B R Glimpses of Excellence ...... 12 All I Need Are Wings ...... 60 Madhurima Benakareddy Sameer Yeleswarapu It All Started With A Seed ...... 21 A Winner From Every Angle ...... 67 Sarvesh Rathore Zeeshan Ali Sayyed Curiosity Has Its Rewards ...... 26 Living For Research ...... 71 Yash Vasant Joshi Vrishikumar Patil Simple Is Brilliant ...... 31 Technology Addict ...... 76 Akshat Singhal Malavika Vinod Tiwari The Persistent Pathbreaker ...... 35 The Summer Of Hope ...... 80 Madhav Pathak Apurv Mishra When Passion Breeds Miracles ...... 41 Born To Lead ...... 87 Bhushan Prakash Mahadik Hamsa Padmanabhan The Journey Is The Reward ...... 47 Physics In The Blood ...... 94 Senthalir P Varun Mittal Seizing The Opportunity ...... 51 A Happy Accident ...... 99 Contents
Kanishka Tiwary Vishnu Jayaprakash When Inspiration Works Wonders ...... 103 The Power Of Waste ...... 147 Swathi Soman Hetal Kanjibhai Vaishnav India’s Pride: Twice Over! ...... 106 A Passion For The Environment ...... 152 Rishin Behl Kaushik Srivatsan K An Ignited Mind ...... 111 A Very Special Flower ...... 159 Ambud Sharma Manosij Ghosh Dastidar A Cool Solution ...... 117 Winning Twice? Q E D! ...... 164 Lavanya H Giriraj Raghavendra Ramachanderan A Quest For Science ...... 122 A Special Chemistry ...... 171 Pooja Dholakiya Ankur Kanjibhai Vaishnav Winning The World With Science ...... 127 Like Sister, Like Brother ...... 177 Riddhi Dasani Crossing New Horizons ...... 131 ANNEXURES Anish Mukherjee On Top of the World ...... 135 Finding The Better Way ...... 137 The Winning Ideas ...... 181 Debarghya Sarkar A Life Changing Experience ...... 141 Scientific Review Committee ...... 211 Foreword
Dr Praveen Vishakantaiah President Intel India
Students of today are the innovators of tomorrow. Given a fertile the Internet. We would also like to acknowledge their teachers, environment, the seeds of innovation can take root and flourish. guides and mentors through this effort. Intel is committed to the cause of igniting young minds and At Intel, we are happy to have been a part of their stellar achieve- instilling a strong scientific temper in them. For over a decade, ments. These brilliant young minds have attained international Intel has been passionately and relentlessly focussing on its fame by winning at the National Fairs of the Initiative for pursuit to discover, nurture and promote many young innovators Research & Innovation in Science (IRIS), or its predecessor, across India. the Intel® Science Talent Discovery Fair. IRIS is an exemplary The thirty one young Indians who illuminate this book are public-private partnership with the Department of Science and shining examples of what our young generation is capable Technology, Government of India, and the Confederation of of. Since 1999, each of them has brought honour to India as Indian Industry. It recognises and rewards outstanding ideas, winners at the Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair and provides a platform for these geniuses to represent India (Intel ISEF), the world’s largest pre-college science fair competition, at Intel ISEF and other global science competitions. held every year in the United States of America. These young Intel believes that students everywhere deserve to have the Indians have proved their mettle against the best in the world. skills necessary to become the next generation of innovators. From Thiruvananthapuram to Kanpur, and from Rajkot to Kolkata, The young geniuses whose achievements we have celebrated they come from every part of the country. These students in this book are great examples for others to emulate. Their have a deep passion for science and research. For many of stories are truly inspirational and we hope that through them, them, finding solutions to problems they encountered in their we will be able to motivate other children around us, stimulate daily lives was the motivation; others chose to research more their curiosity and creativity so that they become the next abstract topics that they encountered in their studies or on generation of young Indian scientists to make the country proud. The Story So Far
Science competitions are catalysts for their interest in science and technology, IRIS is a research based science fair for improved education in classrooms. and build a robust scientific temper among students, with an objective to inspire Research shows a direct connection the youth. budding scientists in India. Today, IRIS between participation in student research is the single largest science initiative in Intel STDF gave students a platform to and ongoing success in science, including the country. 10 display their scientific aptitude, discover successful completion of a Master’s or unique scientific solutions to everyday IRIS conducts science fairs annually Ph D. That’s why we continue to invest problems, and win public recognition and in India for middle and high school in science competitions—to inspire a path awards at the national and international students, who compete in 11 subject to innovation. level. It also encouraged students to categories: Behavioural Sciences, Since the Intel® Education Initiative was use research as a tool for creating new Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, launched in India more than a decade ago, knowledge about themselves and the Computer Science, Engineering, numerous school students have been world around them. Environmental Science, Mathematics, touched by Intel’s science initiatives. Intel Nutrition, Physics In February 2006, Intel STDF was merged has been challenging young minds to and Zoology. with Steer the Big Idea, a joint initiative bend the rules of science to find new of the Department of Science and IRIS promotes and nurtures science and answers and innovative applications. Technology, Government of India, and the scientific research among young Indian To start with, this was done annually Confederation of Indian Industry, to form innovators, recognises and rewards through the Intel Science Talent Discovery the Initiative for Research & Innovation outstanding projects, and provides Fair (Intel STDF). Launched in 1998, this in Science (IRIS). This is a comprehensive a platform for these geniuses to nationwide initiative helped infuse a spirit initiative for popularising innovation and represent India at global science of discovery in school children, increase science among students. competitions like the Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), scientific questions using authentic the International Exhibition for Young research practices to create solutions Inventors, and the Stockholm International for a better tomorrow. Youth Science Seminar. Till 2012, a total of 69 Indian students Intel ISEF, a program of Society for have won 87 awards and accolades at 11 Science & the Public, is held every year Intel ISEF—including 16 students who in the United States of America. It is have had minor planets named after the world’s largest pre-college science them by MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory under fair competition. the Ceres Connection Program! Each year, more than 6 million high school students from around the world vie for a spot among the 1,500 finalists. For those chosen, it’s a chance to showcase cutting-edge research and compete for more than USD 4 million in awards and scholarships. More than 1,000 science, engineering, and industry professionals volunteer at Intel ISEF to For detailed information on IRIS and judge the student projects and award Intel ISEF, please visit: prizes. At the fair, students are www.irissciencefair.org encouraged to tackle challenging www.intel.com/education/in. Glimpses of Excellence
We had the privilege of sharing our table with Norman Ramsey, Nobel Prize winner for Physics. In the same function, we had a session with Jeanne Cavelos, an astrophysicist, and Dr David Stork. All these are my 1999 precious memories at Intel ISEF. Yash Vasant Joshi Intel ISEF 2001
12 2000
I never thought even in my dreams of going out of the country and representing such a great country at the international level. If somebody asks me to describe this fair even in a thousand words, I can’t! Sarvesh Rathore Intel ISEF 2000 2001 The ISEF is surely one experience I will never forget. It taught me so much and humbled me 2005 so much, and gave me a new confidence that I shouldn’t lose. I saw outside my own box of thoughts, sights, and places, and I saw that the world is wonderful and different out there. Akshat Singhal Intel ISEF 2002 This six day Fair was really awesome and an opportunity which only a few lucky 2002 students experience. Thank 2007 you, Intel, for the opportunity —this experience has given 2003 me a lot of exposure and confidence in my scientific 13 You can imagine the sense of goals. All of us have returned amazement an 11th Standard with great memories and with kid will have while talking to a pride that we successfully Nobel laureate: Robert F Curl, Jr! represented the Indian team. He probably came to my booth Kanishka Raajkumar because it had “Carbon Nano- Intel ISEF 2004 tubes” written on it. We talked science for a bit. He was extremely kind and a very down-to-earth person, and quite appreciative of my work. 2004 That was the best part! Bhushan Mahadik Intel ISEF 2003 It was a great and proud feeling, the biggest achievement of my life. My experiences at Intel were life defining moments that completely changed my personality and installed in me, supreme confidence. Malavika Tiwari Intel ISEF 2005
Fly a fantasy, dream a dream, and what you see will be! I felt lucky, blessed and excited to be among the eight participants selected from the Indian team. 14 It was a dream come true to be a winner twice over. Swathi Soman Intel ISEF 2006
2005 2006 2007 15
The competition at the IRIS National Fair was nowhere close to what I experienced at ISEF. Meeting so many people was overwhelming. We got a lot of support from Intel in the form of guidance at coaching camps, which helped in improving not only our project, but also our presentation skills. Nikhil Khosla Intel ISEF 2007 This journey from IRIS to Intel ISEF has taught me to plan more systematically and do things on time. I look forward to coming up with more innovative ideas to make everybody’s life better, and to be remembered for a lifetime. Winning an award was a dream come true. 2005 Divya Jain Intel ISEF 2009
16
2008 India has always been on the frontier of science and technology, and bagging a prize at a global science forum proved to the world our excellence in innovation in the field of science and technology. And I still feel humbled and privileged to have made my country proud. Ambud Sharma Intel ISEF 2008 2010
Intel ISEF 2010 was a dream come true for me. I was very excited to meet students of my age from different countries who had 17 worked on different aspects of science. The sheer magnitude and grandeur of the event makes me proud that I could represent my country at this forum. Kaushik Srivatsan Intel ISEF 2010 2009 Team India with Elizabeth Marincola, President, Society for Science & the Public, at Intel ISEF 2011
I thank Intel for giving students such an amazing opportunity to showcase their talent and interest in science. Every moment spent at the Intel ISEF was memorable—mingling with like-minded students from around the world, listening to industry veterans and being inspired by what inspired them! Raghavendra Ramachanderan 18 Intel ISEF 2011
2011 19 20 It All Started With A Seed… Madhurima Benakareddy 1999
St Augustine’s English Medium High School As Madhurima Benakareddy goes Annona squamosa, had significant anti- Anantapur about her research in neurosciences at feedant and insecticidal properties that Andhra Pradesh Hoffman-La Roche in Basel, Switzerland, were very useful in protecting plants her thoughts sometimes go back to the and crops from persistent organic humble custard apple seed that started pollutants and other crop irritants, as 21 her down the path of brilliance that has well as in preserving food grains. got her where she is today. She developed a pesticide by using Madhurima was a 14 year old girl powdered custard apple seeds and studying in Class 10 at St Augustine’s tested it on various crops and plants. English Medium High School in That was the basis of the project, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, when Development of Biopesticides through she observed that grazing cattle Chemical Technology, that made her always avoided custard apple saplings. a National Winner at the first Intel Creating Bio-Pesticides from Custard Intrigued, she enquired around, and Science Talent Discovery Fair (Intel Apple Seeds found out that extracts from the seeds STDF) in 1998, and qualified to be Biochemistry had been traditionally used in villages part of the four member team that for the treatment of dandruff and lice. represented India at the 50th edition Recognition at Intel ISEF The inquisitive young girl followed up of the Intel® International Science Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 with extensive research in her school, and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF)—the Individual Category going through available journals and “Olympics of Science Fairs”— which was Honourable Mention Award – Entomological taking the help of local experts. She held in Philadelphia, USA, the following Society of America discovered that the custard apple plant, May. There, she brought laurels to India “My initial reaction was one of surprise and excitement. Winning a Grand Award at the Intel ISEF opened up a lot of opportunities and strengthened my personal belief.”
by earning international acclaim and a multitude of awards Philadelphia for her biochemistry project. This is the first time India had participated in the fair, and Madhurima thus carries the 22 distinction of being the first Intel ISEF winner from the country. Madhurima’s awards at Intel ISEF 1999 included the Third Prize in the Grand Awards for Biochemistry, which came with a cash award of USD 1,000; the First Prize from Worldwide Young Researchers for the Environment, which won her an all-expense-paid trip to Hanover, Germany, to participate in the Worldwide Fair in Environmental Sciences in October 2000; and an Honourable Mention and Recognition Certificate from the Entomological Society of America. Reliving the moment, Madhurima says, “My initial reaction was one of surprise and excitement. Winning a Grand Award “The collective energy of all the participants from around the world infected me with enough scientific With Dr Craig R Barrett, enthusiasm to last a long time. It gave me a good idea Ex-Chairman, Intel Corporation (top); of what good science is.” Madhurima’s project (left)
felicitated her at a grand ceremony in enthusiasm to last a long time. It gave Hyderabad. Speaking at the time, this me a good idea of what good science is. is what Madhurima had to say: “The I think having such a perspective early need for developing environmentally on in my scientific process made for a at the Intel ISEF opened up a lot of safe bio-pesticides towards protection solid foundation. I remember meeting 23 opportunities and strengthened my of crops and post-harvest produce is several students from around the world, personal belief. It was only much later well recognised. The recent suicides of and, as I travel down memory lane, I that I realised that while that one farmers in my state due to crop failures see a collage of images of me at the moment of winning the award gave caused by insects and pests spurred me opening ceremony, the Philadelphia me a lot of impetus, what made the to explore the possibility of developing waterfront, making friends from all real difference was all the learning such a pesticide from naturally- around the world. I’m still in touch with experiences in the years preceding occurring agricultural wastes.” a friend I made at Intel ISEF.” that led me to that point. Now, as I look Looking back now, thirteen years later, Second among three sisters, Madhurima’s back several years later, I can clearly see one memory stands out for Madhurima: inspiration has always been her how such exciting opportunities in my the buzz that she got from all the engineer-businessman father and formative years helped me find out what scientific excitement at Fair. Meeting science-educated mother. Her parents I’m really cut out for. And I find myself peers from all around the world gave and siblings always encouraged feeling lucky to have had that chance.” her an amazing sense of perspective her to aim high, as did her mentor, Back home, the bouquets continued to which evoked both self confidence and Prof C Subramanyam from Osmania pour in. While her school acknowledged humility. “The collective energy of all University. She believes that it is their her feat immediately by giving her the participants from around the world unstinting support that helped her a cash award of INR 10,000, Intel infected me with enough scientific achieve what she did. “Intel ISEF has broadened my spectrum and given me much needed perspective and confidence. It offered me focus, and, therefore, a thorough edge over other starry-eyed 16 year olds.”
Life after Intel ISEF changed substantially She also filed for a patent in September for the teenager. There were several 1999 on Isolation and manufacture of offers from the corporate sector for bioactive antifeedants from Annona sponsoring and endorsing her project squamosa seeds at the offices of the 24 and research, within and outside her Controller of Patents and Trade Marks, state. But the aspiring young scientist Chennai, along with Prof Subramanyam. Madhurima at Intel ISEF wanted to continue her studies and She also worked on other aspects of 1999 (top and middle); and with her mentor, conduct further research on her findings. her project with Prof Ashok Khar at Prof C Subramanyam (left) “I want to take this project forward the Centre for Cellular and Molecular to the realm of genetic engineering, Biology, Hyderabad. and also conduct DNA research on Even as she continued with her research, the seeds to develop a foolproof and Madhurima finished her schooling, and effective bio-pesticide,” said Madhurima. graduated with a B Sc from Osmania She followed up on some aspects of University. Then she joined the Tata her project, with Prof Subramanyam as Institute of Fundamental Research for co-investigator, and obtained a grant an integrated Ph D program. It was a big At TIFR, she found a new passion. under the Technopreneur Promotion step for her, because the program required Under the nurturing mentorship of Program (TePP) of the Department a long term commitment to biological Dr Vidita Vaidya, she developed a deep of Scientific and Industrial Research, research. Madhurima believes that interest in neuroscience and behaviour. Government of India. This helped her it was only her previous research Her doctoral work in Dr Vaidya’s group do further field studies on the feasibility experience leading to Intel ISEF that gave her the requisite foundations of her ideas in a real world situation. enabled her to give such a commitment. for a future in neuroscience research. At the Intel STDF 1998 Valediction Ceremony (far left); and with her family (left)
She researched on the effects of experiences shape neural function to get hands-on research experience trauma on the brain in its delicate and behaviour. early on. “Being able to do part- stages of development, in children and time research during undergraduate If you think that life is all about working education gives you an idea of whether adolescents. Her area of study focuses in the lab for this young researcher, you like the scientific experimental on serotonin receptors in the brain. you couldn’t be more wrong. A good 25 process and also enriches your Since 2004, she has many publications invigorating swim once in a while really undergraduate coursework.” in her area of research to her credit. refreshes her. She loves listening to music, Among the various grants and honours and fiddling around on her guitar, trying Scientific research, she believes, is a she has received, the most recent to play her favourite songs. She also cumulative process and it is important was being selected to be one of the loves science fiction and detective novels. to be able to see the meaning of every day’s work and also enjoy it. 570 researchers from 80 countries According to Madhurima, her exposure to meet with 26 Nobel Laureates at at Intel ISEF has helped her in many the 61st Lindau Meeting of Nobel ways, as she has shaped her career. Laureates in June 2011, where the Among the advantages: experience focus was on physiology and medicine. and soft skills. She says, “It taught me At Basel, where she moved in early 2012, the art of effective communication and Madhurima is pursuing a postdoctoral making tough, yet good, choices…” fellowship with Dr Anirvan Ghosh, a Madhurima feels students interested neuroscientist at Hoffman-La Roche. in pursuing scientific research should After she finishes, she hopes to pursue take advantage of the numerous her interest in understanding how life opportunities and fellowships available Curiosity Has Its Rewards 2000 Sarvesh Rathore
Christ Church Boys Senior Secondary School Sarvesh Rathore was vacationing at farmers, because these micronutrients Jabalpur Bilaspur with his friend, Sameep Agarwal, could be made available at prices much Madhya Pradesh when they came across an interesting lower than those of the synthetic phenomenon: they noticed that waste micronutrients currently in the market. 26 from a nearby shellac unit was being These micronutrients would also help dumped in a field—and the plants there increase the crop yield. were thriving! The two 16 year olds, The two friends entered their project who were students at Christ Church at a block level science exhibition Boys Senior Secondary School, Jabalpur, organised by the Madhya Pradesh wondered if the waste had compost like Council for Science and Technology. properties, and contained any elements What followed was a winning run at a that had provided nutrients to the plants string of exhibitions and competitions and helped them flourish. at the district, division and state level. The duo decided to explore this further. The state-level award qualified them to Shellac Industry Waste as a Chelating Very systematically, the boys processed participate in the 1999 edition of the Agent for Uptake of Micronutrients by the waste to a chelating agent for Plants Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair uptake of micronutrients by the plants. (Intel STDF), where they won the Environmental Sciences They isolated micronutrients with iron, National Award in their category. zinc and copper which could be added Recognition at Intel ISEF to the soil to help the plants grow Through this whole process, they had Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 better. The biggest benefit of their the invaluable guidance of Mrs S Malshe, Team Category project was that it would help poor their chemistry teacher, who helped them Sarvesh at Intel ISEF 2000 (right); Getting a hero’s welcome on his return home (below)
in building the concept and nurturing their idea. Sarvesh says, “She guided us with the right approach and provided us with expertise in the subject.” Another teacher, Mr Sanjay Juda, was 27 their project guide. It was he who initially motivated them to participate in science competitions, and supported them in their efforts as they took their winning project from one level to the next. He also gratefully acknowledges the support he received from his parents throughout this endeavour. Their victory at the Intel STDF National Fair earned Sarvesh and Sameep the right to represent India at Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair* 2000 (Intel ISEF 2000). A lot of hard work and fine tuning followed in the months before they set off for Detroit, Michigan, for the prestigious Fair. Sarvesh says that Madhurima Mr Sanjay Juda was their project guide. It was he who initially motivated them to participate in this competition and supported them in all their efforts as they took their winning project from one level to the next.
Sciences project. When they returned victorious to India, Sarvesh and Sameep received more accolades, and they were each awarded INR 51,000 by the Chief 28 Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Sarvesh treasures the long term benefits of his participation at Intel ISEF at least as much as the award he won. Describing his experience at the Fair, he says: “It was simply fabulous! It was great talking Sarvesh at Intel STDF with his teammate, Benakareddy, the first Indian to have won to talented students from all over the Sameep Agarwal (above); and during the at Intel ISEF, was a great inspiration to world—listening to their projects and judging process (right) him as he prepared for the prestigious competing with them. It made me very international event, and hopes that he ambitious and strong in my convictions.” himself would similarly have been an Even today, he considers it one of his inspiration to others in later years. life’s biggest achievements, and feels that his curiosity which was nurtured by At Detroit, the Jabalpur kids proved their this experience has become the secret mettle against the best in the world, for his success today. and were awarded the Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 in the Their project idea was taken up by Team Category for their Environmental some agricultural research institutes Sarvesh has big dreams and wants to do something for his country... “I want to nurture some new idea into reality, and open up my own company around that.”
for further research, but, unfortunately, none of them took it far. Some day, Sarvesh himself hopes to commercialise the idea and see if he can make a business out of it. 29 In the meantime, he is making a mark at Wipro Technologies in Bangalore, where he works as a Supply Chain Management Consultant involved in Do not leave your idea in the middle, implementation engagements in SAP always follow through. Success will SCM. He joined Wipro in 2008 after always follow those who keep their finishing his BE in Computer Science minds open to new ideas and try to get from Jabalpur Engineering College, and, the answers to Why, What and How.” subsequently, his MBA in Supply Chain He himself has big dreams, and wants Management Systems from Indian to do something for his country. Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Sarvesh being feilcitated by Shri Digvijay Singh, Sarvesh strongly feels that the answers The year he joined Wipro, he won the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, on his to all environmental problems lie in return from Intel ISEF Best Debutante Award for the MBA scientific research, and that is where he Batch of 2008 at the company. sees his future: “I want to nurture some He advises the new generation to new idea into reality, and open up my “dream BIG and follow your curiosity. own company around that.” 30 Simple Is Brilliant Yash Vasant Joshi 2001
St Xavier’s High School “Winning at Intel ISEF? At that moment, The prizes apart, Yash’s most memorable Vile Parle it was a feeling of absolute elation and moment at Intel ISEF was meeting Andy Mumbai that of having achieved something Grove, co-founder of Intel. He was one Maharashtra great. Eleven years after that moment, of just five children invited to breakfast it serves as a happy and inspiring with the great man because Mr Grove 31 reminder of my first steps in the field was very impressed with their ideas. of scientific research and development.” Yash recalls: ”I remember explaining That’s what Yash Vasant Joshi, who is to him my whole project at breakneck currently doing his PhD from the Delft speed with trembling hands!” Yash also University of Technology (TU Delft) in had the privilege of sharing a table with the Netherlands, has to say as he looks Norman Ramsey, the 1989 Nobel Prize back at his successful trip to San Jose, winner for Physics. At the same function, California, in 2001 to participate—and he had a session with Jeanne Cavelos, win!—at the Intel International Science noted astrophysicist and science fiction Reprocessing of Plastic Wastes at and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF). writer, and Dr David Stork. ”All these Place of Generation are my precious memories of Intel ISEF,” A student of St Xavier’s High School, Vile adds Yash. Engineering Parle, Mumbai, Yash was only 14 when he won the Intel Achievement Award of USD So what is the story behind this young Recognition at Intel ISEF 5,000 for his project, Reprocessing of Mumbai lad finding his place in the sun Intel Achievement Award of USD 5,000 Plastic Wastes at Place of Generation. He in distant San Jose? also won the Grand Award Fourth Prize in Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500, When Yash visited Juhu beach in Mumbai, Engineering, which was worth USD 500. Individual Category just after the Ganesha festival, he “Intel ISEF was the first opportunity that I had to interact with students, of the same age as I, who were from countries other than my own. It was a confidence building experience, which assured me that the scientific education that I had received was at least as good as anywhere else in the world.” Yash with his father, Vasant, who has been his friend, philosopher and mentor
was most perturbed to find the entire heaters… Lo and behold! As the piston seashore littered with human-generated was pushed down manually, molten waste. Most of it, he found, was plastic plastic extruded through the vent at scrap. The boy determined to do the bottom of the barrel into a bowl 32 something about this gross violation of filled with cold water. The plastic pellets the environment—and from this resolve which were formed could even be sold I was keeping my fingers constantly came a simple, yet remarkable invention: for recycling in the market at INR 20 crossed. After winning, I realised that a bicycle pump modified for household per kg, at the time. all the hard work I had put in had not gone waste.” recycling of plastic scrap! The simple brilliance of his solution to After considering various options for the unfortunate issue of plastic pollution, The impact of ISEF on Yash? He says: compacting and melting thin gauge which is so starkly evident especially “Intel ISEF was the first opportunity thermoplastic scrap, he came up with in the urban landscape, caught the that I had to interact with students, a low cost, simple to operate, and efficient imagination of the judges when he of the same age as I, who were from solution. He converted an old bicycle entered his project in the Intel Science countries other than my own. It was pump into a manual thermoplastic Talent Discovery Fair (Intel STDF) in 2000. a confidence building experience, which assured me that the scientific education extruder. First, he fixed electric band As a National Winner, he was one of the that I had received was at least as good heaters around the lower portion of four students chosen to represent India as anywhere else in the world.” its barrel. He then removed the piston at Intel ISEF 2001, where he got all the assembly, including the leather washer, recognition. Harking back to the moments He is grateful to his father, Mr Vasant and filled the barrel with 100-150 small before his awards were announced Joshi, for introducing him to the field of size plastic carry bags. He reinstalled the in San Jose, Yash says: “At the Award engineering, and for always being his piston assembly, and switched on the Ceremony, till my name was announced, guide and critic in his science projects. Yash’s involvement with his environment-friendly project was not with the intent of reward. Before he set off to San Jose, he had said, “Whether my project wins at Intel ISEF or not, I would like to mass produce this device and make sure that plastic pollution is controlled.”
A victorious Yash with his teammates at Intel ISEF
“A good, hardworking kid, very good in academics and obedient,” is how his father—and mentor—describes Yash. He shares an interesting insight about Yash’s character. At Intel ISEF, Yash 33 could unfortunately not show a live demo of his machine, due to emission rules at the event, which were known to him only after he arrived at the Fair. But the young boy did not get fazed by this turn of events, and confidently explained the working of his invention verbally to the judges. On his experience of mentoring Yash, Mr Joshi says, “Yash saw through all national integrated energy company, make sure that plastic pollution is issues and did not need any inspiration ConocoPhillips. controlled.’’ A noble thought indeed. and follow up. He was very dedicated But Yash’s involvement with his environ- Yash applied for a patent for his low and hardworking.” ment friendly project was not with the cost plastic extruder, which can reprocess Yash’s project also won him, in 2002, intent of reward. Before he set off to various types of household plastic the St Andrews Prize for the Environment, San Jose, he had said, “Whether my waste into saleable pellets. He carried a joint initiative by the University of project wins at Intel ISEF or not, I would on with the project for some time after St Andrews in Scotland and the inter- like to mass produce this device and he returned from Intel ISEF, but he had “Studying a scientific discipline which you really like... is the only way that you can maintain your interest in science and technology in the years to come— and ultimately contribute to the world around you.” Recent pictures of Yash with his friends (top and left)
to set it aside because of complications with processing technology for biomass- that arose in the scaling up of the based fuels to partially replace coal as the original prototype. He realised that heat source in power plant furnaces. it was not viable to commercialise it He advises young students to choose because of factors like the quality of 34 to study a scientific discipline which they raw materials. really like, and not base their choice on Yash completed his BE in Mechanical what job markets dictate. “This is the And whenever Yash misses home, Engineering in 2008, and went on only way that you can maintain your he watches an episode of the long to do his MSc in Sustainable Energy interest in science and technology running TV serial CID, with good old Technology at TU Delft. During this time, in the years to come—and ultimately ACP Pradyuman! he worked for a year as a Trainee contribute to the world around you.” Researcher at Tata Steel, IJmuiden, in An Indophile, Yash aspires to work as the Netherlands, and as a Research an engineer in India, developing techno- Assistant at the Reactor Instituut Delft logies for the betterment of society, at TU Delft. He received the Nuffic with a focus on renewable energy Huygens Scholarship in 2009-2010 for projects. “I plan to be actively involved his Masters. in research for the largest part of my For his PhD, which he is pursuing at the working life,” says this music lover, Process and Energy Department of the who is adept at playing the guitar and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, his the mandolin. His interests don’t end subject of study is combustion in there: he is currently practicing long large thermal power plants,. He is working distance running! The Persistent Pathbreaker Akshat Singhal 2002
St Anselm’s Pink City Senior Secondary School Jaipur Rajasthan
35
IDMS: Intelligent Document Management System
Computer Science
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Minor Planet: (12599) Singhal
Paid Summer Internship at Agilent Technologies Akshat became the youngest Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer at the age of 14; he was the world’s youngest Certified Lotus Professional (CLP) and a Certified Lotus Specialist (CLS)... and one of the first two Indian students to have had the distinction of having a minor planet named after him!
At the age of 14, he was the youngest who have excelled at the Intel® Inter- Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer national Science and Engineering Fair (MCSE), as the Limca Book of Records (Intel ISEF), as part of its Ceres Connection attests. He also became the world’s programme. In 2002, at the Intel ISEF 36 youngest Certified Lotus Professional held in Louisville, Kentucky, Akshat was (CLP) and Certified Lotus Specialist chosen as one of the recipients of this (CLS). He is also one of the youngest honour on the basis of his Computer to have won a paid 8-week summer Science project, and an essay he wrote internship at Agilent Technologies. on Why the Ceres Connection Minor What’s more, he was declared the “Face Planet Honour is Important to Me For Intel ISEF 2002, Akshat had of the Millennium” by MTV! (see page 136). developed the Intelligent Document Management System (IDMS), that helps You’d think that that’s more than enough So, now, in the asteroid belt between in organising documents in standard to make any teenager happy for the Mars and Jupiter orbits minor planet word processing software for easy rest of his life. But, for Jaipur boy Akshat (12599) Singhal! Keeping him company, accessibility and better storage in a small Singhal, there was more: he is one of among others, are (8749) Beatles, (2001) Einstein and (7000) Curie. “It’s office environment. He developed the the first two Indian students to have the biggest gift God has given me,” says system when he found that the My minor planets named after them! Akshat, as he rejoices at having a personal Documents folder on most computers The Intel ISEF experience: with Dr Craig R Barrett Every year, the Lincoln Laboratory space in the cosmos. “Imagine, creatures was full of hundreds of documents with (above); and at the Fair of the Massachusetts Institute of from my planet—Singhalites!” was his no known file name convention, making (below) Technology (MIT) names minor planets first response when he learnt about the the act of finding a desired document after selected students and teachers minor planet being named after him. tedious. His system indexes all documents Akshat found that the My Documents folder on most computers was full of hundreds of documents with no known file name convention, making the act of finding a desired document tedious.So he developed a system that indexes all documents created and stored on a computer so as to allow better organisation and retrieval.
created and stored on a computer so as to By the age of 12, he had started allow better organisation and retrieval. building web sites, and, by 2002, he had One feature of the system is to auto- about 25 of them up and running. One matically categorise documents based of them was set up by him in 2001 for on their contents so that the user doesn’t Jaipur’s Traffic Department. It addressed 37 have to. all types of vehicular problems, and had a whole lot of other information, including His tryst with computers began way the organisational set up of the depart- back in 1993, when a small computer ment, all aspects of the work of the institute opened in his residential colony. traffic police, an online interactive city The then 8 year old Akshat attended map in which each and every city lane LOGO and Basic programming classes. could be seen, and various charges He was amazed by “the infinite relating to city transport. There was even capabilities of the machine” and “had a a vintage car gallery, which had details whale of a time making designs in LOGO.” More memories from Akshat’s Intel ISEF album of all the vintage cars in the Pink City! His growing interest in computers prompted his father to buy a PC for him So, from where did this whiz kid draw his when he was just 12. “I was thrilled,” he inspiration? “It comes from somewhere says. ”I went overboard conducting my within me,” said a 17 year old Akshat, little experiments with it. It’s really when he had won at Intel ISEF 2002. a coincidence that I got into computers A decade later, an older, wiser Akshat as a career, because it’s more of a hobby says, “Some of my inspirations are than a profession.” Sawai Jai Singh II’s ambition and opulence, “Some of my inspirations are Sawai Jai Singh II’s ambition and opulence, Mahatma Gandhi’s courage and frugality, President A P J Abdul Kalam‘s wisdom, and the Beatles’ imagination!”
Akshat at his project stall at Intel ISEF
utility, and helped me shape the ideas ISEF. Along this journey, he had a lot of behind my project.” fun meeting young and old scientists from across India and the world. He learnt His Intel ISEF experience was memorable as he made his first journey by plane, about scientific discourse, and got to 38 and visited a foreign country for the first see places like the Indian Institute of time—and that, too, without his parents! Technology and the Nehru Science The memory of his first Starbucks coffee Centre in Mumbai, where he took part in at the Washington airport costing almost the Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair. INR 200 “is unforgettable”. On a more At Intel ISEF, he was surprised that the serious note, he says, “The Fair did make Nobel laureates he met were the most me happy about whatever I’ve done. It set modest people in the whole gathering. Mahatma Gandhi’s courage and frugality, me in the category of young geniuses He was impressed by their good sense President A P J Abdul Kalam‘s wisdom, from around the world, and that was of humour, too! One of the senior and the Beatles’ imagination!” my honour. It was a humbling, yet scientists from the Association for His mother, Sunita Singhal, played a encouraging, experience.” Computing Machinery (ACM) commented crucial part in his success at Intel ISEF. When he started, the student of Jaipur’s that he had a fundamentally new idea, He calls her his guide for his project, St Anselm’s Pink City Senior Secondary and the judges from NASA were also though “she’s not a computer professional School didn’t have much hope of his quite impressed by his project. His per se, but over the years has endured project winning any award, and was unforgettable experience taught him many long and sometimes boring stories expecting an E for effort. But his so much, even as it humbled him, giving that I often tell about computers. She project made it through various levels him a new confidence that he would was also a good judge of process and of science fairs till it brought him to Intel never lose. He developed a system that not only automatically categorises documents, but finds relations between them, using state-of-the-art artificial intelligence.
On his return home!
problem he was trying to solve earlier, Intel ISEF project in the near future, but but now in a more complex and research- working on his project introduced him oriented avatar. This time, he developed to some fascinating research ideas a system that not only automatically which he might pursue at some point categorises documents, but finds in the future, and maybe even create 39 relationships between them, using state a product. of the art artificial intelligence. He read Akshat sharing an After completing Class 12, Akshat went After he graduated from Oberlin with many computer science research papers unforgettable moment to Oberlin College, a private liberal arts a BA (Hons) in Computer Science and with a Nobel Laureate in order to develop this project, and, as college in Oberlin, Ohio, noted for having Applied Mathematics, Akshat came back a result, got interested in two fields of been the first American institution to Jaipur and engaged in independent computer science related to machine of higher learning to regularly admit software and web development work learning and artificial intelligence: female and black students. He was on locally for a while. But then he went automatic text categorisation, which is a scholarship to study Computer Science. back to the US, and has been working a complex mathematical and theoretical since 2010 as a software dispute analyst During his college days, he won the problem that falls under the research at Disputesoft in Washington, DC. Here, Denison University Programming Contest area of Information Retrieval; and he works on major software-related in 2008, and competed in the ACM Natural Language Programming, a study legal disputes in the International Trade International Collegiate Programming of programs that read and interpret text Commission, and in US and foreign Competition in 2006, 2007 and 2008. written in human languages such as courts, as a technical expert. His job is an Hindi and English. It was during his senior Honors project interesting mix of being a computer at Oberlin College that he revisited his Akshat says that he is not planning to detective and the reasonable voice of Intel ISEF project, addressing the same make a commercial product out of his a practitioner of the industry. “Education is the process of learning from one’s environment, so as to become capable of exerting precise control on the environment. Apart from good grades in school, try and seek good grades in life by building valuable partnerships, earning street smarts, and learning to work on scientific projects and scientific inquiries.”
A proud winner at Intel STDF 2001
Today, he is content working in the learning from one’s environment, so as computer industry, and is reaping the to become capable of exerting precise rewards of computer science research control on the environment. Apart from for practical use and value creation. But, good grades in school, try and seek 40 for Akshat, computers remain a hobby good grades in life by building valuable as well, as he finds them extremely partnerships, earning street smarts, and fascinating. He lives in the vibrant DuPont learning to work on scientific projects Circle neighbourhood of Washington, DC, and scientific inquiries. As a student, try takes public transportation to work, and to find subjects that you enjoy, problems enjoys the recreational opportunities that you want to solve, and ask good available in the city. He likes to go questions. Following your curiosity in And, of course, he looks forward to bowling, and to shooting ranges, race one favourite subject can sometimes telling his grandchild, “Yes, little one, tracks, dance halls, restaurants and open up time that you can use on that is grandpa’s planet… right there!” tourist spots in the area. Listening to a more difficult subject. Be persistent music, playing video games, photography, about your inquiries: always keep a little and visiting wide open spaces are among notebook handy, and write down ideas his interests, along with debating about and questions. (This was suggested to philosophy, politics, economics and me by a judge at an ISEF event!).” racial identity. Someday he hopes to settle down He advises young students to keep and become a tenured professor, as their schooling and education completely he is “good at teaching, thanks to his separate. “Education is the process of research-related experience.” When Passion Breeds Miracles Madhav Pathak 2002
Joy Higher Secondary School Jabalpur Madhya Pradesh
41
Modification in Braille Slate to Make Writing Easy for Blind
Life Sciences
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Minor Planet: (12509) Pathak Madhav set out to improve the conventional Braille slate to make writing easier for the visually handicapped—and ended up being one of the first two students from India to have minor planets named after them!
Madhav with his family
What does it take to have your name up in the heavens? For Madhav Pathak, a Class 10 student of Joy Higher Secondary School, Jabalpur, it was an 42 improved Braille slate that he invented. For the visually impaired, Braille is the gateway to the world. The six dots, which, in various combinations, make up different characters, provide them access to information that they would otherwise not have had. But 15 year old Madhav found that there was a fly in the ointment. He found that his students from India to have minor planets reverse of a sheet of paper, so that the visually impaired uncle could read the named after them! raised dots on the other side can be read left to right. Braille script without a problem, but To understand what Madhav did, let’s when it came to writing, it was a different look at how Braille works. “Reading Try doing this with any normal written story altogether; it was a very tedious Braille is the same as what we do—from script, and you will realise how impossibly procedure. left to right,” explains Madhav. “But difficult it is. Blind children have to So he set out to improve the convent- writing is just the opposite: it’s written memorise more than 300 combinations ional Braille slate to make writing easier in a mirror image form, from right to of dots, since they need one set of for the visually handicapped—and left. It takes a lot of time.” Traditionally, combinations for reading, and another ended up being one of the first two Braille is imprinted right to left on the set for writing! Madhav with his award and certificate at Intel STDF 2001
With Madhav’s improvement on the traditional slate, Braille can now be both read and written left to right. He took his invention to the 2001 edition of the Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair 43 (Intel STDF). Visitors at the National Fair saw the young Jabalpur boy sitting at his stall looking vulnerable, yet happy. To quote one, “There was wonder in his eyes, but confidence too!” The confidence was well founded: he won, and was selected to represent India at the Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair* (Intel ISEF) which was held in Louisville, Kentucky, in May 2002. Participants at Intel ISEF were asked to write about why they would like a minor planet named after them. The best of these efforts were accorded a special honour: the Lincoln Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology would name a minor planet after them! “My father has always been an inspiration for me in every phase of my life. He has always been a backbone for my success, has shown keen interest in what I do and has always motivated me Madhav’s proud father to come up with new ideas.”
Among the winners was Madhav. Some sharing new ideas. He made many of writing Braille, as well as Madhav’s months later, he received the certificate good friends there, the experience has new type of stylus, while providing that officially declared that he now had furnished “some of the best memories” more space to read and write. He is now a namesake in the sky: (12509) Pathak. of his life. waiting for the Indian government to 44 Even today, Madhav feels “on top of Since 2002, it’s been an interesting start its manufacture on a large scale, the world.” He avers, “This was my first journey for Madhav. His invention as it has agreed to do. thought when I got felicitated at Intel won the first Council of Scientific and Two years later, when he was in Class 12, ISEF 2002. It boosted my confidence Industrial Research (CSIR) Diamond Madhav also invented a simple, cost- Jubilee Award in 2002, and a host of and encouraged me to move ahead in effective device to prevent soiling of international prizes. This included the life.” About the impact that Intel ISEF railway tracks near the platform. had on him, he says, “Being an Intel ISEF World Intellectual Property Organisation winner, you get tremendous exposure (WIPO) award for the Outstanding With this project, he represented India and learn a lot within a short span of Student Inventor of India in 2003. at the Japan International Science and Educational Fair held in Tokyo in 2004, time. Intel ISEF is a platform not only CSIR also supported Madhav by which was organised by the Japan for nurturing talent in the scientific applying for a patent in his name, and field, but also one where personality assisted him in improving upon his Institute of Invention and Innovation. is developed. It was my first exposure project at their laboratory at the Central This device could save water and to the competitive world, and had a Scientific Instruments Organisation electricity that was wasted in cleaning huge impact upon me.” His memorable in Chandigarh. The new prototype the tracks near platforms, and has been moments include interacting with he developed there was an improved appreciated by Indian Railways. It also innumerable international students, pocket sized, handy version that won him the Fourth prize in the Second learning about their cultures, and supported both the conventional way CSIR School Invention Awards in 2004. “Enjoy science. Once you start enjoying the field of science, you will end up doing miracles with excellent results.”
The patents for both his inventions are under process, but once Madhav started his college education, he has not found the time to pursue these further. However, he kept on gaining momentum in the 45 field of science. While he was doing his BS in Engineering, Electronics and what I do, and has always motivated me Communication from the Hitkarini College to come up with new ideas.” of Engineering and Technology, Jabalpur, After he graduated from HCET in June he became a National Engineering Stream 2010, Madhav joined the University Scholar under the Kishore Vaigyanik of Central Florida in Orlando, where Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) from 2006 to he is currently doing his Masters in 2010, which opened up a path for him Electrical Engineering. in research. Madhav (extreme right) with his friends Madhav loves to explore new places, Behind Madhav’s success has been and to sit down with a good book. He given his passion for research, he is his father. A surgeon by profession, he also likes to strum on his guitar. prepared for the challenge. always discussed facts and challenges in science with the young Madhav. “He In the future, Madhav would like to He would like young students to share has always been an inspiration for me “start a semiconductor company”. He his passion: “Enjoy science. Once you in every phase of my life,” says Madhav. is aware that it would need both a start enjoying the field of science, “He has always been a backbone for research background and immense you will end up doing miracles with my success, has shown keen interest in talent to succeed in his dream, but, excellent results.” 46 The Journey Is The Reward Bhushan Prakash Mahadik 2003
Fr Agnel Junior College Back in 2003, when he worked on his the brightness of flame would change Navi Mumbai project on the synthesis of carbon if the fuel changed. So he started Maharashtra nanotubes (CNTs), as a Class 11student experimenting at home, burning lamps at Fr Agnel Junior College in Navi Mumbai, with different types of oils, derived out little did Bhushan Mahadik foresee of til, coconut, mustard, linseed, and 47 where his efforts would take him. some others. Carbon Nanotubes (CNT)—A New Bhushan was always enthusiastic about But Bhushan found that he could not Frontier in Nanotechnology: Their Production from Vegetable Oils participating in the science competitions measure their luminosity. So he tried and Studying Their Applications held at the Nehru Science Centre or studying the soot produced instead, the Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai. He and started research on the Internet Chemistry was unsuccessful in his first attempt on the analysis of oils and their soot. to participate in the Intel® International He then explored information about Recognition at Intel ISEF Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) the C60 molecule of carbon, buckyballs, Minor Planet: (17095) Mahadik when he was in Class 10. But that did and, finally, carbon nanotubes (CNT). Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 not deter him from trying again the CNTs are produced by burning fossil Individual Category next year. fuels. Bhushan thought of producing them by burning vegetable oils. This DuPont’s Center for Collaborative Research The first big challenge was to find a was the genesis of his project idea. and Education, Office of Education Primary unique topic to research into. One day, Award of USD 1, 000 – National Aeronautics Bhushan noticed that the flame of a Getting his project ready for Intel ISEF & Space Administration lamp was unusually bright. When he was a great challenge for Bhushan, Honourable Mention Award – American learnt from his mother that she had as his chosen topic was very complex. Chemical Society used pure ghee, he wondered whether Bhushan contacted Prof Maheshwar “Intel ISEF was a fantastic learning experience. I saw plenty of amazing projects from students from all over the world. I think it’s an experience every student should aim for. Even if you don’t reach the end, the journey in itself will be worth it all!”
Sharon of the Chemical Engineering what better learning experience could Department at the Indian Institute of there be for a young science enthusiast! Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay), and Says Bhushan, “You can imagine the sought his guidance. sense of amazement a Class 11 kid would have while talking to a Nobel 48 “Doing the project was a lot of hard Laureate! He probably came to my booth work, and took a lot of my time from because it had ‘Carbon Nanotubes’ school. Travelling from Navi Mumbai to written on it. We talked science for a bit. the lab at IIT Bombay at Powai almost He was extremely kind, and a very down everyday was quite exhausting. However, to earth person, and actually quite it got me interested in research, and the appreciative of my work. That was the experience certainly developed me as best part!” an individual.” The preparation for Intel ISEF was itself a great inspiration to “Intel ISEF was a fantastic learning Bhushan, as he learnt how to engage experience,” Bhushan goes on to say. in science related research. “I saw plenty of amazing projects from students from all over the world. I think At Intel ISEF itself, he had a particularly it’s an experience every student should unforgettable moment: among the aim for. Even if you don’t reach the end, visitors at his stall was Robert F Curl, Jr, the journey in itself will be worth it all!” who had been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996—for the same After finishing from Fr Agnel College subject that Bhushan himself had in 2004, Bhushan went on to graduate researched! They had a long interaction— in chemical engineering from the “It is a cause for great happiness in our lives that our only child has a place in space permanently. The recognition given by Lincoln Laboratory should encourage youngsters in India to study space sciences and technology. With the experience at Intel ISEF, a motivated and mature Bhushan got the courage to follow his dreams.” Prakash Mahadik, Bhushan’s father
University of California at Berkeley, with motivated and mature Bhushan got the a double major in material science. courage to follow his dreams.” It was during his first year there that “I believe the biggest contributors Bhushan learnt that he now had a minor to my success are my father and planet named after him. “It was obviously Dr Maheshwar Sharon, my mentor,” 49 a very big surprise—and for the most acknowledges Bhushan. “My father has part I didn’t even know what reaction constantly backed me up for every project, I should have. It took a while for the joy and supported me throughout. He has to sink in! There was part disbelief, been the one who has encouraged me Bhushan with a visitor at his stall part happiness, and part amazement. to participate in such competitions. at Intel STDF 2002 My friends and family were happy for me, Similarly, without Dr Sharon, I would not and my parents were definitely proud have been able to complete this project selected by the Indian Space Research of me.” at all. His guidance has been critical Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to my success.” He continues to be in His father, Prakash Mahadik, says, “It (NASA) to participate in the “Red Rover contact with the now-retired professor, is a cause for great happiness in our Goes to Mars” program. Apart from and meets him whenever he comes lives that our only child has a place in being trained to operate the Martian to Mumbai. space permanently. The recognition Rover in a simulated environment at given by the Lincoln Laboratory should Having a minor planet named after him NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in encourage youngsters in India to is not the only extra-terrestrial real estate Pasadena, Bhushan was allotted an study space sciences and technology. that Bhushan can lay claim to. In 2002, acre of land on the Red Planet by the With the experience at Intel ISEF, a when he was in Class 9, Bhushan was Mars Society! In 2002, when he was in Class 9, Bhushan was selected by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to participate in the “Red Rover Goes to Mars” program, and was allotted an acre of land on the Red Planet by the Mars Society!
Today, Bhushan is doing his PhD in is still in its nascent stage, but break- Chemical and Bio Molecular Engineering throughs in this field have made a at the University of Illinois in Urbana- significant impact upon human life and Champaign. He says, “I am working on health. Even in the future, I will always 50 tissue engineering and regeneration, do something that I really love, the way and would like to continue working in I have always done so far, be it research this field. I hope to direct my efforts or anything else!” towards more clinically feasible applications of tissue engineering.” Bhushan expects to complete his doctorate in 2013.
Bhushan reads “a lot!” He is currently on a science fiction/fantasy spree, but his reading also includes works of satire and philosophy, among others.
Having found his passion, Bhushan says, “I am quite happy being in the field I am currently in (tissue engineering), and I find myself veering towards the bio- medical field, as I believe it has great potential in the coming years. The science Seizing The Opportunity Senthalir P 2003
Avila Convent Matriculation Higher Secondary School Coimbatore Tamil Nadu
51
Suppression of Branches in Eucalyptus Trees
Botany
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Minor Planet: (17091) Senthalir
Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 Team Category
Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond – AVASC Foundation “My win did not end with me,” says Senthalir. Over the next few years, she transferred her Intel ISEF experience and inspired students, not only in her own school but also in other schools, to participate in various science fairs conducted across the country. She had become an evangelist for science!
Senthalir and Sharanya at Intel ISEF 2003: at their stall (top), and with other participants (left)
She was a shy girl from Coimbatore, quiet the miracle happened! In her own words, It was a matter of great honour and pride and reserved, and scared of speaking in “I metamorphosed into a confident to receive the award in the presence of public. So when 16-year-old Senthalir young scientist!” Gone was her shyness notable scientists.” was told that she and her team mate as her awareness about the scientific What’s more, “my win did not end with and childhood friend, Sharanya—both world grew by leaps and bounds, and a 52 me,” says Senthalir. Over the next few of them students at the Avila Convent new world opened up in front of her. years, Senthalir transferred her Intel Matriculation Higher Secondary School— Winning a team prize in Botany at ISEF experience and inspired students, had been selected to represent India Intel ISEF 2003 was a memorable not only in her own school but also at the Intel® International Science and experience for Senthalir. But what she in other schools in Coimbatore, to Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in 2003, learnt at the Fair went far beyond the participate in various science fairs her boundless joy was tempered with duration of the event. Being one of quite a bit of apprehension. In the weeks conducted across the country. She had the finalists and representing India in before they left for Cleveland, Ohio, she become an evangelist for science! an international arena was thrilling all worked to convince herself that she would right, but it also put pressure on her to Daughter of an agricultural scientist, focus on her project, and shed all her perform “up to the mark”. She says, “I Senthalir was always passionate about unnecessary fears. She knew she had to was on cloud nine when we bagged botany. Her interest in science was express herself clearly and effectively, the Grand Award Fourth Prize under nurtured by her father, Dr M Paramathma, and present her work passionately, so the Team Category, and a Special a research scientist and Director of that she could realise her dreams. Second Prize in Botany. It was so Research at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Then the day arrived, and she had to overwhelming—our hard work for over University, Coimbatore. He was not only present her project to the judges and a year had finally reaped beautiful fruits her research guide but also her role model, participants in Cleveland. That’s when that we could carry back home with us. and has played a huge part in moulding The teammates working on their project (right); and with their guide, Prof Chitra Natarajan (first from left in the picture on far right)
her into what she is today. An unintended The two girls decided to find a way ten very useful days with their guide, benefit of working on her project with to curb the growth of the branches Dr Chitra Natarajan. her father was that Senthalir found the themselves—and thus was born the The entire journey culminating in Intel answer to something she had always idea for their project. When they ISEF had a tremendous impact on wondered about… why he was so discussed this with Dr Paramathma, Senthalir, as she learnt many things— 53 engrossed in the world of science! he added another perspective to the art of communication and the the problem, and made them expand The inspiration for her project came science of researching, to name the scope of their research to find a right from the apartment block she two—that helped her transform from solution that would be cost effective. Dr M Paramathma, lived in. When she and Sharanya were a student into an ardent researcher. Senthalir’s father and That solution was neem oil. mentor searching for a project idea that would Their project also gave them another solve some issue commonly faced Their well-researched project came life changing opportunity: meeting the by the public, she noticed that the out on top at the Intel Science Talent then President of India, Dr A P J Abdul eucalyptus trees that were planted Discovery Fair (Intel STDF). Scientists Kalam, a scientist himself, and explaining along the sides of her apartment block present at the National Fair gave the project to him. them suggestions on how they could had become a nuisance. take their project to the next phase Senthalir was in her second year at college These trees grow profusely even if just by identifying the chemicals in neem when she learnt that minor planets had a year old, causing inconvenience to oil that made it work. Before they left been named after Sharanya and herself— passing vehicles and residents alike. The for Intel ISEF, they trained at the Homi ((17091) Senthalir and (17092) Sharanya. maintenance team had to continuously Bhabha Centre for Science Education The icing on the cake was that she prune the branches, spending many at the Tata Institute of Fundamental received the news on her birthday! man hours in this unproductive activity. Research, Mumbai, where they spent She says, “I got the best birthday 54 Memorable moments: with Dr Dudley Herschbach, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, at Intel ISEF (right); with Dr A P J Abdul Kalam on their return to India (far right); and with other winners at Intel ISEF (below right)
present!” She recalls that “it was the matter what path her future career start of a year filled with happiness.” took, she would continue to be involved Ecstatic as she was, Senthalir says that in research. the honour also made her “aware that Senthalir has graduated in Information I had a responsibility to never leave my Technology, and has a Masters degree 55 passion for botany behind.” in Management and Information Systems Among Senthalir’s fondest memories from Manchester Business School, UK. of Intel ISEF is meeting astronauts who She is currently working as a Business had worked with Kalpana Chawla. She Analyst in Information Technology the stage shewas at when she began realised that the world today has great and Organisation Management in an her eventful journey a decade back, it expectations of Indians. IT company in Chennai. She wants to is this: “Whatever path you decide to stabilise her career in the management stride upon, put your heart and soul Meeting Nobel laureates, astronauts, stream and become a freelancer, but, into every step you take, as every and others with science running in down the line, she wants to get back great goal requires great passion and their blood was a fantastic motivating to botany. She explains: “Even though I dedication. Always stay updated, and experience. It kindled her passion, and have switched subjects, botany remains seize every opportunity.” caused her to ask herself every now my first love, and I have plans of reworking and then, “What have I contributed Senthalir is an ardent numismatist, loves on my project once I have stabilised in to science so far?” Meeting these to read books, involves herself with my career and can follow my passion luminaries made her realise the dedication gardening, and enjoys travelling and with all my heart.” and the strong commitment that one exploring places. “All these add variety has to possess in order to pursue and If there is one lesson that she would to my life, and prevent it from becoming excel in research. She decided that no like to share with students who are at banal,” she says. The Joy of Discovery 2003 Sharanya S
Avila Convent Matriculation In spite of all the hard work that young had to encourage many young people Higher Secondary School Sharanya, along with her best friend to follow their passion for science.” Coimbatore Senthalir, had put into their Team Tamil Nadu Speaking of her Intel ISEF experience, Project, Suppression of Branches in Sharanya says, “It was an excellent 56 Eucalyptus Trees, and her confidence exposure to the world of science, and in the quality of their research, she was the best of opportunities to showcase still floored when their names were our work. It was a unique experience to called out at the Awards Ceremony hear from the best scientists and Nobel of the Intel® International Science laureates about their motivations and and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in their passion for research, and how they Cleveland, Ohio—not once, but twice! enjoy the process of experimentation They won the Grand Award Fourth Prize and discovery.” That year, Kalpana Suppression of Branches in of USD 500 and a prize in Botany that Eucalyptus Trees Chawla, an Indian-American astronaut got them US Savings Bonds worth with NASA, was one of seven crew Botany USD 500 from the AVASC Foundation. members killed in the Columbia space shuttle disaster. When some NASA Recognition at Intel ISEF Says Sharanya, “It was the most surprising and thrilling moment of my astronauts met them at the Fair and Minor Planet: (17092) Sharanya learnt that they were from India, they life when we were invited on a dais spoke highly about Kalpana Chawla and Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 with so many distinguished scientists. her spirit of exploration. Team Category It was the greatest reward for our Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond passionate work. When I came home, “The entire experience honed our – AVASC Foundation I felt more responsible in that I felt I now communication skills and exploring 57 “This also created an opportunity for us to meet our President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, with whom we were able to share our passion. He quickly grasped our research idea and encouraged us to work on science.”
and mentor—who helped hem translate their idea into field experiments by patterns,” Sharanya continues. “The arena planet, (17092) Sharanya, was named identifying apt scientific methods to was proliferating with innovative ideas. after her, and another after Senthalir. verify their hypothesis that neem oil, 58 I could walk up to any stall and talk to “I could not believe my eyes,” recalls widely used as a pesticide, would help them about how they worked on the Sharanya. “It was the greatest recognition to control the growth of unwanted idea that motivated them.” for our work. Our parents were very proud branches when used in the right concentrations. He introduced them to of us. There were many interviews, One of her most memorable moments experimental procedures like applying more recognition from our school, and was when she met Dr Dudley Herschbach, different concentrations of neem oil to we became quite famous through the the 1986 Nobel laureate in Chemistry. varied sets of eucalyptus plants, and newspapers and the radio. After listening to their hypothesis and analysing the effects by measuring the the way they had conducted their “This also created an opportunity for branching percentage, which helped experiments, he shared with them us to meet our President, Dr A P J Abdul them arrive at their conclusion that the his spirit of science, saying, “It is not Kalam, with whom we were able to magnitude of suppression of branches important to get the right answer, share our passion. He quickly grasped was proportional to the concentration but to be passionate about exploring our research idea and encouraged us to of neem oil that was used. a problem and to wallow in the joy of work on science.” Sharanya feels that using eco-friendly continuous discovery.” Sharanya was always confident that neem oil for their experiments, on The glory did not end in Cleveland. Two her passion would take her far, but she Dr Paramathma’s recommendation, was years after this momentous event, she adds that it was Senthalir’s father, a great way to preserve the environment received a communication that a minor Dr M Paramathma—their research guide and protect the trees from pests. Sharanya feels that using eco-friendly neem oil for their experiments, on Dr Paramathma’s recommendation, was a great way to preserve the environment and protect the trees from pests.
The two friends won the National Award supported us through to the final when the results of their hypothesis presentation.” were presented at the National Fair of While Dr Paramathma inspired her on the Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair her award winning project, science, (Intel STDF) in Bangalore in 2002. This especially biology, was not new to 59 propelled them to conduct further Sharanya. Her father, an agriculturalist, experiments. Workshops at the Homi and her mother, a doctor, played a Bhabha Centre for Science Education significant role in inspiring her towards at the Tata Institute of Fundamental her success in the field. She recalls her Research in Mumbai were extremely father conversing at home about the useful. Dr Chitra Natarajan, Professor botanical names of trees around them. and Dean of the Faculty of Science Her younger brother, too, gave her a lot Education at the institute, helped them of moral support hone their presentation skills, and Sharanya, a B Tech graduate from focused their attention on exploring Coimbatore Institute of Technology, is scientific reasoning to discover presently working with Thoughtworks, different possibilities to further a software consultancy firm that is a research into. pioneer in custom software development. Sharanya recalls: “Their team, especially Based in Chennai, she is fascinated Ms Anupama Ronad, encouraged us with the IT space, but does not rule to spend more time on our next series out pursuing her interest in biology of experiments with azadirachtin, and sometime in the future. All I Need Are Wings 2004 Amruth B R
Sadvidya Composite Pre University College Mysore Karnataka
60
Mechanical Wave Modulation and Its Applications
Physics
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 Individual Category
Honourable Mention Award for International Students – National Aeronautics & Space Administration “I think the subjective feeling of ‘risk’ that is associated with non-mainstream careers was completely eliminated because of my Intel ISEF experience–which I think is the biggest value add I got from the Fair.”
Sharing a word with Dr Craig R Barrett at Intel ISEF 2004
When the tsunami devastated Indian he was in Class 8, and bagged the State At Intel ISEF 2004, Amruth’s project, shores in December 2004, Amruth B R award for science in the year 2000. Mechanical Wave Modulation and Its must have felt a strange sense of déjà vu. It was his high school physics teacher, Applications, won him a Grand Award. Only seven months earlier, this young Mr G R Manjunath, who catalysed It had its genesis in a documentary he saw boy from Mysore had wowed the judges his interest in the world of scientific on Discovery Channel, which showed how 61 at the Intel® International Science and experiments, and he was a great an ambitious Japanese construction Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Oregon, inspiration to Amruth. “But over the project had been affected by a tsunami. USA, with his solution for reducing years,” says Amruth, “I must admit that Participating at Intel ISEF helped to define the impact of giant tsunami waves on it is my parents who have been my Amruth’s aspirations to a great extent. a major construction project along the biggest source of inspiration. I never Japanese coastline. He showed how He always loved creating new things, realised throughout my early life that an effective shock absorbing system but the recognition at the international I was privy to experiences that starkly can decrease the impact of waves by level gave him the confidence to pursue contradict what society tells parents modulating amplitudes. his goals on a grander scale. “I think to ask of their children. I think that high the subjective feeling of ‘risk’ that Right from an early age, Amruth was level of freedom to question things is associated with non-mainstream intrigued by science, especially physics. around me and make my own decisions careers was completely eliminated His parents, both of whom are science about my life shaped the better part of because of my Intel ISEF experience— graduates, have played a very vital role my personality.” On the same note, he which I think is the biggest value add I in nurturing his inquisitive interest in empathises with kids who have to bear got from the Fair,” he says. unveiling the mysteries of science. the burden of expectations of their A brilliant student, Amruth had worked parents. He feels parents tend to under- After Intel ISEF, he explored options on Properties of Eddy Currents when estimate what their children can do. of building shock absorbers that can “I never realised throughout my early life that I was privy to experiences that starkly contradict what society tells parents to ask of their children. I think that high level of freedom to question things around me and make my own decisions about my life shaped the better part of my personality.”
During his graduate years, Amruth spent a significant amount of time in research institutions across India through various scholarships that he earned. He was 62 now working on areas like Inflationary Cosmology, Quantum Chromodynamics, Game Theory and the Neuroscience of Decision Making, Evolutionary Biology, and Near Field Electromagnetic Wave Propagation. Though very diverse, these subjects broadened his horizon significantly, and gave rise to new interdisciplinary interests.
be implemented in the real world, as of Technology and Science, Pilani, in a “One such interest—in modeling and predicting human behaviour—captured opposed to the lab conditions in which four year integrated Masters program. my fascination by the time I came to he had run his tests. But as he was still Here, in collaboration with his Physics my final year,” says Amruth. I worked a student, he came across many hurdles professor, Dr Souri Banerjee, he wrote a with some of my peers and professors in pursuing real world implementation, paper on the topic of his Intel ISEF project. from different institutions to create and his enthusiasm flagged. That apart, his project had by now been a framework for behavioural profiling After his Class 12, Amruth pursued his shelved for all practical purposes, as and simulation by using interactive passion for physics at the Birla Institute new areas of research attracted him. neuropsychology based activities. Amruth’s company, Vita Beans, currently helps companies and organisations create and adopt innovative technology solutions for learning and assessments.
The idea became a prototype. We tested make decisions just like the human brain of group level behaviours among the prototype and got very good results. does—not just by considering economic populations. So it evolved into a product, and, and tangible criteria involved in decision Amruth, along with his team, has recently eventually, into the company I started making, but also the evolutionary, cofounded the National Association of while still in college.” emotional and psychological elements Simulations and Serious Games (NASSG), 63 involved. Vita Beans currently helps During his Pilani years, Amruth was which seeks to create awareness and organisations create and adopt innovative part of the Centre for Entrepreneurial promote research and use of Simulations technology solutions for learning and Leadership (CEL) on campus, and went and Serious Games in India. on to head the Centre as its President. assessments. Over the last three years, This exposed him to the business side his company has worked on integrating Talking to Amruth, it is tough not to of things that he previously had no several key principles from neuro- be affected by his highly contagious experience of. His experiences at CEL behavioural science and interaction energy and optimism, and his interest influenced him as much as his research design to build over 100 interactive in fuzzy logic and neuroscience. Every interests in shaping his subsequent applications on the Web, for mobile time he talks about his company and steps. So, instead of pursuing a PhD, devices and for the desktop. his plans for the future, you can see the sparkle in his eyes. “One little dream is he co-founded a company, Vita Beans, Keen on constantly innovating, he has all it takes,” he says, “to make a believer of which he is today, at 25, the Chief also added a wide range of interesting Executive Officer. out of you.” solutions to his company’s portfolio: Amruth explains that Vita Beans (www. game based learning applications, He continues, “Personally, what I vitabeans.com) started out purely as animated story telling, virtual classroom value the most about the Intel ISEF an intellectual endeavour to build an solutions, behavioural assessments for experience is the level of confidence Artificial Intelligence agent that can career guidance, and the simulation and motivation it gave me. As for my career, Intel ISEF gave me the confidence that I can do whatever I put my mind to, to the best of my ability.” Amruth remembers discussing with his 64 fellow Intel ISEF participants about how they felt about being a part of the “Olympics of science fairs.” They were unanimous that the scale of participation, the level of exposure, the opportunities to shape up how you define yourself artificial intelligence over the last three they got to mingle with students in life. All of us define ourselves by years. We’ve built up some strong links from other countries—everything was on choosing stories from our lives and Intel with research and industry communities a much grander scale than they ISEF gave me a sudden abundance of in this space, and these are throwing up had imagined. stories to choose from!” exciting opportunities that we are keen “I think more than anything else, the Overall, Amruth feels that Intel ISEF has to explore in the next 2-3 years. I hope experience of Intel ISEF gives you contributed in more ways than one to to be able to build and launch these ideas confidence in exploring exciting his success in terms of the confidence into successful products in the market possibilities. And, at the same time,” and the penchant for success he gained on a global scale”. he continues (and you can almost see from his participation at the Fair. him put his behavioural science hat on!), Education is another field that draws “it also gives you enough stories—both As far as his aspirations go, the sky is Amruth. He feels fortunate enough to heard from others, as well as those that the limit. He says, “I’ve been working on have had unconventional experiences you can claim as your own—that grow a few ideas in behavioural science and throughout his own education, and, in “Keep exploring until you find something that makes your heart beat faster every time you think about it. If you find it, then stick to it until you are the best, or at least one of the best, in that field. Opportunities then will naturally flow your way.”
hindsight, he thinks there are many His advice to young students interested things that can be done to make our in science and technology? “Keep education system better, more flexible, exploring until you find something that diverse, and, most importantly, something makes your heart beat faster every time that can scale easily to address the you think about it. If you find it, then 65 challenges that we, as a nation, are stick to it until you are the best, or facing today. His interest in human at least one of the best, in that field. behaviour blends in naturally with this Opportunities then will naturally flow interest in understanding how people your way.” learn and evolve their knowledge, skills On a lighter note, Amruth says, “I spend and abilities, so he expects to make a more time on my hobbies than in my significant contribution in changing the professional pursuits. I love travelling! educational landscape of our country. I also like biking, playing the guitar, writing “But then again,” he says, “I’ve always short stories and building computer seen research as a way of approaching games. I also love reading fiction, life to understand everything around us watching movies… in short I engage in in a more holistic way than what we anything that drives my imagination.” would otherwise perceive the world to be. So I don’t expect to be bound by any definitions of subjects or topics or fields that currently interest me,” says Amruth, with wisdom admirable in one so young. 66 A Winner From Every Angle Sameer Yeleswarapu 2004
St Francis de Sales High School When Sameer Yeleswarapu was in immediately understood the novelty of Secunderabad Class 7, his father once asked him to the question. He encouraged Sameer to Andhra Pradesh practice geometry for an upcoming probe further. term exam. But Sameer felt he was A couple of years later, Sameer, who was already thorough with the syllabus, now in Class 9, came across the poster 67 and didn’t want to do it all over again. of the Intel Science Talent Discovery So his active mind started questioning Fair (Intel STDF). Keen to take part, he the basic triangle property that states revisited his Class 7 notebooks, and that “the sum of two sides of any developed his hypothesis further. triangle is greater than the third side”. At the National Fair, Sameer was among Till then, he had always accepted this the eight winners selected to represent property unquestioningly; but that day India at the Intel® International Science was different. He asked himself the and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) that question: “By how much is the sum of was to be held in May 2004 in Portland, two sides greater than the third side?” Oregon. At Intel ISEF, Sameer’s An Interesting Property in Triangles When his father, Dr Yoganandam, returned Mathematics project, An Interesting Mathematics home from work and saw Sameer Property in Triangles, won an Honourable Mention Award Certificate from the drawing lots and lots of triangles, he was National Aeronautics and Space Recognition at Intel ISEF puzzled. Sameer explained to his dad Administration (NASA). Honourable Mention Award for the question he was trying to resolve. A International Students – National PhD in Signal Processing, his father had Sameer says, “Winning the NASA award Aeronautics & Space Administration a strong mathematical background, and at Intel ISEF was a huge moment in my His most memorable moment at the fair was a two minute chat with Dr Dudley Herschbach, a Nobel laureate in Chemistry, who visited his booth and appreciated his work and its novelty.
A proud Sameer acknowledged by NASA (left top and bottom); with judges at Intel STDF (right)
hours with his son, weekdays and His most memorable moment at the weekends, trying to find mathematical Fair was, he recalls, a two minute chat proofs for the observations. His mother with Dr Dudley Herschbach, a Nobel and sister also had roles to play, in laureate in Chemistry, who visited his 68 different ways. “From my childhood,” booth and appreciated his work and its says Sameer, “my mother, Aparna, always novelty. Another visitor at his stall told taught me different things—and also him, “I thought basic mathematics was taught me things differently.” His sister, over 200 years ago. It’s good to see Shefali, was a very good and patient that you found something new in it!” life. Even to this day, I keep recollecting listener as he practised his presentations the few moments before the announce- His journey since Intel ISEF has taken for Intel ISEF. ment of the award, and the shock I was him down a path quite removed from in when I heard my name being called on Looking back, Sameer says: “Being the properties of right angle triangles. the stage. My success at Intel ISEF was a selected for Intel ISEF and winning the After his Class 12 board exams, in which very emotional and memorable moment NASA award for my work made a huge he stood second in his college, he joined for me and my family.” impact in my life. It encouraged the the B Pharm (Hons) course at the Birla creativity and inquisitiveness in me. It Institute of Technology and Science, Dr Yoganandam, who has unstintingly also increased my self-confidence. It Pilani (BITS Pilani). While he was there, supported Sameer’s efforts, right from changed the way I see things around me.” he did a summer internship with a the initial idea, has been a great source company called Butterfly Fields during of inspiration to his son. As the mentor Participating at the Fair was an his vacations. The company focuses on for the project that Sameer submitted overwhelming experience for him. It left introducing a hands-on approach into for the National Fair, he spent long him with so many memories and also the Indian school education system. opened up a lot of new opportunities. “If you encourage your child’s inquisitiveness and curiosity, then the child will excel in whatever field he or she chooses.”
on fundamentals in mathematics and sciences, as well as my work experience in the education sector, where I regularly Sameer explains a math They develop activities and scientific interact with K-12 children and develop concept to a student in scientific toys, will be of great help in 69 his workshop (above); at toys for K-10 students. The students Intel STDF (above right); learn basics in math and science while achieving my dream.” and at Intel ISEF (far right) making toys, and apply the concepts Sameer has not left his Intel ISEF learnt while playing with them. Sameer project fully behind. In his free time, designed quite a few scientific toys and he continues to probe into the various give concrete shape to his imagination. teaching aids during his internship there. open ends in his work, and is trying to Here, he makes new products like pen stands and pieces of geometric art. He He was so taken up with the work he apply it to real world problems. also designs 3D models of furniture did during his internship that he joined Asked what he would like to tell on his computer. On some nights, he Butterfly Fields when he graduated children who would like to follow in his observes the night sky with a telescope from BITS Pilani. He is currently working footsteps, Sameer chooses to advise that his sister brought back for him from there as a Research Associate in the their parents instead: “If you encourage Spain. Now he also plans to make a solar R&D Department. your child’s inquisitiveness and curiosity, cooker for his mother. Full of a passion for research and a quest then the child will excel in whatever field he or she chooses.” With such varied interests, each one for the unknown, Sameer’s future plans pursued with amazing zeal, Sameer is sure are clear. He says, “I am interested in the With a workshop of his own in the to carve out a notable future for himself. field of product design. I want to become basement of his house, Sameer has the a toy designer. I think my strong hold power tools and other equipment to 70 Living For Research Zeeshan Ali Sayyed 2004
Shreerang Vidyalaya When Zeeshan Sayyed won the Grand project, the area of seed dressing Thane Award Second Prize at Intel ISEF 2004 caught his attention. It struck him Maharashtra in Oregon, USA, he was only 14 years that though this is a powerful method old. And when he learnt that he and of food protection, it has significant his teammate, Vrishikumar Patil, would problems attached to it: its cost, and 71 have minor planets named after them, the fact that it is very hazardous to the he was “simply overwhelmed”—the environment. young boy did not even know that such So Zeeshan and Vrishi decided that a thing was possible! they would focus on better and cheaper In fact, Zeeshan was not even aware of ways of seed dressing. In their project, the Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair To Study the Effect of Biological Seed (Intel STDF) till he and Vrishi were given Dressing on the Growth and Yield of a wild card entry into it, on the basis Crops, the two of them challenged the To Study the Effect of Biological of their performance in the state level conventional way of chemical seed Seed Dressing on the Growth and Yield of Crops competition of the National Children’s dressing of protecting crops from Science Congress (NCSC). He had been pests. Their sole aim was to produce Biochemistry a regular participant in NCSC since he treatments that would not only be was in Class 7. When he was in Class nearly as effective as the conventional Recognition at Intel ISEF 9, he had to do a project on food and method, but also be completely eco- Minor Planet: (20616) Zeeshansayed agriculture. When he surfed the Net friendly and inexpensive. Their quest Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 to find a suitable topic which had the was successful—their biological seed Team Category potential to be developed into a good treatment was better than the seed “Life is no more studying well, getting into a good institute, then getting into a good company, and earning big money. For me, life is about researching and innovating.”
many other eminent people from the world of science during his visits to dressings available in the market, and the various levels of the NCSC—at at a cost that was at most 1/10th to the taluka, district, state and national 1/15th of the chemical alternatives levels—and their motivational speeches 72 available at that time. helped him strengthen his resolve of Zeeshan says, “This project definitely becoming a scientist. has a lot of scope for development. When he represented India at Intel ISEF What we have done is tested our 2004, his convictions were further treatments in the field only on certain reinforced. Seeing the quality of the crops. Its wide scale production is yet to projects at the Fair was a learning be considered, and it has to be tested in experience in itself. Meeting with the field by farmers themselves.” scientists from all parts of the world in Thane! All the press conferences made Zeeshan with his him feel that he had indeed achieved teammates and other Prior to Intel ISEF, Zeeshan had had the and interacting with Nobel laureates participants (above, and good fortune of meeting with the then gave him a new perspective, and something. The Corporator of his area left top and bottom) President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, he became even clearer in his mind knew him personally, the Mayor of Thane called on him, and MLAs visited him. as a finalist at the NCSC. This encounter that he wanted to pursue a career in influenced him so deeply that he decided scientific research. The fanfare apart, the entire experience that he wanted to become a scientist Post Intel ISEF and his team’s success of just being there at Intel ISEF changed like Dr Kalam, even though his parents there, life changed for Zeeshan. The him completely. He says, “It deepened had set their hearts on his becoming recognition which he got amazed him— my resolve of becoming a scientist a doctor. Apart from Dr Kalam, he met he was suddenly a small time celebrity forever. I can’t think of being anything Since his childhood, he has been interested in “techie stuff”. His father inspired him to excel in whatever he did, and was a figure whom Zeeshan could always look up to. In young Zeeshan’s eyes, he was the epitome of perfection.
else now. It was like this big moment in school management. We are grateful my life, which changed the way I looked that we had him to guide us.” His at life. Life is no more studying well, principal, Mrs Rupa Dey, too, was a getting into a good institute, then getting very important motivating factor. She into a good company, and earning big supported them when they wanted to 73 money. For me, life is about researching use the school lab—even, at times, late and innovating. Also, I have found this into the night! When they were leaving passion for teaching within me.” for the Intel STDF National Fair, she told them, “You just have to go to the Zeeshan acknowledges the role his Fair and present your project. Because, mentors played in his achievements— I know when you get back here, you the people who guided and helped will have to start preparing to go to Vrishi and him all along as they worked America. You won’t have much time on their project, with useful tips and then”. These simple words made a world suggestions. Their official mentor of difference to Zeeshan and Vrishi. was Mrs Shweta Sawant, his science teacher in school. Says Zeeshan, “She Zeeshan comes from a middle class is one of the finest persons I have ever family. His father is a civil engineer, known, and undoubtedly, she was my while mother is a teacher. Since his favourite teacher. The other person childhood, he has been interested in who helped us technically was Mr Milind “techie stuff”. His father inspired him Datar. He used to work in Bayer India to excel in whatever he did, and was and was a Committee Member in the a figure whom Zeeshan could always “Always try and think of places where you feel you can do something different, something which interests you. Then you have hit the bull’s eye and no one can stop you from winning. But the most important part is finding a place of study that will touch your heart.”
look up to. In young Zeeshan’s eyes, he pursue my PhD, which will take about Zeeshan with his was the epitome of perfection. 5-6 years, and then a post-doc which teammate, Vrishi (right) should be around 3-4 years. And then Zeeshan has just completed his B Tech in Computer Science from Fr C Rodrigues I might take up a professorship. At the 74 Institute of Technology, Navi Mumbai, in moment, I plan to return to India. But April 2012. He will now be heading to the question is, will the policies in India the US for higher studies. He will do his change? There should be more focus on, PhD in Computer Science at The School and funding for, research in our institutes.” of Informatics and Computing at Indiana His advice to the future Intel ISEF University Bloomington (IUB), where he aspirants is, “Always try and think of will specialise in artificial intelligence. places where you feel you can do He has been awarded a 95% scholarship, something different, something which as well as a comfortable stipend. Put interests you. Then you have hit the together, he feels he will have money bull’s eye and no one can stop you from to spare after meeting all his expenses, winning. But the most important part is and he plans to put the balance to use finding a place of study that will touch to meet the educational expenses of your heart.” his younger brother. Needless to say, his father is “most relieved”. His aspirations are simple. Says Zeeshan, “I want to become a scientist. Right now, I wish to go to the US, and 75 Technology Addict 2004 Vrishikumar Patil
Shreerang Vidyalaya How does a fourteen year old react who at that time was a member of the Thane when he is told that a minor planet will School Committee, to get a clear focus. Maharashtra be named after him? Vrishikumar Patil’s At the state trials, Vrishi and Zeeshan’s first reaction was: “Are you kidding me?!” aim was to ensure that they had a 76 Even today, he finds it difficult to describe fighting chance of representing their work that incredible feeling in words. He says, at the national level of the competition “Unless someone has been in our position, as well. But their story took a wonderfully understanding our state of mind might different turn when they won the state be difficult! It was inconceivable that two level competition. The judges encouraged 14 year old students would now have them to participate in Intel Science minor planets named after them. This Talent Discovery Fair (Intel STDF) made people think, ‘What remarkable held in Hyderabad in 2003. Success feat have they achieved to deserve this?’” at Intel STDF propelled them into To Study the Effect of Biological The fact that Vrishi and his team mate, the international arena, to the Intel Seed Dressing on the Growth and International Science and Engineering Yield of Crops Zeeshan Ali Sayyed, chose to study the effect of biological seed dressings on Fair (Intel ISEF). And there too, they Biochemistry crops was quite fortuitous—it was the tasted success, when they won the result of an Internet search for an apt Grand Award Second Prize of USD Recognition at Intel ISEF 1,500 in the Team Category for their topic for a state level science competition. Biochemistry project. Minor Planet: (20604) Vrishikpatil But the pair of youngsters from Thane’s Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 Shreerang Vidyalaya worked collectively “Astounding” is the word that Vrishi Team Category with their teachers and Mr Milind Datar, uses to sum up his Intel ISEF experience. 77 A diehard fan of computing, Vrishi, on his own admission has never ever read a single book in his life apart from what was required to pass exams. But he voraciously devours anything related to technology.
Vrishi (extreme left) engineering. After Intel ISEF, Vrishi went with his teammates at Intel ISEF 2004 on to complete his BE in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from K J Somaiya College of Engineering, 78 Ghatkopar, Mumbai. In his first job now, Vrishi is working at Accenture as a SAP He says, “I was a reserved person to begin inspiration to them throughout. His Functional Consultant since the latter with, but Intel ISEF gave us a platform to parents were also extremely supportive, part of 2011. display our talent to people from different to the extent that they did not put any geographical regions and continents, pressure on him to complete his school But the desire to study further still which, as kids, we had only dreamt about. assignments; rather, they encouraged burns in his heart: “I am planning to do Every second was memorable. The huge Zeeshan and him to do their best and my Masters somewhere down the line, Convention Center at Portland, Oregon; push all boundaries to achieve their in the next two or three years, though the 1,500 odd participants, the 1,200 goals. Vrishi says, “I was most inspired I haven’t yet homed in on the field of esteemed judges…” by my father. Though he never knew study as of now.” He ultimately aims to Further work on the project was stalled completely what we were doing have his own start up company. throughout the two years we did our after Intel ISEF as the two teammates Sharing his thoughts with young research, he always stood rock solid had to concentrate on their Class 10 students interested in science and behindme.” exams the following year. technology, Vrishi says, “Do things Vrishi gives credit to his teacher, Even though both his parents are which you feel like doing. The school Mrs Shweta Sawant, and his Principal, doctors, Vrishi was very clear that curriculum will go at its own pace. Mrs Rupa Dey, who were sources of he wanted to pursue a career in You need to learn to think differently. 79
A small change in perspective can open up a world of opportunities for you.” A diehard fan of computers, Vrishi, by his own admission, has never ever read a single book in his life apart from what was required to pass exams! But he voraciously devours anything related to technology, and you can find him working on some online tutorial or the other, related to just about anything about technology that he finds interesting. But when he gets the urge to get the wind in his face, he takes out his bike or goes for a spin in his father’s car. The Summer Of Hope 2005 Malavika Vinod Tiwari
St Mary’s Convent High School In the summer of 2005, Malavika Tiwari, The whole experience made me feel Kanpur a sensitive teenager keenly aware of that I have achieved something in Uttar Pradesh the plight of the physically challenged, my life that I will cherish forever, and won the Grand Award Third Prize in that only a few can do what I did. The 80 Engineering for her project, A Foot- exposure that I got at Intel ISEF was of Controlled Device and Wheel Attachment a level that I feel I could never have got, for Persons with Upper Limb Disability had I not participated at the Fair.” at the Intel® International Science and “Although I was formally selected,” she Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Phoenix, continues, “I feel really fortunate that Arizona. A vivacious, multifaceted student I came to know about the competition from St Mary’s Convent, Kanpur, she was awarded USD 1,000 in prize money and decided to participate in it in the for designing a foot-operated steering first place. The feeling that my idea got device for automotive two wheelers. universal acceptance and international recognition instilled huge confidence Asked about her feelings at being in me, and representing my country Foot Operated Vehicle Device a winner at Intel ISEF, Malavika says, for the Physically Challenged produced a sense of responsibility in me.” “It was a great and proud feeling, the Engineering biggest achievement of my life.” She The meetings she had with Nobel elaborates further, “My experiences at laureates were the most memorable Recognition at Intel ISEF Intel ISEF were life defining moments moments at Intel ISEF for her; these Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 that completely changed my personality, moments are also a source of great Individual Category and installed in me, supreme confidence. pride for her. 81 The inspiration of 16-year-old Malvika is her father Kali Vinod Tiwari, disabled by a childhood attack of polio. Not one to take things lying down, he designed India’s first auto cart for challenged people in 1980 which earned him the National Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped, a gold medal and certificate from the then President Giani Zail Singh.
16-year-old Malavika’s inspiration was her father, Kali Vinod Tiwari, disabled by a childhood attack of polio. Not one to take things lying down, he designed 82 India’s first auto cart for physically challenged people in 1980, which earned him the National Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped, a gold Malavika at Intel ISEF 2005 medal and certificate from the then President Giani Zail Singh. “My father is my mentor, tutor and inspiration,” says Malavika proudly. She adds, “His spirit to drive such long distances even though he was physically challenged proved to be the ultimate inspiration. His confidence motivated me and made me feel that the joy of driving one’s own vehicle is something that should be facilitated for everybody who wants or needs it. Moreover, my father also shared his technical knowledge, his experiences of driving, “My father and his spirit to drive such long distances even though he was physically challenged proved to be the ultimate inspiration. His confidence motivated me and made me feel that joy of driving one’s own vehicle is something that should be facilitated to everybody who wants or needs it.”
be lagging behind in my studies, she instilled so much confidence in me and eased all other tensions, so that I could concentrate on my project.” Taking about her project and how it 83 evolved, Malavika expalins: “A physically challenged person paralysed below the waist, my father could drive by transferring all leg controls to his hands. However, I always pondered how a person with no hands can drive a two wheeler. If a person is unable to drive any motorised vehicle, how Receiving an Award and the problems and issues he faced, dependent must such a person be for her innovation from which proved to be a great help.” President Dr A P J Abdul on others for his or her mobility! Kalam in December 2005, If her father was her inspiration, Seeing my father drive two wheelers A vehicle modified by on World Disabled Day Malavika Malavika says that she could not have so smoothly and effortlessly, even done without the support of her though he was physically challenged, mother, Rama, who teaches mentally inspired me to make a two wheeler for challenged children at the Army School people with upper limb disability—and in Kanpur. “Whenever I felt hassled by I was confident that I would be able academic pressures and felt that I might to make it.” The prize winning invention is an auto-gear device that, when fitted onto a scooter, enables those whose upper limbs are disabled to steer automotive scooters.
The prize winning invention, which research with 50 disabled people, who This award was presented to her by the Malavika has dedicated to the Disabled had to visualise a vehicle for themselves. President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. Club of India, is an auto-gear device “It took a six month survey, based on Today, Malavika is working as an that, when fitted onto a scooter, an unstructured questionnaire, to come Applications Developer in IBM, Hyderabad, enables those whose upper limbs are up with my invention,” she says of the 84 but is also associated with Care Invalids disabled to steer automotive scooters. apparatus, which was being used by in Kanpur, an enterprise started by “This auto-geared model has two parts: four people in Kanpur soon after her her father 25 years ago, and jointly the support and the main device. win at Intel ISEF in 2005. run by her brother. She also spreads The support comprises extra tyres on Malavika returned from Intel ISEF to awareness about the effectiveness of each side, and a back bracket to keep a rousing reception. There were showers her invention. Whenever any person the person upright while driving. The of awards and felicitations that continued with an upper limb disability contacts steering device is an attachment, which for a long time. She got letters from them to modify their vehicle, Malavika can be fitted to geared scooters. It is many physically challenged people and the Care Invalids team provide them similar to the steering mechanism of thanking her and congratulating her motor cars,” explains Malavika. for her efforts. with assistance. The idea of foot-controlled scooters Later in 2005, Malavika was presented Says Malavika, “Today, I continue came to her in Class 8, when, as a visitor the National Award for The Best to provide technical assistance to to science exhibitions and workshops, Innovation in Technology for the physically challenged people. I fabricate she was struck by the conspicuous Handicapped at a function held in New their vehicles to suit their abilities, and absence of automotive transport for Delhi on World Disabled Day, in the it gives me huge satisfaction when I those with upper limb disabilities. She Adaptability of Innovation to Provide see my invention being translated into followed this up with a with qualitative Cost Effective Technology category. reality and on the roads.” “Today, I continue to provide technical assistance to physically challenged people. I fabricate their vehicles to suit their abilities and it gives me huge satisfaction when I see my invention being translated into reality and on the roads.”
As her enterprise continues to develop her invention, Malavika plans to gradually increase awareness about it, so that more people can benefit from it. She is 85 now also looking at commercialising it, and producing it on a mass scale some time in the near future. And, ten years from now, she can see herself applying her software knowledge to further enhance her invention. Her advice to young student innovators? “Take note of what your mentors and teachers tell you. And keep faith in your ideas.” 86 Born To Lead Apurv Mishra 2006
D A V Public School At 22, Apurv Mishra is an inventor, This environment, where there was a Bhubaneshwar entrepreneur, and the youngest to have scarcity of opportunities and resources, Odisha received a fellowship from TED, the fuelled in Apurv “the need to do more”. program designed to bring together He started “tinkering around”, as he was young world changers and trailblazers always intrigued by bits and pieces of 87 who have shown unusual accomplishment broken electronic appliances, and, at and exceptional courage. a very early age, he started “thinking differently”. Here is an example of how During the last decade of his life, which he puts his innovative skills to work to has been eventful and rewarding, Apurv resolve simple problems: has more than lived up to his name (which means “unusual”). As a child, he As a child, he was often reprimanded by was the first student to be enrolled in his mother for drinking water straight Glabenator – An Advanced from the bottle. By the time he was Alternative and Augmentative a local primary school in the KBK districts a student of Class 9 in D A V Public Communication Device of Odisha, which were the undeveloped areas in the state. School, Bhubaneshwar, he decided to Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering do something about it. He noticed that Here, living conditions were difficult, drinking water from a large bottle is not Recognition at Intel ISEF tribal communities dominated the easy without touching it to your lips. Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 region, and there was a strong Maoist Balancing the bottle requires secondary Individual Category presence as well. His father, a civil support from the lips, and sharing the Second Award of USD 500 US Savings engineer, was engaged with the State bottle with friends then becomes Bond by AVASC Foundation Government’s rural development projects. unhygienic. So, he showed his ingenuity “Why shouldn’t he be able to communicate, if his brain is functioning and he can move his eyes?,” thought Apurv of his grandfather, who was struggling after he had a stroke and became mostly paralysed.
Industrial Research (CSIR) Invention Award 2004. Getting this award was a life changer for him—there was less resistance from people in his environment. 88 They were now open to his ideas, and he learnt to become more independent. This was the start of his journey as an inventor.
When he was about 14 years old, his grandfather had a stroke and became mostly paralysed. As a curious and concerned grandson, Apurv saw by cutting and attaching a piece of plastic him struggle, because he could not into a snake-hood shaped projection communicate, though he could see that could be attached to the neck of and hear. He asked himself, “Why the bottle, and which fits comfortably shouldn’t my grandfather be able to on the chin, so that it was not necessary communicate, if his brain is functioning for a person to put his or her lips to the and he can move his eyes?” bottle itself. Apurv had some money courtesy the The invention was patented, and Apurv CSIR Award, and he used that to create received the Council of Scientific & a small lab. Armed with information “I have always believed that innovation is all about making tiny and naïve changes to make a giant leap.”
International Science and Engineering changes to make a giant leap,” he says. Fair (Intel ISEF), held in Indianapolis Glabenator’s success instilled in him a in 2006. His engineering project, deep desire to make more innovative Glabenator: An Advanced Alternative tools for the disabled community, and Augmentative Communication especially in the underserved and 89 Receiving the National from the Internet, he developed a device Device, won him the Grand Award Third remote regions of India, Africa and Technology Award 2006 that detected his grandfather’s eyebrow from the then President, Prize of USD 1, 000, as well as another South America. Dr A P J Abdul Kalam movements so that he was able to award which gave him a USD 500 As a disability aids inventor with a communicate. Savings Bond. strong passion for making cutting edge That’s how Glabenator was created: He was felicitated by the Chief Minister knowledge accessible to the less a device that enables a patient who of Odisha for this feat on his return home, developed countries, he is also currently has lost the ability to move his body to and received a cheque for INR 1,00,000 working on a project, Technomics, for scroll a set menu and select standard from him on the occasion. Later the empowering the economy through lines that will be voiced through a same year, he was awarded the National open technology. He wants to recorder and a speaker. It employs the Technology Award for the Welfare of implement a dream idea: not to patent subtle movement of the forehead the Disabled by the then President of “inventions for good”, but to open up muscles to control a computer, thus India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. the blueprints—in other words, “free providing a stress free means of Apurv patented his invention in 2006, technology transfer to the bottom of communication for paralytic people. in India and in USA, and licensed it to the pyramid entrepreneurs”. This will For Apurv, now in Class 11 and 16 various companies for implementation. not only empower rural entrepreneurs, years old, it was thrilling to have “I have always believed that innovation electricians, and mechanics to make this invention selected for the Intel® is all about making tiny and naïve custom disability and healthcare aids IFF was launched at the Indianapolis Intel ISEF itself. It is a platform where ideas from all industries could come together to create new ideas. The concept of “open innovation” was born. Before the week long event was over, more than 400 Intel ISEF participants had signed up to play a part in his new scheme of things.
at much cheaper prices, it will also give Before the week long event was over, them access to active documentation more than 400 Intel ISEF participants and blueprints from the inventor that had signed up to play a part in his new will ensure standards are maintained. scheme of things. He is currently working at making the 90 IFF aims to connect young innovators blueprint of Glabenator “open”. and industry, and, today, more than An interesting fallout of his experience 3,000 freelance innovators are at Intel ISEF was that, inspired by the registered with it. The not-for-profit event, Apurv founded the Innovator organisation is creating an ecosystem Factor Foundation (IFF), a network of freelance innovators, corporations to help innovators turn promising and universities that can help inventors concepts into reality. Impressed with the foster good ideas into products with Pictures with Nobel Laureates at the brilliant young minds he encountered Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies in 2009 a convincing market value. This initiative at Stockholm, from Apurv’s collection (above, at Intel ISEF, he realised that everyone impressed Dr Craig R Barrett, the former and facing page) there had a similar vision of changing Chairman of Intel Corporation, who said, the world through innovation… and “The most interesting thing about this “something clicked”. guy was that he started a network of IFF was launched at the Indianapolis innovators right at the event.” He also Intel ISEF itself. It is a platform where credited Apurv during his keynote ideas from all industries could come address at the Consumer Electronics together to create new ideas. The Show which was held in January 2009 concept of “open innovation” was born. at Las Vegas. Palomar5 brought together 30 people under the age of 30 from 30 different disciplines and backgrounds to come up with 30 ideas or projects bringing new innovation for the betterment of society through creativity and exploration of collaborative spaces. The youngest participant at the event, Apurv conducted research to help design and build the future of innovation, technology and the working environment.
Apurv is grateful to his family and to his mentor, Dr Arnab Bhattacharya, for their unconditional support. He says, “I have a very supportive family, without whom it would have been 91 impossible for me to pursue my dream.” Dr Bhattacharya supported him during the development of his project from the IRIS National Fair, through intensive mentoring sessions held at Mumbai in January 2006, because of which he was able to successfully hone his project for Intel ISEF in May. Space Shuttle (F9/Dragon) and creating studies in Computer Science from the the world’s largest Internet payment Cambridge Judge Business School. His role models are Dean Kamen and system (PayPal). Elon Musk. Dean Kamen is a leading The year 2009 was an eventful one American scientist and inventor, whose After Class 12, Apurv went on to for Apurv. He joined the Palomar5 products include the Segway Human study Computer Science at the Indian Innovation Residency in Berlin for a six Transporter and the iBOT battery-powered Institute of Science Education and week Innovation Camp held that October wheelchair. Musk is best known for having Research (IISER) in Kolkata. After two in Berlin. Palomar5 brought together created the first viable production electric years at the institute, he transferred his 30 people under the age of 30 from car of the modern era (the Tesla Roadster), credits to the University of Cambridge, 30 different disciplines and backgrounds for designing a private successor to the where he completed his undergraduate to come up with 30 ideas or projects “This is the first time India will be represented at the Nobel Prize Ceremony on behalf of the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS). I have also been selected for the SIYSS Award and will be the first Indian to get this since the inception of SIYSS in 1976.”
Apurv at work bringing new innovation for the with the Nobel laureates, and to deliver betterment of society through creativity a talk during the Nobel Lecture. and exploration of collaborative spaces. A thrilled Apurv said at the time, “This is The youngest participant at the event, the first time India will be represented 92 Apurv conducted research to help at the Nobel Prize Ceremony on behalf design and build the future of innovation, of the Stockholm International Youth technology and the working environment. Science Seminar (SIYSS). I have also been selected for the SIYSS Award and Later, at Technology, Entertainment, will be the first Indian to get this since and Design (TED) India 2009 in Mysore, the inception of SIYSS in 1976.” Apurv joined the exclusive league of 200 TED Fellows across the globe—and The following year, Apurv joined Hypios, he was the youngest of them all. TED an expert search firm based on open state of innovation across the world, is well-known for its annual, invitation- innovation, as the Vice President, and to democratise access to cutting only conference devoted to “ideas Strategy. This Paris-based French firm edge knowledge. He feels that as worth spreading”, and for its lectures, helps Fortune 500 companies solve the adoption of new technologies is known as TED Talks. problems by matching them with a vast rapid in Asia, especially in countries network of scientific experts. In December 2009, Apurv got another such as China and India, these new feather in his cap. He was awarded a Not one to rest for too long, he, with ecosystems could become the next prestigious fellowship as a Seaborg some TED Fellows and other visionary hub of innovation. Apurv aims to track SIYSS Fellow to attend the Nobel Prize engineers, founded a startup, Future.ly. that process and make it visible through Ceremony in Stockholm in 2009 along The company’s goal is to map the Future.ly, which will map the players, “Governments spend a lot of money trying to render their country more innovative, and mostly try to copy what has worked in other countries, rather than understanding what works within their own.”
influence factors, and dynamics in the Policy October 2011 as a Top 99 Under innovation space around the world. 33 Emerging Foreign Policy Leader. He feels governments spend a lot of Currently, Apurv is doing his M Phil in money trying to render their country Technology Policy at the University of more innovative, and mostly try to copy Cambridge, where he is also the President 93 what has worked in other countries, at Cambridge University Venture Capital rather than understanding what works and Private Equity Club, UK. within their own. He wants to work at the policy level to help governments If you think that Apurv would not have better understand what innovators are any free time at all as he continues on working on in their own country, the his mission of building bridges between dynamics that power that, and the social people and innovations, you would be fabric behind those dynamics, as a wrong. Go to the Cambridge University consultant and technology entrepreneur. Fencing Club, and you might occasionally find him brandishing his sabre there! Apurv was acknowledged as a Future Global Leader at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2011, where he worked with the Russian Government on innovation and technology policy. He was also covered in the Washington, DC, based Diplomatic Courier and Young Professionals in Foreign Physics In The Blood 2006 Hamsa Padmanabhan
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ganeshkhind Physics runs in Hamsa’s family: both “This is a very complex process, and my Pune her parents are physicists. Small daughter analysed the forces involved Maharashtra wonder, then, that Hamsa too aspired in the process, as well as the factors to be a physicist! contributing towards the stability of the 94 Hamsa was a 16 year old student at levitating pen,” says her mentor-father, the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Ganeshkhind, Dr Thanu Padmanabhan, who is a noted Pune, when she won the Grand Award theoretical physicist and Distinguished in Physics at the Intel® International Professor at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) Physics of a Simple Prototype Science and Engineering Fair (Intel in Pune. for Static Magnetic Levitation ISEF) held in Indianapolis in 2006. She also won two special category Physics Looking back at her Intel ISEF experience, prizes for her project, Physics of a Hamsa says that meeting so many top Simple Prototype for Static Magnetic Recognition at Intel ISEF scientists and seeing how the entire Levitation. It consisted of a pencil judging process was conducted was Minor Planet: (21575) Padmanabhan suspended in mid-air as a result of a memorable and valuable experience Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 magnetic forces. She understood, and for her. Intel ISEF gave her a wonderful Individual Category explained, the complex physics involved insight into how research is carried in it. UTC Stock with an approximate value of out, and hands on experience in the USD 2,000 – United Technologies Corporation She got the idea for her project when scientific method. “The other projects Third Award of USD 300 – American she saw a commercially available toy- at Intel ISEF were absolutely amazing. Association of Physics Teachers and the cum-pen stand; she was curious to find They were very ingenious and well American Physical Society out the principles on which it worked. thought out. It was evident that everyone had put in a great deal of effort to get to Intel ISEF, and each one clearly deserved to be there,” recalls Hamsa. A year after winning at Intel ISEF, when 95 Hamsa received her certificate from MIT’s Lincoln Lab stating that a minor planet had been named after her, she was “very excited and happy”. Intel ISEF 2006 was Hamsa’s second major co-curricular win. In 2004, she had won the gold medal at the prestigious All India Test of Scholastic Skills (ASSET) for Class 9 students, conducted by Educational Initiatives, an Ahmedabad-based NGO. Unsurprisingly, Ms Kranti Kumar, Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ganeshkhind, says proudly of her star pupil, “Hamsa, always a topper, has made our school famous by winning prestigious awards… I’m certain there’s a great future ahead for her.” It’s not her genes but her early academic influence that got Hamsa interested in physics. “I was always at IUCAA in my childhood days, around great scientists, and exposed to scientific lectures, talks and debates.”
Hamsa at Intel ISEF 2006
Her father was her official guide for meritorious students—and Hamsa is Hamsa with her father, Thanu Padmanabhan her project, and “supervised my general one of them. (right) physics reading at the advanced level While her parents have impressive required for the project.” qualifications to say the least, it’s not 96 Her mother, Vasanthi, who has a PhD her genes but her early academic in astrophysics from TIFR, Mumbai, influence that got Hamsa interested in was also very supportive throughout. physics. “I was always at IUCAA in my Vasanthi says, “Hamsa was always a childhood days, around great scientists, disciplined child who finished all her and exposed to scientific lectures, talks tasks to the perfection they deserved.” and debates. My parents encouraged me to do what I wanted to, and didn’t Hamsa acknowledges all the support Since her return from Intel ISEF, Hamsa push me to take up physics,” she says. she was fortunate to have received. has done summer research projects “I was always interested in physics and from 2007 to 2011 under the Kishore Hamsa had an interest in arts when doing projects. I was in Class 11 when Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), she was younger and whiled away I submitted my project, first for the IRIS an ongoing program started by the her spare time drawing or painting. National Fair, and then for Intel ISEF. Department of Science and Technology, An advanced maths class at the I got a lot of support and encouragement Government of India, to encourage Bhaskaracharya Institute of Maths from my school. My teachers were willing students of Basic Sciences, Engineering when she was in Class 9 channeled her to help me out with lab sessions that and Medicine to take up research careers. liking to physics. “It revealed the beauty I had missed while I was away at Generous scholarships are provided, in maths to me—of symbols, abstract orientation camps related to the project.” up to the pre-PhD level, to selected equations—which led me to discover 97 An advanced maths class, when she was in Class 9, channelled her interest into physics. “The beauty of maths was revealed to me — of symbols, abstract equations — which led me to discover the joys of experiments and analysis.”
Hamsa at Intel ISEF 2006 with other participants and Judges
of International Education (IIE) and the Goldman Sachs Foundation, and came first in Mimamsa 2009, an inter-college Science Challenge organised by Indian 98 Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune. Hamsa is an enthusiastic member of the Physics and Astronomy Club at her college. She has given lectures in Advanced Physics in college, and helped the joys of experiments and analysis,” organise lecture series and science Hamsa with her mother at Stonehenge, UK she says. popularisation programmes outside college. A life member of MENSA India, A recipient of the prestigious KVPY she enjoys her hobbies such as reading, Fellowship and an National Talent drawing and painting. Search Examination (NTSE) Scholar, she has already published three technical Hamsa has recently completed her M Sc research papers in the American Journal in Physics from the University of Pune. of Physics, General Relativity and Currently, she is engaged in doing a Gravitation and Physical Review D. project on cosmology. Her main area of She was selected as a Goldman Sachs interest is theoretical physics, and she Global Leader in 2009 by the Institute aims to do her PhD in Physics as well. A Happy Accident Varun Mittal 2006
Sanatan Dharam Public School Pitampura New Delhi
99
Effect of Chinaberry Fruit Extract Oil on Feeding, Growth and Fecundity of Plutella Xylostella
Zoology
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 Team Category Varun at Intel ISEF with his teammate, Kanishka (far left); and explaining his project (left)
Varun Mittal and his teammate, Kanishka Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), held in besides being a great science event. Tiwary, discovered an environment Indianapolis in May 2006. At Intel ISEF, At the competition, you tend to forget friendly way to combat a deadly moth their success story continued: they all the obstacles which you encountered that infests vegetables. They studied won the Grand Award Fourth Prize of in the journey. After tasting success 100 the diamondback moth that is found in USD 500. once, it made me believe that I can do cruciferous plants, such as cabbage and Varun shares his feelings of joy on whatever I want to. I started believing cauliflower, and destroys these crops. being an Intel ISEF winner: “Intel ISEF in myself!” This moth also enters into the human is a stage where participation in itself There were many memorable moments brain and causes a severe disease means that you are a winner. And when for Varun at Intel ISEF: just entering the called cysterosis. Together, they found we actually won the Fourth Prize, that huge Intel ISEF hall; the pin exchange the solution: chinaberry fruit extract was indeed a proud moment for us. program, where students of different oil, which they stumbled upon while It meant that all the hard work we had countries exchange the pins which they checking out neem leaves as a solution. put in had been recognised by the world. carry as a symbol of their country; and An example of innovation by accident! Sharing a light moment It simply feels great to win any the encounter with the judges. But the with Team India It was a happy accident, as the two competition, and when it is Intel ISEF, students of Sanatan Dharam Public the joy gets enhanced manifold.” School took their discovery to the Intel ISEF, he says, is the biggest stage Initiative for Research & Innovation for young science innovators. Meeting in Science (IRIS) National Fair, where more than 1, 200 students from over they were declared National Winners, 40 countries, as well as the judges, some and selected to represent Team India of whom were Nobel Prize winners, was at the Intel® International Science and awe-inspiring. “It was a cultural fest, “We took each day, set our goals, and worked together. Sometimes, in research work, you don’t get results even after doing everything With participants from various countries at Intel ISEF right. During those days, we kept calm, and I used to tell Kanishka that at least we are getting a chance to enter Award Ceremony is something that has “Nothing was planned, things just kept the University, and do some left the most indelible mark in his memory. on happening. It was a bumpy ride with a sweet end.” They were interesting work away from He honestly admits that the idea for their project “just came out of nowhere.” successful, feels Varun, because both our boring classroom! But, He is fond of reading magazines on all he and Kanishka kept motivating above all, what kept us going 101 each other. “Sonika Ma’am” was their topics, and, one day, he read an article was the cause: we knew that in Science News about the pest Plutella friend, philosopher and guide; she xylostella, the diamondback moth, was always there for them whenever our innovation, if successful, which had some statistics about the they had to go to the University lab will help farmers.”” devastation which this pest causes to for experimentation or to various cruciferous vegetables. After reading industries. She also accompanied them more on the topic, he brought it up in to the IRIS Fair in Mumbai once they his biology class one day, “just to create had completed their project. Varun can’t an impression in the classroom,” he says. thank her enough: “She was THE WALL His teacher, Ms Sonika Verma, who is behind this project—motivation and an M Sc in Zoology, did not let it go; she inspiration all came from her!” knew about the pest, and encouraged It was a long and painstaking process. Varun to take up the task of finding “We took each day, set our goals, a bio insecticide for this moth as a and worked together. Sometimes, in research project. research work, you don’t get results Along with his team mate Kanishka, even after doing everything right. Varun started working on the project. During those days, we kept calm, and “Follow your dreams and strive to be the best... Have faith in yourself and work hard, especially in scientific innovation. If you reach a dead end, that is the point where you have to remain focused and look for the loopholes in your current work. And after correcting them, move forward. Just do not lose hope and faith.”
I used to tell Kanishka that at least In order to empower them, the people we are getting a chance to enter the will be given an education as well as University, and do some interesting training by the company. He envisages work away from our boring classroom! the scheme to work like an NGO, but 102 But, above all, what kept us going was with the objective of making a profit the cause: we knew that our innovation, as well. if successful, will help farmers.” Varun feels that winners are not born so; After Intel ISEF, Varun chose to be an they make themselves winners by engineer. As he wanted to work on choosing the path which leads them solar power development projects, he to their goals and aims in life. He says, With another participant at Intel ISEF decided to do his B Tech in Electrical “Follow your dreams and strive to be the Engineering. Currently in his fourth best. In today’s world, there is no scope Varun loves reading novels and magazines, and final year at the Career Institute for mediocrity. You have to be the best, and plays badminton in his free time. of Technology, Faridabad, he is working so work hard to excel. There would be at developing solar lighting systems for some people who will demotivate you, but have faith in yourself and work street lights. hard, especially in scientific innovation. His future plans include doing his Masters If you reach a dead end, that is the point in Business Administration, and then where you have to remain focused and working for rural India. He would like to look for the loopholes in your current set up a company in a village, which will work. And after correcting them, move employ only the people of that area. forward. Just do not lose hope and faith.” When Inspiration Works Wonders Kanishka Tiwary 2006
Sanatan Dharam Public School Pitampura New Delhi
103
Effect of Chinaberry Fruit Extract Oil on Feeding, Growth and Fecundity of Plutella Xylostella
Zoology
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 Team Category Kanishka with Team India at the Indianapolis Fair (left)
so as to decrease its growth or totally kill it. This was because it is a devastating pest, and destroys around 40% of the total yield of cruciferous vegetables like 104 cabbages and cauliflowers. They started It’s been a while since Kanishka Tiwary off by trying to formulate an insecticide won the Grand Award Fourth Prize at with neem. But, as they continued their the Intel® International Science and research, they discovered that the plant Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), but the that got them the most positive results feeling of euphoria never seems to fade. was not neem, but chinaberry (Melia She says, “It makes me happy that Intel azedarach). provided us with such an opportunity Recalls Kanishka, “Before leaving for to display our talents at an international Indianapolis for Intel ISEF 2006, I got forum. It still feels great to have been an opportunity to meet our former a part of Intel ISEF. I always feel like President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. It was reliving those moments again.” a very inspiring meeting, and we had Kanishka’s project, which she developed a great deal of discussion on my research with her classmate, Varun Mittal, under work, the work I had done until then, the encouragement and guidance of and my further career plans. I think that their teacher, Mrs Sonika Verma, aimed meeting was the most inspirational to develop something to deal with moment towards my success at Intel Plutella xylostella, the diamondback moth, ISEF. Of course, my partner, guide, An inspiring meeting with the former President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
“No matter what others say, one should always cultivate the love for science and technology. It need not necessarily be as a career, but just the passion for it is enough.”
mentor, school principal, and my parents Currently, she is in her final year at the and friends, were always there to support Institute, and is simultaneously working me through the difficult times and they as a Project Trainee at the Indian kept encouraging me. All their support Institute of Science Education and was very important for my success.” Research (IISER), Pune, under Dr Sutirth 105 Dey, Assistant Professor. She goes on to share her memorable experiences at Intel ISEF: “It was Kanishka plans to continue on this path my first brush with research work. even in the future, pursuing her interest Presenting my work at such a big level in science, particularly evolutionary was like a dream come true. Interaction biology, as it interests her the most. with other students around, the She advises young students interested in various inputs that some of the Nobel science and technology: “No matter what laureates gave us, the presentation, To date, Intel ISEF remains one of others say, one should always cultivate and every single moment I spent at Kanishka’s greatest achievements. the love for science and technology. It Intel ISEF was extremely inspiring. She was a Class 12 student at need not necessarily be as a career, but Witnessing such a huge community Sanatan Dharam Public School, New just the passion for it is enough.” devoted towards science and research, Delhi when she won the Grand Award. as well as becoming aware of all the Soon afterwards, she completed her Fond of books, Kanishka enjoys reading many things a person can do, learn, schooling, and started her B Tech in in her free time. She also listens to discover and invent—all this helped Biotechnology from the Dr D Y Patil music; but what she enjoys most is build the foundation for my interest Biotechnology and Bioinformatics mentoring her younger brother in his in research.” Institute, Pune, in 2008. science projects! India’s Pride: Twice Over! 2006 & 2008 Swathi Soman
Christ Nagar Senior Secondary School It wouldn’t be surprising if Swathi in the cowpea plant, and proved that Thiruvananthapuram Soman builds a shrine to Fusarium the fungus was safe to other biotic Kerala (2006) pallidoroseum. After all, it is this fauna and flora found in the plant’s Management of Aphid Pest of Cowpea fungus that has given her the unique ecosystem. For her project, she won 106 by a Bio-Pesticide Fusarium Pallidoroseum experience of representing India a Grand Award in the Environmental Environmental Sciences twice at Intel® International Science Science category at Intel ISEF 2006. and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF). Even Recognition at Intel ISEF 2006 better, she was a winner both times! This passionate environmentalist from Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 Kerala was determined to represent Back in 2006, little did Swathi Soman Individual Category her country again at the international know that her curiosity about black fair. She participated at the IRIS 2007, spots in vegetables would take her Bhavan’s B P Vidya Mandir now with a project on how to control to Indianapolis as part of Team India. Nagpur water hyacinth, the pernicious aquatic Maharashtra (2008) Swathi, who saw that her mother would weed. This time, it was the sight of the always have to throw away infected Fusarium Pallidoroseum, II: Can it Control ghastly weed choking the water bodies peas, wanted to find a solution—that, Water Hyacinth? too, without using chemicals. around her house in Kerala that egged Environmental Management her on to find a solution. The current management practice of Recognition at Intel ISEF 2008 using chemical pesticides to tackle The disadvantage of this weed outweighs Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 this pest is dangerous, as it causes its merits, as it interferes with the Individual Category environmental and health hazards. production of hydroelectricity, forms Special Award Third Prize of USD 500 She discovered that F pallidoroseum a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and – American Phytopathological Society can be used to control the aphid pest affects aquatic life by depleting the 107 “I felt proud to represent India. I felt lucky, blessed and excited to be among the eight participants to be selected. It was a dream come true to be a winner twice.”
A victorious journey: (anticlockwise from top right) Swathi at the IRIS National Fair; at IEYI India in 2007, and at Intel ISEF 2008; and with members of Team India at Intel ISEF 2006 in Atlanta
oxygen levels in the water. In Kerala, which the weed grows is being utilised how host specific the fungus was. The it makes recreational and water for household uses. results of the study proved that the activities unsafe. fungus is not pathogenic to crop plants, Swathi found an efficient method to nor to insects of the locality, and hence Management of this weed can be taken integrate F pallidoroseum with cashew is safe to be used as a bio-control 108 up by physical or chemical means. The nut shell liquid (CNSL), a by-product of agent. Field trials were conducted to most widely followed practice is manual the cashew industry, and turn it into an prove that F pallidoroseum, together collection and destruction, which is not effective bio-control agent against the with CNSL, was effective in controlling very successful, as the weed multiplies weed. F pallidoroseum was formulated the weed on a very large scale. very fast. Herbicidal destruction is not into a wettable powder, and was tested feasible in most cases as the water in on various plants and weeds to prove After her win in 2006, Swathi knew exactly how to present an award winning project, and, at Intel ISEF 2008 in Atlanta, she not only won another Grand Award, but also an award from the American Phytopathological Society. Swathi attributes her success to her parents and her sister, who have been a constant source of support and inspiration to her. Of her experience at Intel ISEF, Swathi says, “I was the youngest in the group that went to the US, and the only Keralite! I was scared, Happy moments for Swathi with her teammates (first three pictures) and being felicitated by Shri Kapil Sibal in New Delhi after her Intel ISEF win in 2008 (extreme right)
shy and jittery. And not very confident. But by the end of the trip, we had all become very good friends, and we are still in touch today. In retrospect, it was one of the best times I have 109 had, meeting many people and making friends for life!” “Personally, I felt proud to represent India,” she continues. “I felt lucky, blessed and excited to be among the eight participants to be selected for the Indian team. It was a dream come true to be a winner twice. “The Intel ISEF award has given my school, my family and the research institute pride and recognition. It has also brought me to the limelight through television, newspapers and magazines.” While Swathi’s interactions with the Nobel laureates at the Indianapolis Fair had inspired her to try to become one “Don’t waste a minute not being happy. If one window closes, run to the next window or break down a door! When you feel down and out, just remember that the darkest hour is just before sunrise.”
some day, life seems to have taken her door! When you feel down and out, just with her project, and visits the lab Swathi working on her down another path. Even by the time remember that the darkest hour is just at the Kerala Agricultural University project in the field (left), and in the lab (right) she went to Atlanta in 2008, she had before sunrise.” in Thiruvananthapuram once a year, chosen to study Commerce in Class 11. where she meets her mentor, So she decided to continue her studies Despite that, she was offered admission Dr A Naseema, who is an Assistant 110 in the Commerce stream, as she wanted (subject to her SAT scores) to the Bio Professor in the Department of to become a Chartered Accountant. She Technology course at Purdue University, Pathology—and, of course, “her fungus”! is currently doing her final year B Com Indiana, a major research institution Once she is there, she checks it, from Madras University. She is also known for discoveries in every field conduct tests on it, and updates herself simultaneously doing her Chartered of science. But a refrain that she had with the papers that her mentor writes constantly heard while doing her field Accountancy course, and is undergoing on the fungus. project disheartened her: time and her articleship with Ernst & Young in ”This fungus has been very close to again, she was questioned why, coming Chennai. She hopes to clear her CA Final me since I was in Class 9,” says Swathi. from a commerce background, she exams in May 2013. “I can’t ever forget it. I haven’t really was “doing a science project”! She also Swathi finds it difficult to understand thought about what it is exactly that found it difficult to get either funding the rigid compartmentalisation that I will do, but I will always be involved or support for her project. says that a person who has a passion with it—read up papers published on it, But, ever the optimist, she didn’t let for Commerce or the Arts cannot also and the like.” any of this get her down. She lived her have a passion for science. But she That’s a truly extraordinary passion— philosophy: “Don’t waste a minute not doesn’t let that bother her, and she is who says that science is not romantic! being happy. If one window closes, run still very attached to what she calls to the next window, or break down a “her fungus”! She still keeps in touch An Ignited Mind Rishin Behl 2007
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mankhurd Mumbai Maharashtra
111 A Novel Design for Magnetic Levitating Seismograph
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Minor Planet: (23133) Rishinbehl
Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 Individual Category
Full Tuition Scholarship Award – University of New Mexico
First Award of USD 1,000 US Savings Bond – AVASC Foundation
Award of Merit of USD 500 – Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Trip to China to attend CASTIC – China Association for Science and Technology “The biggest impact that Intel ISEF had was that it changed my perspective on life; now I believe that anything is possible... Before ISEF, I was confused like every other teenager. But, now, I believe one should do what he likes without being pressured by society.”
A keychain laser. An aircraft. And the a laser to make his computer generate future,” says Rishin. “Definitely, it gave me Rishin at his stall at an exposure in an international arena to IRIS 2006 (above); spark of genius. That’s what went a 3D image of the shock wave—a huge and with his Professor into making Rishin Behl a big winner improvement over the conventional the scientific world, which, I discovered, at his convocation at at the Intel® International Science and mechanical device. was very wide and supportive. I also met the University of New Mexico in 2011 (right) Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) held in lots of amazing scientists and engineers 112 From a playful experiment to a prize- Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2007. from different fields of science, and winning project, it was a lot of hard work, got the chance to interact with Nobel Rishin was toying with the keychain reading, experimenting and thinking for laureates and Apollo astronauts. This laser, reflecting the beam off a window Rishin. But not an ounce of his efforts was all made possible due to the help pane, when an aircraft passed overhead, was futile: he went on to win as many and support from my teachers at causing the window to vibrate. Rishin as five awards at Intel ISEF 2007. If cash Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mankhurd, and Intel. noticed that this made the laser spot prizes worth USD 3,000, a trip to the I thank Intel for providing me a platform oscillate. It was his Eureka moment! Society of Exploration Geophysicists to achieve all of this.” He put his discovery to practical use in International Exposition, and another to his project, A Novel Design for Magnetic Kunming in China for a week to attend He adds, “The biggest impact that Intel ISEF had was that it changed my Levitating Seismograph, which is a product the 22nd China Adolescents Science perspective on life; now I believe that of his spirit of inquiry that questioned and Technology Innovation Contest were anything is possible. I always liked the inability of seismographers to detect not enough, he also won a full tuition structures and systems, though, to tell the tsunami that struck India in 2004. scholarship of USD 60,000 over four years the truth, before ISEF, I was confused from the University of New Mexico (UNM). Seismographs are used to measure the like every other teenager. But, now, intensity of earthquakes, and Rishin “Participation in Intel ISEF helped me I believe one should do what he likes designed his using a magnetic field and decide which path I would take in the without being pressured by society.” 113 “My father himself is very good at doing things, and has always guided me on various scientific projects since my childhood. I feel I acquired the inclination for doing things from him.”
Rishin had an inclination towards science and innovative ideas right from childhood. Rishin believes his family background has contributed a lot to his exceptional 114 talent in this field. His father, a Naval commander, was involved in marine engineering projects, while his mother worked on electronics projects. “They always encouraged, guided and supported me in anything and everything I did. My father himself is very good at doing things, and has always guided me on various scientific projects since my childhood. I feel I acquired the inclination for doing things from him.” When he took up the project that brought him glory in Albuquerque, Rishin was in Class 12—academically a very crucial year for any student! But “my father encouraged me to go ahead with project work. It was because of my parents that I believed that I could ”Rishin was always an extraordinarily intelligent boy. He would only watch Discovery Science channels, and created various science projects on his own. He was exceptionally good at sketching, and even at the age of six, he was able to make intricate sketches of planes, ships and submarines.” Cdr Rajnish Behl, Rishin’s father
Rishin with his family take up studies and project work universe. “If I look up at the sky, I can have also evinced interest in Rishin’s simultaneously.” always feel there’s something out there innovative design, but he does not wish named after me. That’s an excitement to elaborate upon these at this stage. His father, Cdr Rajnish Behl, now and rush like nothing else,” says Rishin. Rishin himself says that he plans to use retired, recalls: ”Rishin was always an “My family was, and still is, very proud the technology to create a portable extraordinarily intelligent boy. He would 115 of me. That is because this honour device that can detect anomalies in the only watch Discovery Science channels, is highly prestigious, very limited and case of a cardiac arrest. and created various science projects on is only conferred based on very high his own. He was exceptionally good at At UNM, Rishin graduated with honours achievements by the MIT Lincoln Lab.” sketching, and even at the age of six, in Nuclear Engineering, with a lot of he was able to make intricate sketches Within the firm belief instilled in him by research experience in the field of of planes, ships and submarines.” He his Intel ISEF experience that he should radiology and imaging. Throughout, maintains that, even as a child, Rishin’s follow his passion, Rishin took up he was listed in the Dean’s List for knowledge about weaponry, radar and structural engineering at UNM on the securing high grades. Within a month of other equipment was greater than his! scholarship he won at the Fair. During joining the university, he got a research his engineering program, his professors job in the famous BoydLab. He also got With a minor planet—(23133) rishinbehl— saw the potential—and the versatility— the opportunity to work in the Long already named after him by the Lincoln of the technology he had used in his Array Antenna Research Program at Laboratory of the Massachusetts project, which can be modified for Socorro, NM. Institute of Technology (MIT), Rishin, effective use in other fields. There who modestly believes that “being good have been enquiries from the defence In his junior and senior years at UNM, at what I do is my reward,” is well on industry, and people from the fields of he did research in the field of radiation his way to finding his place in the medicine and geographical sciences imaging at the UNM Medical School. His professors saw the potential—and the versatility—of the technology he had used in his project. There have been enquiries from the defence industry, and people from the fields of medicine and geographical sciences have also evinced interest in Rishin’s innovative design.
He had a string of achievements during Rishin with an official his four year stint at the university. at Intel ISEF 2007 He was the Secretary of the UNM Student Chapter of the American 116 Nuclear Society. He was also the Vice President (Student Chapter) at the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management. Further, he was selected to participate in various international symposia. Based on his research work, high grades and high recommendation, he was offered scholarships for further studies at many prestigious universities in USA and Canada. He chose to do a medical physics course at McGill University in of nuclear medicine and mechanical but it isn’t just technology that drives Montreal. “Presently,” updates Rishin, “I engineering”. this young innovator. am pursuing my MS at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, with my focus “Getting to know more about the “Playing lawn tennis, hiking and drawing on the use of innovative technologies newest developments in the field of free sketches of things, ranging from in the field of radiation scatter imaging. science and medicine has always been artillery to ships, are my hobbies.” I plan to continue research in the field a great passion of mine,” says Rishin, A Cool Solution Ambud Sharma 2008
Sunbeam School Bhagwanpur Varanasi Uttar Pradesh
117
A Low Cost Water Based Evaporative Cooling Device for Computers
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 Individual Category
Scholarship of USD 12,500 per year, renewable annually – by Florida Institute of Technology Ambud designed and fabricated a cooling system for the computer, especially the CPU, that would allow heat to be captured by water and radiated to the atmosphere. Essentially, it was an adaptation of the desert cooler concept that has been prevalent in India for the past several centuries.
The absence of an air conditioner in his the desert cooler concept that has Sharing precious moments with Varanasi home was a boon in disguise been prevalent in India for the past Dr Craig R Barrett, for Ambud Sharma. His old PC was several centuries. Ex Chairman, Intel forever hanging, due to overheating. Corporation That’s the project that took Ambud to Always curious about computers, 118 IRIS, and then to success at the Intel® Ambud had stumbled on a generic International Science and Engineering problem every PC owner faces in India Fair (Intel ISEF) at Atlanta, Georgia, during summer: heat! in 2008. This Class 12 student from To fix the problem, Ambud had to find Sunbeam School had earlier dreamt a way to move the heat away from the of being a chip designer so that he computer’s CPU. When he kept his hand could work for Intel! Ambud affirms for inspiration. Ambud’s path breaking on the heat sink to help reduce the that it’s the computer’s processor that Evaporative Cooling Device, which he heat being generated, he realised that inspired him, “because of its speed, named Heat Busters, has the potential his blood was acting as a heat carrying multitasking capability and making to considerably reduce the need medium and his skin as a “water jacket”. almost no mistakes. Its heating was a for environmentally hazardous air big drawback though.” This gave him the idea to design and conditioners that are a threat not only fabricate a cooling system for the Ambud did not have a guide for his to individual health but also to the computer, especially the CPU, that project, and his parents did not know ozone layer. “I hope my project can be of would allow heat to be captured by how to operate a computer. So it was great help to mankind,” says Ambud. water and radiated to the atmosphere. to his cousin, who works in the US in Ambud recalls his experience at Intel Essentially, it was an adaptation of the field of robotics, that he turned ISEF with pride: “Representing my “No wonder it’s called the Olympics of Science Fairs... I got to see and become acquainted with various innovations happening across the globe, and it was amazing to meet students just like me, having the same temperament for science, research and innovation for the betterment of humanity. In short the experience is unforgettable!”
country at an international event gave at a personal level, helped him develop me great personal satisfaction. Also, innovative thinking and the art of I feel it was a major opportunity to representation of science to the world. interact with Nobel laureates, eminent At the Fair, Ambud had the good scientists, and heads of leading fortune of participating in a Question 119 companies of the world.” & Answer session over lunch with He adds, “Intel ISEF is one of the most eminent Nobel laureates and the spectacular events organised in the Chairman of Intel, Dr Craig Barrett. He field of Science and Technology for was among 35 participants chosen by high school students; no wonder it’s Society for Science & the Public for this called the Olympics of Science Fairs. signal honour, on the basis of questions The term itself explains a lot about it. I submitted by them. In fact, he was the got to see and become acquainted with first ever student from India to get various innovations happening across this unique opportunity! Among his the globe, and it was amazing to meet cherished memories of Atlanta are the students just like me, having the same moments he shared with Ms Elizabeth temperament for science, research Marincola, President, Society for Science and innovation for the betterment of & the Public, Dr Robert F Curl, who got Ambud and other members of Team India humanity. In short the experience is the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996— at Intel ISEF unforgettable!” Ambud feels that the and the privilege of having lunch with experience not only helped him realise Dr Robert Horvitz, Nobel laureate in the importance of innovation, but also, Medicine in 2002. The sheer experience several of the eminent judges told his technology to a French company. Ambud that they looked forward to his Then his passion for computers and presence in the industry. He says that computer science got him focused on he is unable to find adequate words research in the field. 120 to describe his feelings about winning Currently, Ambud is pursuing his BS in for his country: “India has always Computer Science and Information been on the frontier of science and Systems from the University of Wisconsin- technology and bagging a prize at a Stevens Point in the US. Apart from With Dr Praveen Vishakantaiah, global science forum proved to the his studies, Ambud is concurrently President, Intel India, at IRIS 2007 world our excellence in innovation in working on various research projects— the field of science and technology. independently, and in conjunction with of talking to Dr Horvitz and asking him And I still feel humbled and privileged to faculty both at his university and at questions was life changing. Both he have made my country proud.” others. Among these is Project Orion, and Dr Curl inspired him tremendously at his university, which is about cluster with similar messages: “You should be His parents, especially his father, have computing; he has been researching really passionate about what you do, been extremely supportive, and have specifically on how to process massive the end result doesn’t matter.” been instrumental in his success. “We amounts of network traffic and generate are very happy about his achievement. Ambud won two awards at Intel ISEF. cyber threat alerts, an extremely critical He has made us proud,” says a beaming After bagging the Grand Award Fourth need today, given the incredible growth Rajendra Kumar, Ambud’s father. Prize, Ambud also won a USD 50,000 of online traffic. In 2011, he worked scholarship from the Florida Institute of For a year after Intel ISEF, Ambud had on speech recognition systems at the Technology. It was also gratifying when many ups and downs, as he tried to sell Carnegie Mellon University. “India needs innovation and we are heading in that direction, we just need to increase our pace!”
In his free time, Ambud enjoys searching for new research papers on the Internet and reading new publications. Other than that, he enjoys reading about new gadgets, watches TED on YouTube, and 121 listens to music. A proud moment at Intel Other cutting edge research projects Ambud feels students truly interested ISEF 2008 that he has been involved are: Intelligent in the field of science and technology Network Selection for Smart Phones should overcome their mindset of Ambud. He is glad that the Government Using User Trends; Sun SPOT Store grades, admissions and jobs, and pursue of India is making changes to the and Forward Technique for Reducing the subject of their interest—be it education system to motivate and Congestion in Sensor Networks; promote innovation. “India needs Optimised Task Scheduler for Hadoop; physics, chemistry or engineering. Says innovation and we are heading in that and Network Traffic Compression Ambud with feeling, “Students need to direction, we just need to increase our on GPU. understand their passion for science not only to be successful in the field, pace!,” he concludes. With extreme clarity on his future but also, more importantly, to contribute plans, Ambud outlines the course to society.” he plans to take: “I would like to be a research scholar especially in the field “Research and innovation are critical of cluster computing and BigData, and to India’s progress, but are even more also do practical work in the industry in important for the existence and survival the same field.” of humanity in the years to come,” says A Quest For Science 2008 Lavanya H Giriraj
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya A Class 11 student from Jawahar moment in her life. She says, “Intel ISEF Mandya Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Mandya, is a great platform—one of the best!— Karnataka Lavanya Giriraj wanted to replace toxic for young innovators to showcase chemicals that are commonly used in their hidden talents. Being from a rural 122 household products with more environ- school and making it to Intel ISEF was mentally friendly substances. She a dream come true for me. It opened up investigated alternatives to synthetic the doors of opportunity for my future, dyes that are used in fabrics, paints, and has influenced me ever since.” and foods. She extracted dye from Lavanya’s quest for science was the petals of Ixora coccinea, a fuchsia- encouraged and supported by her project flowered plant of the coffee family. She guide, Mrs Remani K, at JNV, Mandya. It was able to successfully dye ice cream, was Mrs Remani who inspired Lavanya cotton, and silk, and prepared water to take up the project on the basis of colours and oil paints from the pigment. a small experiment that she conducted Her research project, Natural Colour in her school laboratory. The project was from Ixora Flowers, won Lavanya the a National Winner at IRIS 2007, and was Natural Colour from Ixora Flowers Second Prize of USD 500 from the then improved under the guidance and review of eminent scientists, before it Plant Sciences American Society for Horticultural was ready for Intel ISEF. Science in the Plant Sciences category Recognition at Intel ISEF at the Intel® International Science and Lavanya is very grateful to all those who Second Award of USD 500 Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Atlanta, helped her on her triumphant journey: – American Society for Horticultural Science Georgia, in 2008. This was, naturally, a big “My project guide and her husband, Mr Selvam, were my strongest supporters throughout my journey. They contributed significantly towards my success at Intel ISEF. Other people who supported me include Mr Chandrasekaran, Principal, 123 and Mr Chenchaiah, then Vice President, from my school; Mr Chandrashekar, from the Central Institute of Aromatic Sciences, Bangalore; Mr Keshavan, retired Professor, Manasagangotri, Mysore; all my teachers at JNV, Mandya; and last, but not the least, my family.” At Atlanta, the whole experience was one of learning and joy for Lavanya. “It was great being a part of Intel ISEF, even more when you know that you are representing your country at the international level. The experience gave me a new definition in life, a new aspect from which to see life as it is. It gave me the independence which I had longed for. And the way people respect India is, “Science is a beautiful field, in which every dream can come true with sheer hard work and dedication. So if you are serious about bringing about a change around you, never wait for the right time to come, use your present time. Start working on your dream and you will surely succeed.”
Lavanya getting her award at Intel ISEF 2008 (left); at the felicitation event by Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Science and Technology (middle); and winning the Fair and Lovely Scholarship 2009 (right)
amazingly, seen when you are far from to continue my higher studies in the She is also determined to encourage Lavanya with Team here! It made me care for the small things, same field.” After her graduation, she and support students to participate India at the Olympic Park in Atlanta (right) which, if worked upon, can be turned wants to pursue an MS from a reputed in science exhibitions—especially into wonders.” university, preferably overseas. And down Intel ISEF! A born teacher, she says, the line, she aims to work in a research 124 She continues, “Being called up on stage “Teaching is, at present, my hobby. centre, guiding young talents to achieve as the 1st runner-up by the American Whenever I am free, I usually teach their dreams in the field of science and Society for Horticultural Science, young kids around my place.” technology through research. receiving the award in that great hall, in front of thousands of people, making Lavanya has not revisited her Ixora project my country proud—that’s the moment since Intel ISEF, but is eager to continue I’d die to live again for. I was most research on it and get it patented, once inspired by the hard work, people’s she has the opportunity. dedication in making things work out, Encouraging young students who are and their punctuality.” interested in science and technology, After Intel ISEF, Lavanya completed she says, “Science is a beautiful field, her Class 12 Board exams, and, the in which every dream can come true following year, she joined the Government with sheer hard work and dedication. Engineering College, K R Pet, Mandya, So, if you are serious about bringing about to do her Bachelor’s in Engineering. a change around you, never wait for the She says, “I have chosen Electronics right time to come, use your present and Communications. I have taken up time. Start working on your dream, and technology as my prime field, and plan you will surely succeed.” 125 126 Winning The World With Science Pooja Dholakiya 2008
Late Shree S G Dholakiya Memorial High School Going to Atlanta for the Intel® International Their edible palette included yellow Rajkot Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) from turmeric, red from chili peppers, Gujarat in 2008 was a life changing experience pink from roses, and more. for Pooja Dholakiya. As Pooja and Riddhi went about giving Along with her classmate, Riddhi Dasani, final shape to their project,Eco-Friendly 127 Pooja won the Grand Award Third Prize Ink for Colour Pens, they travelled to in Plant Sciences in the Team Category, Chhindwara, where powders used for which carried a cash prize of USD 1,000. dying fabric are made from various plants. They also visited fabrication units and Here’s how it all started: One day, when factories to see how pens are made. Pooja was at school, she saw some Even as they worked hard at their young students licking ink from project, they were fortunate to get a lot their sketch pens. Appalled at the of support from Dr Ismail Katri, from the possible danger to their health from M S University in Baroda. the toxic inks, she spoke to her friend Riddhi about it. They resolved to see The girls consider the former President what they could do about it. They of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, their Eco-Friendly Ink for Colour Pens experimented with fruits, flowers and idol, and his words have been their Plant Sciences vegetables to see if they could develop constant inspiration. Their story and organic inks that are non-toxic. Six their path to success have, in turn, Recognition at Intel ISEF months later, they had achieved their been a great inspiration not just to the Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 objective: they were able to extract students in their school, but to others Team Category quite a few appetising, bright colours. in the community. Pooja with her teammate, Riddhi at Intel ISEF 2008 (above and below left); and explaining their project to a judge (right)
and the reports have been very talents in the field of science. We are encouraging. very happy to participate in such a big scientific event.” Pooja has not done any further work on this project, but is happy that Riddhi’s She is very proud of being an Intel ISEF 128 younger brother, Jay, has latched on winner. She says, “It’s a great feeling to On their triumphant from Atlanta, the to their idea. She says, “We have just bring glory to our country. Participating two girls, along with other Team India created a path. I am glad someone is on the world stage and finding myself members who had won at Intel ISEF taking this further.” She feels there are among the winners has given me that year, were felicitated by the Union many possibilities to fine tune the immense pleasure.” Minister of Science and Technology, Shri project; for example, as the ink is made “My parents and Dr Abdul Kalam have Kapil Sibal, in New Delhi. Subsequently, out of natural material, there is a chance been my inspiration for my success,” they were also honoured at a special of bacterial and fungal infection. She says Pooja. “And my parents, my teachers, event by the Chief Minister of Gujarat, also feels that if, after working for less and my friends have been a great Shri Narendra Modi—they were the than a year, they were able to discover support to me all throughout.” She first students from Gujarat to win at nine colours from natural sources, the makes special mention of their mentor, Intel ISEF. scope to discover more colours is vast. Mr Sachin Jani, who taught them Biology She plans to support Jay in his research The inks developed by Pooja and Riddhi in Class 9. when she comes home during her have been analysed by laboratories at Speaking of the profound effect the vacations. the Saurashtra University, M S University, experience had upon her, Pooja says, “At Baroda, the Gujarat State Food and On her Intel ISEF experience, Pooja says, Intel ISEF, I got the opportunity to meet Drug Control Department, and others, “We got an opportunity to bring out our many young scientists from all over “Her interest in innovation can be applied in medicine as well, as she can now help save thousands from dukh, dard aur maut. I don’t want her to just do her MBBS and practise medicine— I would like her to research and innovate for the benefit of mankind.”
Krishnakant Dholakiya, Pooja’s father
or the school, but for Gujarat as well.” Mr Dholakiya, who is supportive of the He goes on to say, “That my daughter aspirations of his daughter, says, “Her received an international award is a interest in innovation can be applied in cause of great happiness for me. She medicine as well, as she can now help did something that I couldn’t do!” save thousands from dukh, dard aur 129 maut (sadness, pain and death). the world. I could enrich my knowledge Following in Riddhi and Pooja’s footsteps, I don’t want her to just do her MBBS with my interactions with them. I learnt their schoolmate Hetal Vaishnav was and practise medicine—I would like her about the different cultures of the a winner at Intel ISEF in 2009—and to research and innovate for the benefit again in 2011! Mr Dholakiya beams world, and made some good friends. of mankind.” I also got the opportunity to meet Nobel with justifiable pride: “All the three girls, laureates. Representing Indian culture Riddhi, Hetal and Pooja, are the brand Pooja’s advise to young students? in the poster presentation session was ambassadors of our school!” “There’s a lot of fun and lots of things the most memorable moment for me.” to learn in the field of science. Go, win Currently, Pooja is studying for her the world with science!” Her father, Mr Krishnakant Dholakiya, MBBS degree at the AMC MET Medical is also the Trustee and Principal of her College in Ahmedabad. After completing school. He says, “I am very happy both her studies, she would like to pursue as a father and as the trustee of the research as a career and “do something school. Coming from a Gujarati medium worthwhile for mankind.” Her interest school, my 14 year old daughter won is in clinical research, and she would a prestigious award at Intel ISEF. Her like to specialise in either neurology or win is a matter of pride not just for me cardiology. For the last ten years, his school has dedicated the months of June and July to a science exhibition. On an average, students exhibit more than 500 projects, both model based and research based, in this annual school exhibition.
Nurturing the Scientific Spirit
Mr Krishnakant Dholakiya, Principal and in the school. Mr Hitesh Bhundiya, in India as well as those from local Krishnakant Dholakiya with his daughter, Pooja Trustee of the Late Shree S G Dholakiya In-charge of Science Activities and colleges and Government institutions, Memorial High School, Rajkot, is an M Sc in Research Projects for the School says, at the school’s expense, to motivate Physics and has been a science teacher. “IRIS winners are actual thinkers and and encourage their students. The 130 Hence, it is not surprising that he gives should be encouraged.” school also supports the students by very high importance to the teaching organising visits to various institutes Mr Dholakiya feels extremely happy at and learning of science in his school. and other places, as necessary, so that the achievements of his students—one they can research their project ideas For the last ten years, his school has of whom happens to be his daughter. and develop them further. The costs dedicated the months of June and July He says, “It’s a matter of great pride and of these trips, where the students are to a science exhibition. On an average, honour to have three Intel ISEF winners also accompanied by their teachers, are students exhibit more than 500 projects, from the school. Our school encourages borne by the school. both model based and research based, parents to motivate their children to in this annual school exhibition. The best participate in science fairs by funding This nurturing support to kindle the of these projects are then selected for their expenses as they accompany scientific spirit in his school will surely participation at IRIS. their children to these events.” encourage and produce many more young innovators in the times to come. Since 2006, students from the school When the IRIS National Fair was held at have not only participated at the IRIS Ahmedabad, every day five bus loads National Fair, but have won awards there of students from all their schools were as well. When these winners at the IRIS taken to the exhibition, “just to see Fair come back, they are given a hero’s what IRIS is.” The school also invites welcome and felicitated by dignitaries scientists from eminent institutions Crossing New Horizons Riddhi Dasani 2008
Late Shree S G Dholakiya Memorial High School Rajkot Gujarat
131
Eco-Friendly Ink for Colour Pens Plant Sciences
Recognition at Intel ISEF Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 Team Category Riddhi says, “Participating in Intel ISEF was a great chance for me to know about new things related to science.” Even more than the prize she won, she considers it a great honour to have represented her country at an international forum!
Riddhi (extreme right) with Shri Kapil Sibal, With limited exposure to the fast growing children in her school licking ink from Riddhi with her brother, Union Minister for Science and Technology, at the pace of science and technology prior to sketch pens. She discussed this with Jay, who is taking their felicitation event for Team India in New Delhi project forward to find her trip to Atlanta, Riddhi was thrilled by her friend, Riddhi, and they decided to additional colours (right) the opportunity. She says, “Participating do something about it. Six long months When Riddhi Dasani, along with Pooja in Intel ISEF was a great chance for me of experiments later, they achieved their 132 Dholakiya, travelled to Atlanta in 2008 to know about new things related to objective: a special ink that is non-toxic. to participate in the Intel® International science.” Even more than the prize she Their raw material: fruits, flowers and Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), won, she considers it a great honour vegetables, with their appetising colours! it was the first time she had taken a trip to have represented her country at an They successfully constructed their outside her home town, Rajkot, on her international forum! edible palette: yellow from turmeric, own. Little did she realise the extent Language was a worry, as neither red from chili peppers, pink from roses, to which her horizon would expand. The Pooja nor she were fluent in English. and so on. pride she felt at representing her country But that was taken care of when they at the international level overcame any Like Pooja, Riddhi also considers the former were assigned an interpreter on the apprehensions she might have initially President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, first day of judging. Riddhi found this her idol, and his words have been her felt when she embarked on her journey. extremely useful: whenever she was constant motivation. She is also very proud The Rajkot girls did India proud. They unable to explain a point in English to of the fact that they were felicitated a visitor or a judge, she took the help of came back richer, not just from the by the Union Minister for Science and the interpreter. experience, but as Grand Award Third Technology, Shri Kapil Sibal, in New Delhi, Prize winners in Plant Science in the The idea for their winning project, on their return from Atlanta. Later, they Team Projects category, bagging a cash Eco-Friendly Ink for Colour Pens, was were also honoured by the Chief Minister prize of USD 1,000! born when Pooja saw some young of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi. 133 At Intel ISEF 2008 in Atlanta
Riddhi’s brother, Jay, has taken off from where his sister stopped: he is working on extracting black, white and dark blue from natural sources. These are the key colours that Riddhi and Pooja had not been able to extract.
Impressed by their achievements, Riddhi and Pooja have not taken forward to take concrete steps towards making their school has sent their inks to the their research into eco-friendly inks after this product commercially viable. laboratories of M S University, Baroda, their return from Intel ISEF. But there Here’s wishing Jay success—and a “fruitful” has been an interesting development. Saurashtra University, the Gujarat State conclusion of his project! 134 Food and Drug Control Department, and Riddhi’s younger brother, Jay, has been others, and the analytical reports have bitten by the research bug, and is taking been very encouraging. the girls’ project to the next level— with support from his sister, of course! Riddhi feels a deep sense of gratitude A student of Class 8 from the same towards her mentor, Mr Sachin Jani, who school as Riddhi, Jay has taken off was her Biology teacher in Class 9. She from where his sister stopped: he is is also extremely grateful to her parents, working on extracting black, white and her school teachers, and the judges at dark blue from natural sources. These IRIS for their support and encouragement. are the key colours that Riddhi and And she is happy that their own path to Pooja had not been able to extract. success has been a great inspiration to He plans to enter his project for the IRIS all the students in their school. National Fair 2012. Currently, Riddhi is pursuing her degree Today, Jay is researching assiduously, in engineering at Rajkot. She plans on and has been rewarded with a new doing further studies in aeronautics at an pigment from a fruit. If he is successful institution in Punjab. As ever, her parents in his quest to extract the elusive are highly supportive of her choices. colours, Riddhi and her brother plan They are young, but they have already achieved immortality. Because, thanks to the brilliance they displayed at the Intel® International Science On Top and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), 16 students from schools across India have had minor planets named after them. As of May 2012, fewer than 17,500 people across the world of the have had this rare distinction. This celestial honour, which puts these young geniuses in the company of the world’s great World scientists and other luminaries, was bestowed on them under Ceres Connection, a unique partnership between Society for Science & the Public and the Lincoln Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of 135 Technology to promote science education. Meet the brilliant Indians who will now shine down on Earth forever. (12599) Singhal (17095) Mahadik (23133) Rishinbehl (25636) Vaishnav Akshat Singhal Bhushan Prakash Mahadik Rishin Behl Hetal Kanjibhai Intel ISEF 2002 Intel ISEF 2003 Intel ISEF 2007 Vaishnav On Top Intel ISEF 2009
of the (25630) Sarkar Debarghya Sarkar Manosij Ghosh Dastidar* (20616) Zeeshansayed Intel ISEF 2009 Intel ISEF 2011 World Zeeshan Ali Sayyed Intel ISEF 2004 (12509) Pathak Madhav Pathak Intel ISEF 2002 Ankur Kanjibhai Vaishnav* (17091) Senthalir (20604) vrishikpatil (25629) Mukherjee Intel ISEF 2011 Senthalir P Vrishikumar Patil Anish Mukherjee Intel ISEF 2003 Intel ISEF 2004 Intel ISEF 2009
(25620) Jayaprakash Vishnu Jayaprakash Intel ISEF 2009 Raghavendra Ramachanderan* (17092) Sharanya Intel ISEF 2011 Sharanya S (21575) Padmanabhan Intel ISEF 2003 Hamsa Padmanabhan Intel ISEF 2006 1Planet Name Under Process Since 2004, those who win Why the Ceres Connection Minor Planet Honour is Important to Me a Grand Award Second Prize, In these times, earning honour and prizes is an creatures after my name. Not to mention, their or a higher award, at the Intel® easy task for every exceptionally hardworking alien leaders may also give me some ‘foreign’ International Science and student. In today’s world, if you’re a hardworking gifts if they discover they are known under student, you surely have a room full of my name on Earth. What the press would Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) merchandise and folders full of certificates. think about this and write about this would be have qualified to have minor While there may be a lot of fun and happiness a different matter altogether—I already feel planets named after them under in such awards, and indeed some of them hold swollen with pride at that thought. great honour, nothing, I believe, can compare the Ceres Connection*. Till the time aliens are discovered and astrology with the honour and happiness associated with touches my planet, there would still be a lot of having a minor planet named after you. Prior to that, students were happiness in this honour. It automatically guarantees you the title of ‘star’ chosen based not just on their The honour would be intrinsic gratification when newspapers write about you, and that too to all of my efforts that could get me to this projects, but also on an essay without recording a pop-album or running for a opportunity, and would motivate me for greater role in a movie. they had to write on why they goals in life. If the other variables remain the believed they they deserved I do imagine great rewards for myself which same, the honour can give me the foundation 136 the honour. this honour can bring me. In eastern countries, to become a good scientist in my professional especially India, we do a lot of astrology based life, and it can also serve as an inspiration to Here’s the essay that Akshat on stars. Almost everyone here believes that the other bright students of my state who are Singhal, who, in 2002, became fate is controlled by stars, and many people striving for success in science and technology. one of the first two Indian do detailed studies on how to tell someone’s The work this honour might do in this way could future based on the positions of main planets. be students to have a minor planet If one day this ‘science’ extends to the level of greater than what it can do with aliens named after him, wrote. minor planets, I could be bigger than a celebrity! and astrology. I mean, people’s fates would be decided in If I get this honour, it would give me a lot of my name. If my planet brings bad luck, people popularity and fame all my life, it would give would dread my name like they dread the name me great pleasure till the end of my life, when I Alzheimer, and if its lucky, they’d embrace it like could be saying: “Yes, little boy, that is grandpa’s they embrace Linus Torvald’s Linux. planet... right there.” I also see the possibility of the naming of a That is how I feel the Ceres Connection Minor whole race of aliens on my name. After all, space Planet honour is important to me. could be holding many science-fiction-type secrets for us, which could also mean that my minor planet could be the home of an alien race, *For more information on the Ceres Connection, visit and if that race is discovered, it’ll be a great http://www.ll.mit.edu/outreach/ceres.html honour to have a population of a few million Finding The Better Way Anish Mukherjee 2009
South Point High School Kolkata West Bengal
137
Clamped Bottle Cap: A Novel Tamper-Proof Bottle Cap Design
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Minor Planet: (25629) Mukherjee
Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 Team Category “Being a Grand Award Second Prize winner at Intel ISEF itself can make one feel like he is on top of the world. On top of that, having a minor planet named after me is like a dream come true. But I felt something else besides elation—the satisfaction of being a possible source of inspiration for others who might take confidence from our success.”
at the Intel® International Science and phases of development before they Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) held in arrived at the form they presented at Reno, Nevada, in 2009. Their winning Intel ISEF 2009. project, Clamped Bottle Cap: A Novel Says Anish, “Being a Grand Award Tamper-Proof Bottle Cap Design, 138 Second Prize winner at Intel ISEF itself showcased a solution to the bottle can make one feel like he is on top tampering that is rampant in India. of the world. On top of that, having a 16-year-old Anish and Debarghya minor planet named after me is like a decided that something needed to be dream come true. But I felt something done about this menace, as it seemed Ask Anish Mukherjee what it felt like else besides elation—the satisfaction unlikely that the applicable laws could when he heard that he had a minor of being a possible source of inspiration be rigorously enforced. What he did planet, (25629) Mukherjee, named for others who might take confidence was to take the idea behind auto- after him, and he banters that, after the from our success.” disposable syringes—which, once used, “initial euphoria”, his first thought was cannot be used again—and apply that Anish acknowledges with gratitude that his younger brother and juniors at to the design of a one-time use bottle the role his Physics teachers and his school would now “look up” to him! cap. Their solution, which involved a Principal played in his success. He Anish qualified for the rare honour redesign not just of the entire bottle says they were extremely supportive when he teamed up with Debarghya cap, but of the bottle neck as well, throughout their endeavour, even Sarkar, his schoolmate at South Point ensures that a customer will get a clear providing them with as much financial High School in Kolkata, to win the Grand visual indication if the bottle had been support as was possible. He also Award Second Prize for Team Projects tampered with. They went through six recalls with fondness all his friends, Anish and Debarghya at “who were amazingly supportive and Intel ISEF 2009 (opposite who constantly egged us on.” And page); with Dr Doug Osheroff, Nobel Laureate finally, but most importantly, he has his in Physics (above); and in parents to thank, for always being there Kolkata recently (far right) whenever he needed them. Without 139 them, his journey would not have been possible. His main source of inspiration was his mother. “I do not think there is anyone else who believes so fully and devotedly in my abilities,” he says. Intel ISEF, for Anish, was a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The idea of meeting so many great minds at the same time and even getting advised by them was in itself quite overwhelming. The way the judges, some of the best minds in their fields, praised them, asked about their future plans, and advised them accordingly was a huge benefit. The Fair was also “great fun, with a grand pin-exchange ceremony, and even a DJ night! The story of this “Always know that if you have done something well, then there is always a better way to do it. It is only by accepting how little you know about things that you can strive towards knowledge.”
Anish shares his victorious moment with Debarghya (left); and the duo and with their mentor, Prof Mistry (right)
journey is one which I never get tired of Currently in his second year at Jadavpur horror to mythology. He is also, by his own telling people over and over again.” University, Kolkata, studying Electrical admission, “a game freak”, and likes to Engineering, he would like to research in spend a lot of time indulging that passion. It was Richard Phillips Feynman who the basic sciences in the future. Along made him fall in love with Physics, and Anish advises young students who are with his studies, he is currently working 140 while Anish was very clear about his interested in science and technology to on a science project on Fluid Flotation interest in the subject, Intel ISEF was a “keep your mind open”. He adds, “A good mechanics with his friend, Saurabh Nath, real “confidence booster” in crystalising scientist is one who never thinks that a second year student of Mechanical his dreams. Interacting with great you know everything there is to know Engineering at the same University. scientific minds was the best part of about something... If you do, then his experience, which, he believes, has Anish is very clear about the general you have closed the door to your develop- “made me a smarter person.” direction his life will take: he plans to ment. Always know that if you have done remain in the academic field. He aims Today, Anish’s social life has changed, something well, then there is always to do his ME/M Tech in a reputed considering that he has now become a better way to do it; if you know institution. “No matter what I do, it quite a familiar and popular face both something, you can always know more is absolutely necessary for me to be at school and at college. On the other about it. It is only by this, by accepting involved with something that I enjoy hand, he says, “I do not think that as how little you know about things, that doing. Having done that, I will try a human being I have changed much, you can strive towards knowledge.” to focus my studies towards how my except for the fact that I have become work can benefit society,” he says Wise words indeed from one so young! more confident than before. This with assurance. will surely help me in the long run, as self-confidence is really needed to pull An avid reader, Anish devours all genres oneself through any situation.” of books, ranging from science fiction to A Life Changing Experience Debarghya Sarkar 2009
South Point High School Kolkata West Bengal
141
Clamped Bottle Cap: A Novel Tamper-Proof Bottle Cap Design
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Minor Planet: (25630) Sarkar
Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 Team Category Debarghya feels that it is a great achievement to get his name attached to a celestial body– he feels “immortalised”!
Debarghya Sarkar was 17 years old and attached to a celestial body—he feels studying in Class 12 in South Point High “immortalised”! that the First Prize would have been Debarghya with Dr Craig R School, Kolkata, when he participated When Anish and Debarghya embarked far better! Barrett at Intel ISEF 2009 at the Intel® International Science and on their trip to Reno, they did not Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Reno, Debarghya feels that the award was 142 seriously expect to win at Intel ISEF. Nevada in 2009. Together with his a just reward for all the hard work But, during the judging, when as many teammate, Anish Mukherjee, he wowed that Anish and he had put in for as seventeen judges came to meet the judges with his project, Clamped more than six months. It all started them instead of the scheduled seven, Bottle Cap: A Novel Tamper-Proof with Debarghya’s concern about the they got an inkling that their project Bottle Cap Design, and won the Grand tampering of mineral water bottles, was being talked about, and began to see Award Second Prize for Team Projects. a glimmer of hope that they would win and the consequent health issues. He That’s not all: his win also qualified him something. On the big day, when the wondered if he could design a bottle to have a minor planet named after him. awards were announced, their names cap that would make the bottle tamper- A few months later, he received the were called out for the Grand Award proof, and he joined hands with Anish communication from the Lincoln Lab Second Prize. to do research towards this end. at the Massachusetts Institute of “Winning the award was great and Thereafter, the project went through Technology (MIT) confirming that minor overwhelming. I still cherish memories many phases, as they put a lot of planet (25630) Sarkar had been named of walking up the ramp draped in the effort into design and development. in his honour! tricolour, with the red badge of the Through a survey at the Ruby General He recalls the moment: “It was exhilarating Second Grand Award on me!” says Hospital Pharmacy and the East India and I felt good inwardly.” He feels that Debarghya. Of course, once they won, Pharmaceutical Works, they learnt it is a great achievement to get his name Anish and he could not help feeling about different bottle cap designs “Our inexperience often posed a hurdle, but our tender age possibly drew compassion and help from different corners, which eased our journey considerably.”
With Team India at Intel ISEF 2009
currently in use, and the process of many iterations. With mentoring from he was still not very sure which field of manufacturing bottles and caps. Says the Scientific Review Committee (SRC), science he would work in. Debarghya, “Our inexperience often they then polished their entry into an Speaking of how life changed for him posed a hurdle, but our tender age international award winning project. after Intel ISEF, Debarghya says, “We possibly drew compassion and help As the project evolved, they moved were heroes in our school, and probably 143 from different corners, which eased our beyond the mineral water bottles they still remain so to this day! Multitudes of journey considerably.” They frequently started off with. Their final design TV interviews and newspaper reports got in touch with Prof Kamalesh covered both single-use bottles like followed. One day, the library of our Majumdar of Jadavpur University for intravenous medicinal bottles as well as school turned into a press conference guidance, and to discuss the feasibility hall! Awards flowed in from different multi-use containers like mineral water of their designs. Eventually the very corners—from the school, and later bottles and gas cylinders. They have simple idea they had put down in the from our Alumni Association, ASPEXS, filed for a patent for their product, and synopsis for their IRIS entry, went as well.” Along with the rejoicing, he are waiting for a response. through two major changes, before had to get back to the grind of regular Debarghya and Anish took part in Till Debarghya went to Intel ISEF, he schoolwork: “Till Intel ISEF, I was devoting the IRIS National Fair with their third was not really sure which path to most of my time to developing the project, modified design. pursue in his career. But the wonderful designing flexes, and the like. But, after Intel ISEF, I had to concentrate more on After winning at the IRIS National Fair, experience of meeting and interacting my studies.” they continued to work at honing their with Nobel laureates at the Fair, and design. They attended two Coaching the tremendous exposure he got, All said and done, Intel ISEF was a life Camps during which they developed helped him make up his mind about changing experience for Debarghya, what became their final design, after targeting a career in research—though and it was possible because of the “We were heroes in our school, and probably still remain so to this day! Multitudes of TV interviews and newspaper reports followed. One day, the library of our school turned into a press conference hall! Awards flowed in from different corners—from the school, and later from our Alumni Association, ASPEXS, as well.”
support that he received from various for having done a ‘complete, neat quarters. He says, “My parents were my engineering project’ at Intel ISEF. I still all time source of support every step of talk to Prof Mistry once in a while when the way—whether giving moral support, I see him online,” says Debarghya. He 144 or running along with me to the plastic also credits Dr Arnab Bhattacharya factory to get the design fabricated, or of the Tata Institute of Fundamental arranging a visit to the pharmacy of a Research and Dr Narayan Iyer with hospital, or to a pharmaceutical factory being always there to help them solve In his free time, Debarghya reads a lot: Debarghya and Anish “storybooks, science fiction, mystery, chilling with another to do our survey.” He also acknowledges various problems. Intel ISEF 2009 winner, the support of his mentor, Mr Partha detective… anything… even a cookbook Vishnu Jayprakash Today, Debarghya, a second year Pratim Roy, who he feels is one of the may interest me, because I am student of Electrical Engineering at best Physics teachers at his alma mater. interested in cooking.” A keen musician, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, looks He is still in touch with him, even if it is he also plays the violin. forward to doing his Masters in the just an occasional phone call. US and, subsequently, research. In Debarghya signs off with a word of Once they were selected to participate the future, he sees himself getting advice to young students interested at Intel ISEF, Debarghya and Anish immersed in cutting edge research in science: “Aim high, dream higher. were assigned Prof J B Mistry, a retired and mainstream academics. He feels Science is about imagination. Mingle professor of Physics from Presidency that every little experience of his over your imagination with your Power of Q!” College, Mumbai, and an SRC member, the years has taught him whatever as their mentor. “We reaped the benefit he knows today, and whatever he is of the guidance we received from Prof learning, some idea or concept is sure Mistry when we received compliments to help him somewhere, sometime. 145 146 The Power of Waste Vishnu Jayaprakash 2009
Chettinad Vidyashram The enthusiastic Class 12 student from After doing some initial research on Chennai Chennai’s Chettinad Vidhyashram spoke different renewable energy technologies, Tamil Nadu with a lot of gravity: “Lack of power is a he decided to focus on microbial fuel crippling problem in rural India. I’m working cell (MFC) technology. “MFCs were on slashing the cost of providing electricity introduced in 1911, and, since then, 147 to India’s 700,000 villages.” It was 2009, a lot of work has been done to make and young Vishnu Jayaprakash was them commercial, but without success,” preparing to represent India at the Intel® says Vishnu. As his goal was to provide International Science and Engineering lighting in rural villages using some Fair (Intel ISEF), held in Reno, Nevada. form of renewable energy, MFCs from Today, Vishnu has taken his dream of organic waste seemed to him to be an generating electricity using low cost, ideal solution. eco-friendly material closer to reality. Vishnu talks proudly of his innovative And, along the way, his work has won work: “I succeeded in making a cow dung A Novel Microbial Fuel Cell Based on him quite a few laurels, including the Inexpensive Graphite Electrodes based MFC that provides much higher Grand Award Second Prize In Energy efficiencies at merely INR 125 per cell, Energy and Transportation and Transportation at Intel ISEF. The compared to the average MFC, which icing on the cake was that, as a result, costs a whopping INR 2,100. This fuel Recognition at Intel ISEF he also qualified to have a minor planet, cell requires no maintenance and has (25620) Jayaprakash, named after him. Minor Planet: (25620) Jayaprakash a lifetime of 70 years. I’ve also replaced Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 Renewable energy technology has the imported carbon paper electrodes in Individual Category always been Vishnu’s area of interest. MFCs with indigenously available, “Although I am still very grateful for winning at the Fair, I cherish the journey more than the reward. The skills I learned, the guidance I received from the IRIS mentors, and the numerous interactions I had with brilliant minds are far more valuable to me than the award.”
low cost graphite sheet electrodes.” He improve the efficiency of the fuel cells perfected the fuel cell in June 2008 and to make a MEMS scale device for under the guidance of Dr T S Natarajan, large scale implementation. They are also Professor of Physics at the Indian presently working towards a publication 148 Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M)— of their work in a major journal. Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP) held in Vishnu displaying his he was the youngest Research Scholar Vishnu’s brilliant work has won him April 2010 for his project. I-SWEEEP is MFC at Intel ISEF 2009 in Prof Natarajan’s research group. considerable recognition, apart from a groundbreaking science fair held in The MFC that Vishnu has developed his Intel ISEF award. At the prestigious Houston, Texas, every year. converts the chemical energy in cow 4th Enertia Awards 2010, the young dung into electrical energy with the research scholar received the Special Vishnu continued his research on his help of organic microbes. Innovation Award and Commendation MFC project. He participated at IRIS once again in 2010, and his project, Today, even as he is doing his Mechanical Prize, which also carried a cash award featuring indigenous membranes in Engineering at the University of California, of INR 75,000 for his project, Microbial addition to inexpensive graphitised Berkeley (UC Berkeley), Vishnu continues Fuel Cell based on Cow Dung to Light carbon fibre electrodes, won him the to work on his invention along with Up Indian Villages with Ultra Bright Best of Category Award at the Fair. Professor Liwei Lin. After getting a LED Lamps. Other winners that year In the same year, he presented his work patent in September 2011 for his fuel included industrial giants like Reliance industries, Suzlon, BHEL and NTPC! at a couple of prestigious conferences cell design, he co-founded a renewable in India, before leaving for his studies at energy startup, Agni Surya Energy Pvt Vishnu also bagged a bronze medal, UC Berkeley. Ltd, which will start distribution in the a cash award and a scholarship at the very near future. He is working with Dr third International Sustainable World Sharing his feelings at being a winner at Lin and Dr Natarajan, his mentor, to (Energy, Engineering & Environment) Intel ISEF, Vishnu says, “It was certainly “My aspiration is to become a serial entrepreneur, a person who will continually make interesting and innovating products. I believe that, in the future, my passion for research and making new products will continue to drive my lifestyle, as it has been doing for the last few years.”
With his mentor, Prof T S Natarajan Vishnu and other winners at IRIS 2008 with Dr Praveen Vishakantaiah, President , Intel India a wondrous moment for me when the been to him “as columns are to the announcer called out my name. In that Pantheon; I owe my success to them.” moment, I felt that my research and He credits his mentor, Prof Natarajan, the hard hours I had put in had been who has supported him ever since recognised. I was also elated that I was Vishnu began working at his lab, saying, 149 able to bring pride to our country on “I wouldn’t be where I am without his the international stage. Although I am mentorship and support.” Prof Natarajan still very grateful for winning at the was not only his mentor for his Intel Fair, I cherish the journey more than the ISEF project, but, over the last three reward. The skills I learned, the guidance and half years, he has also guided him I received from the IRIS mentors, and through his work on cow dung based the numerous interactions I had with students, and teaching two classes at fuel cells. “To simply list the means by brilliant minds are far more valuable to IIT-M! He has always found time for me, which he has motivated and helped me, me than the award.” guided me through the paths of not just I would have to spend more than two academic research but nearly everything His brother, Agni Jayaprakash, and his hours, and, even so, my efforts would else as well. If there is such a person as parents have been his inspiration. His be futile. For one thing, he let me into a perfect mentor, he would be it.” brother’s international achievements his lab when I was still a Class 10 in swimming (he is currently training student, with little experience with Dr Arnab Bhattacharyya, too, he says, for the London Olympics!) have always practical research; and, for another, he contributed a lot towards his work, from pushed him to “work hard in order accompanied me to IRIS and Intel ISEF, fine tuning the style of his presentation to prove myself worthy of being his despite having to mentor a handful of to spotting abnormalities in his data. brother.” His mother and father have postdocs and a large body of graduate “His supportive and calming presence before the presentations, juxtaposed will continually make interesting and with his stern criticism during the innovating products. I believe that, in camps, made him a very good mentor,” the future, my passion for research and says Vishnu. making new products will continue to drive my lifestyle, as it has been doing 150 He describes his experiences at Intel for the last few years.” ISEF as being “a very humbling and He has a wealth of advice for young exciting experience for me.” The prospect of working through the night Vishnu receives his innovators. “Be sure that you have a opportunity to interact with hundreds for two months at a stretch, and finding award at the ENERTIA of research oriented students from passion for science and technology,” he Awards 2010 (above out at the end of it that their work left); and working on his says. “If you are getting into research across the globe, who all wanted to wasn’t good enough. But that is a small MFC at a farm in the US solely because you want to go to (above) contribute to science and technology, part of what scientists and engineers Intel ISEF, or to boost your resume was enriching. He was most inspired do. So be sure that you love it.” by the Nobel Laureates—he found their for college/grad school, or because He adds, “If you figure out that you humility and knowledge very inspiring. someone is forcing you into it, then I don’t think research is for you. I say this would love to work on something, don’t Apart from cow dung based fuel because research involves a lot of work, let it go, no matter what. Get help. If cells, Vishnu has his fingers in other and sometimes a lot of frustration. you are in a major city, look to the IITs, pies as well. He is also working on Steve Jobs also felt this way about email professors, get meetings with concentrated photo voltaics, and he is making innovative products, if you don’t them, and talk to them. You don’t need on the way to co-found two software love it, if you don’t love the process, a research background, but you do need startups. “My aspiration is to become you are not going to be very successful. to know what you are talking about, so a serial entrepreneur, a person who Sane people would walk away from the read related scientific articles before Vishnu is much more than a science buff who subscribes to and regularly reads science and technology publications. This budding young scientist has bagged four bronze medals in National Swimming Championships.
you approach professors. If you email reads science and technology publications. 20 professors, one of them may accept This budding young scientist has bagged you. If you don’t have a specific idea yet, four bronze medals in National Swimming ask the professor if he will allow you to Championships, and won the Best work on a project that he or a graduate Overseas Entry Award in 2004 from 151 student is already working on, which the Royal Astronomical Society in the UK is in your area of interest. Chances are, for his essay on the planet Venus. And they could use help anyway.” if there is any free time at all in his packed schedule, he scores in basketball as well! And finally: “Intel ISEF was a really good experience for me, but don’t stop there, or don’t let it stop you if you don’t get selected. To be completely honest, your performance in a science fair depends a little on your presentation skills. So, if your interest is science and technology, your goals should be to make better products, and to get a patent or to publish a paper. Your idea could be the next Facebook.”
Vishnu is much more than a science buff who subscribes to and regularly A Passion For The Environment 2009 & 2011 Hetal Kanjibhai Vaishnav
Late Shree S G Dholakiya Memorial High School Rajkot Gujarat
Recycled Composite Material Made from Non-Recyclable Multilayer Film 152 Plastic Packaging Waste (2009) Recycling Rexine Waste: A Novel and Economical Approach (2011) Environmental Management Recognition at Intel ISEF 2009 Minor Planet: (25636) Vaishnav Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 Individual Category Second Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond by AVASC Foundation Ricoh Sustainable Development Award of USD 12,500 Second Award of USD 200 by Patent and Trademark Office Society Recognition at Intel ISEF 2011 Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 Team Category Hetal at Intel ISEF 2011 with her brother, Ankur (right); with a judge at IRIS 2010 (middle); and at Intel ISEF 2009 (far right)
In 2009, Hetal Vaishnav hit the jackpot Because, in 2011, Hetal proved, yet in Reno. And, no, it wasn’t in the famous again, that diligence and perseverance— casinos of this Nevada town that she and plenty of determination—is a did so; it was at the Intel® International winning combination, as she proceeded illustrated a novel and cost effective Science & Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), to win the Grand Award Second Prize process to create composite material 153 which was held in Reno that year. at Intel ISEF 2011 in Los Angeles, using non-recyclable plastic waste, California, this time for a team project thereby preventing it from being dumped Hetal was a Class 10 student at the with Ankur. in landfills. Late Shree S G Dholakiya High School, Rajkot, when she represented Team Today, Hetal is not quite out of her The genesis of her project was a chance India at Intel ISEF, and won the Grand teens, but she can consider herself a observation. Hetal saw that a ragpicker Award Second Prize in Environmental past master at research. She competed was not collecting waste packets made Management, and as may as three at the Initiative for Research & up of multilayer plastic. She wondered Special Awards. What’s more, she qualified Innovation in Science (IRIS) National Fair why—and found out that this was for the rare celestial honour of having for five consecutive years since 2006; because recycling companies do not purchase multilayer film plastic waste, a minor planet named after her. So, for and in each of the last three years, from 2008 to 2010, she was a National as it cannot be reused or recycled. It was two years now, Hetal has been on top of Award winner at IRIS. The story of her then that Hetal decided to work on the the world—quite literally so, as the minor triumphs started at the IRIS National idea of recycling this material. After planet (25636) Vaishnav has been Fair 2008, where she submitted her considerable research and hard work, looking down on earth from the heavens! project on Recycled Composite Material she found her answer: a process that And very soon she will have her Made from Non-recyclable Multilayer would deliver an innovative material younger brother, Ankur, for company. Film Plastic Packaging Waste, which that is sustainable to water, has good “I just wanted to live the experience of being at something as splendid as Intel ISEF. I was content after winning three Special Awards; the Grand Award was just a topping on my ice cream!”
nail- and screw-holding capacity, and topping on my ice cream!”, said Hetal sheer joy and amazement at this has features that are better than MDF after her win. achievement: “I had no expectations and plywood. Adjudged a National Winner of winning, and was extremely happy A year later, the minor planet (25636) in the Environmental Sciences category, when I did, and learnt that a minor Vaishnav was christened after Hetal by Hetal was shortlisted to participate at planet was named after me.” 154 the prestigious Lincoln Laboratory of the Intel ISEF 2009 in Reno. Excited, she Massachusetts Institute of Technology She realised then that she “had potential prepared diligently for the big event. (MIT) in Boston. She responded with and would like to realise it further”. At Intel ISEF, she won award after award for her project: the Ricoh Sustainable Hetal sharing a happy Development Award of USD 12,500, moment with her brother and parents (left) the Second Award of USD 200 and a citation from the Patent and Trademark Office Society, and the Second Award of a USD 500 Savings Bond from the Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty (AVASC) Foundation. But what made her day was the Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500. “I just wanted to live the experience of being at something as splendid as Intel ISEF. I was content after winning three Special Awards; the Grand Award was just a There were more encomiums that were in store for Hetal. At IGNITE 2010, an event organised in November 2010 by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an autonomous body under the 155 Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, the former President A P J Abdul Kalam honoured Hetal with the third prize for her invention. Meanwhile, in 2008, she had teamed up with her brother, Ankur, who was studying at Shree P V Modi School, Rajkot, for their first project together. Again, their project grew out of a random observation. Extremely fine tuned to their environment, the duo noticed dense smoke when they were at Ukarda village near Rajkot, and found out that the farmers were burning agricultural waste. They decided to find ways of utilising this waste, rather than let it go up in smoke and pollute the environment. During a visit to her father’s factory, Hetal noticed heaps of rexine scrap left over after executing an order. She learnt from her father that this scrap could not be recycled—in fact, rexine is not recyclable anywhere in the world today. Hetal was aware of the environmental hazard that this would cause. This set her thinking, and soon, her project idea was born.
from Spoiled Garlic, at the IRIS National Once again, it was Hetal’s curiosity and Fair 2009 in Ahmedabad, they won the keen observation that started them on first prize in Environmental Science. the project. During a visit to her father’s They also won an Honourable Mention factory, Hetal noticed heaps of rexine 156 for this project at the International scrap left over after executing an order. Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering She learnt from her father that this & Environment) Project Olympiad scrap could not be recycled—in fact, (I-SWEEEP) in Houston, Texas, in 2010. rexine is not recyclable anywhere in the world today. Hetal was aware of the Hetal and Ankur tried different methods, Not one to rest on her laurels, Hetal environmental hazard that this would such as grinding and heating, to extract was back in USA, yet again, a year later. cause. This set her thinking, and soon, fibres from agricultural waste to make She and Ankur had been selected to her project idea was born. an eco-friendly board. The siblings spent represent Team India for Intel ISEF. nearly 18 months to prepare a plank, The two years since her spectacular She roped in her brother, with whom at a cost of nearly INR 250,000. At the performance in Reno had made a lot she had now formed a successful team, end of it, they made a board from rotten of difference to her outlook. The shy and who was also extremely interested garlic and the waste generated during young girl had metamorphosed into in research. The sister-brother duo found the process of extraction of foodgrains. a confident, budding scientist, who an economical solution to the problem This board, they say, can be used to was definite that her team would win by separating the fabric and polymeric make furniture. When Hetal and Ankur an award at the prestigious event for components of rexine using a cryogenic presented their project, Eco Friendly their project, Recycling Rexine Waste— grinding technique in a modified kitchen Particle Board Made from Agricultural A Novel and Economical Approach. And mixer. This was their project entry at Waste Using Natural Binder Derived win they did! the IRIS National Fair 2010. When they Hetal getting her award from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, former President of India, at IGNITE 2010
Her father, in turn, is extremely proud of her, and is determined to encourage and support her in her pursuit of her goals. He says that she has already done what he could not achieve in his life.
won the National Award, and were changing. The opportunity to interact shortlisted to be a part of Team India with brilliant minds helped her grow as at Intel ISEF, their joy knew no bounds. a person. In her words: “My journeys from Hetal says, “I felt very lucky at having IRIS to Intel ISEF have been unforgettable. got two chances to represent India at On both occasions, I met many scientists, 157 Intel ISEF.” Nobel Prize winners, and students from At Intel ISEF 2011, both brother and different countries, which was indeed sister were delighted when they won a great and memorable experience. I also the Grand Award Second Prize in got the rare opportunity to interact with Environmental Management. Of her renowned scientists like Robert F Curl, second experience at the Fair, Hetal Bell, Ager, and others.” says, “This time I was more confident, Hetal takes pride in the support her and could communicate with the judges parents have given her across the years. with ease. I also interacted more with Her father, in turn, is extremely proud of other participants, and spent a lot her, and is determined to encourage and of time understanding their projects support her in her pursuit of her goals. as well. This was a great learning He says that she has already done what experience, as it gave me insights into he could not achieve in his life. All Hetal’s different aspects of research across experiments are conducted at his subject categories.” workshop, where he executes orders Not surprisingly, Hetal says that her that require injection moulding, specifically experiences at Intel ISEF were life pressure diecasting of zinc and aluminium. Hetal is also concurrently working on another science project out of her sheer interest in, and passion for, science. You can find her most evenings at her father’s factory, even at 9 pm, working on her project.
Hetal and Ankur expalin their project to a judge at the IRIS National Fair in 2010
Her mother ensures that Hetal “eats Hetal is also concurrently working on well, sleeps well, and is able to wake another science project out of her sheer up at all odd hours when she has to interest in, and passion for, science. work!” Hetal also acknowledges the You can find her most evenings at her 158 invaluable support that their cousin and father’s factory, even at 9 pm, working guide, Vaibhav Ramani, who is doing a on her project. Wistful that she is now Ph D in Chemistry from the Saurashtra not eligible to participate in Intel ISEF, University at Rajkot, has given them. she is on the look out for science competitions that college students can At 19, Hetal is currently in the first year participate in. of her B Sc course in Chemistry at the M & N Virani Science College in Rajkot. In the world outside her father’s workshop This summer, she will take part in a two and her labs, Hetal finds time to play month Summer Internship Program for chess and watch movies, and she says students at the Indian Institute of Science that she loves to draw and sketch. Education and Research (IISER) in Pune. She will be conducting research in conductive polymers under Dr Nirmalya Ballav, Assistant Professor, Nanoscience, Self-Assembled Monolayers, Electron- Beam-Lithography, and Molecular Spintronics at the Institute, during her internship. A Very Special Flower Kaushik Srivatsan K 2010
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Mandya Karnataka
159
Investigation of Antimicrobial Property of Ervatamia Coronaria Flower
Plant Sciences
Recognition at Intel ISEF
Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 Individual Category
Second Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond – AVASC Foundation “The widespread use of the flower, commonly found in Karnataka and tropical areas, for eye infections is based on tradition, and my aim was to experimentally establish the anti-microbial properties.”
Kaushik being felicitated by Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development in New Delhi
Kaushik Srivatsan was intrigued. All Kaushik powdered the shade-dried he was one of National Winners. That Kaushik with his family (right) around him, he found people using the flowers and did a methanol extract. booked his ticket to San Jose, California, flowers of thenandibattalu plant to treat He conducted experiments, and his for Intel ISEF 2010, where he won the infections of the eye, and they seemed tests showed significant presence of Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 160 to work. But he could not find any active ingredients against microbes in Plant Sciences, and also the Second scientific evidence or documentation to ranging from human pathogens like Award of US Savings Bonds worth explain how—or why—it worked. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia USD 500 from the AVASC Foundation. coli, to a few fungi of the Fusarium The nandibattalu (crepe jasmine, Intel ISEF 2010 was a dream come true genus, which are plant pathogens. or Ervatamia coronaria to give it its for Kaushik. “The sheer magnitude and He decided that the flower extract is botanical name), is widely seen across grandeur of the event that I experienced indeed a narrow spectrum antibiotic. first hand still baffles me, and makes me India and other tropical countries, Preliminary phytochemical analysis proud that I could represent my country prettying up the landscape with its showed that the active component at this forum. This Fair exposed me to fragrant white flowers. likely belongs to the alkaloid class the best science projects and people of compounds. The widespread use of the flower to and world-class facilities. At Intel ISEF, cure conjunctivitis and sties is based Inspired by the success of his three I was also very excited to meet students on traditional Ayurveda, and Kaushik, senior school mates who had participated of my age from various countries, who a Class 11 student at the Jawahar at the Intel® International Science and had worked in different aspects of Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Mandya, Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) since 2005, science. I also got an opportunity to Karnataka, set out to experimentally and with their encouragement, he took meet many Nobel Laureates. At the pin establish the anti-microbial properties his project forward. It was selected for exchange programme, our Indian tricolour that would explain its effectiveness. the IRIS National Fair in 2009, where flag pin was in so much demand that 161 “We, as a team, enjoyed ourselves a lot. We laughed and chatted all the time—we shared some of our happiest moments together.”
Kaushik with Mr Rahul Bedi, former Director, Corporate Affairs Group, Intel India (left); and addressing the gathering at the Sixth Innovation Summit at Bangalore, organised by CII (right)
I could exchange one for two pins!”, Resource Development, in the presence with me. I would specially mention reminisces Kaushik. “We, as a team, of the Commissioner of the Navodaya Dr Rai, Head of the Department of Micro enjoyed ourselves a lot. We laughed and Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS). Later, Kaushik Biology at the University of Mysore, chatted all the time—we shared some was also invited by Mr Rahul Bedi, who who got me the permission to use the 162 of our happiest moments together.” was Director, Corporate Affairs at Intel University’s lab facilities, even though He adds, “I was thrilled to see the other India at the time, to participate in the school students are not allowed to projects in the Plant Science category, Sixth Innovation Summit at Bangalore, work there; and Dr Satish, also from the and saw all the hard work and research organised by the Confederation of same Department, who guided me as everyone had put in.” Indian Industry (CII). “Rahul Sir made me I did all my preliminary work. Dr Geetha feel like a hero by putting me on the Prashant, from the Bio Technology As a person, the whole experience of same platform with eminent scientists, Department, and research scholars participation was enriching for him. industrialists and entrepreneurs,” Rakshith and Alok were all very helpful The most memorable moments, he says Kaushik. while I did my research at the University. recalls, were when he was appreciated I was also supported by Dr Nagaveni Kaushik feels honoured and thankful by the judges, and when his name was at the Institute of Wood Science and at the opportunity he got to represent announced for the Category Award. Technology, Bangalore, and Dr Pooja India. He is grateful for the support Ravikumar at Vittal Mallya Science And the best part was that the glory that he received from everyone at JNV Research Foundation, Bangalore.” did not end with the Fair. On his return Mandya and the NVS, and from a host from Intel ISEF, his biology teacher of people in the scientific community. Kaushik received tremendous support and he were honoured at a glittering “All this would not have been possible from his family and friends while he award ceremony at New Delhi by without the support of the scientists was engaged with researching his Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human who shared their knowledge and time project. Giving an insight into Kaushik’s Glimpses of Kaushik at Intel ISEF 2010
An elated Kaushik says he plans to conduct further studies on the effective-ness of E coronaria on skin infections, and hopes to bring out new herbal anti-microbial drugs.
childhood, his mother, Uma, who is an up research in science. Ten years from English teacher at JNV Mandya, says, now, I would like to see myself as “Kaushik was always very curious someone who has made a substantial and also very mature for his age. He contribution towards the vision of wouldn’t get distracted. I feel he has Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.” 163 great potential and I have many things This multifaceted young man is to learn from him.” passionate about solving Sudoku and An elated Kaushik says he plans to other puzzles, and going for walks in conduct further studies on the effective- open spaces is his hobby. “You can also ness of E coronaria on skin infections, find my nose diving deep into novels. and hopes to bring out new herbal Cooking is the other domain where I anti-microbial drugs. experiment with the possibilities of variations on mainstream dishes— Advising young students interested though that often lands me in a soup!” in science and technology, he says, he says. “Science is Fun. Let’s take up science for science’s sake.” Currently, Kaushik is preparing for entrance examinations for the IITs and other engineering colleges, as well as for M Sc courses. He has his blueprint for the future in place: “I aspire to take Winning Twice? Q E D! 2010 & 2011 Manosij Ghosh Dastidar
South Point High School Winning once at the Intel® International Integer Partitions and Sequences. As a Kolkata Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) Grand Award Second Prize Winner, he West Bengal is hard enough. Manosij Ghosh Dastidar has also been gifted a minor planet has done so twice, in successive years… in his name—the process of naming the 164 2010 and that, too, in different subject planet is currently under way—by the Design of a Novel, Low Cost, Easy to Use, categories! Talk about versatility! Lincoln Laboratory of the Massachusetts Auto-Disposable Syringe In 2010, Manosij and Anarta Roy, both Institute of Technology (MIT). Electrical and Mechanical Engineering students of South Point High School, Asked how he felt at receiving his second Recognition at Intel ISEF Kolkata, won the Grand Award Third Grand Award and the gift of a minor Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1,000 Prize of USD 1,000 for Team Projects planet, Manosij says simply, “I felt happy Team Category for their Electrical and Mechanical that my work was recognised.” Engineering project, Design of a Novel, 2011 Low Cost, Easy to Use, Auto-Disposable He says that participating at the Intel ISEF gave him exposure beyond his Integer Partitions and Sequences Syringe, at the San Jose edition of Intel ISEF. The following year, at Los Angeles, imagination. Mathematics has been his Mathematical Sciences he decided to do it alone—this time in passion since he was a child, and he had Recognition at Intel ISEF Mathematical Sciences! And he went decided on being a mathematician even Minor Planet: Naming Process Under Way one better than the previous year, before he went to Intel ISEF, but he is Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 winning two awards: the Grand Award nonetheless very grateful for the Individual Category Second Prize of USD 1,500, and a First exposure that Intel ISEF provided, and First Award of USD 1,000 Award of USD 1,000 from the American for the friends he made with a number – American Mathematical Society Mathematical Society for his project, of talented people who are, or will 165 Prof Stanley acknowledged Manosij’s work, saying, “Your theorem is new and I find your work interesting.” He was also interested to know whether Manosij proved his theorem using combinatorics.
Manosij at the IRIS National Fair 2010
eventually become, prominent members was able to face the probing questions Manosij had a lot of fun doing his research, of the mathematical community. of the judges at Intel ISEF with under the mentorship of Prof Subha assurance. At the Fair, three persons Roy Moitra, Professor In-Charge of As a case in point, Manosij recalls with pleasure his interactions with the guru from the American Mathematical Applied Statistics at the Indian Statistical 166 of Number Theory, Prof Richard P Stanley, Society came together and grilled him Institute (ISI). He also had the help of Professor of Applied Mathematics at MIT. with questions, all at the same time! A Mr Saurabh Sengupta, a doctoral student Prof Stanley has made many pioneering self assured and mature Manosij found under Prof Moitra at ISI. He acknow- contributions to the field of math called this interaction “extremely interesting”. ledges the unstinting support his parents and his mathematics teacher in school, combinatorics. In addition, he has forcefully His passion for mathematics was Mrs Sharmila Roy, gave him, which were and with great originality contributed awakened early in Manosij’s life. As a child, instrumental in his success. For his to the discovery of new connections his father bought him many books on team project the previous year, Manosij between combinatorics and other areas puzzles, which had a math flavour to and Anarta had their school teacher, of mathematics. Manosij was elated them. In Class 9, he was presented a Mr Partha Pratim Roy, as their mentor. with Prof Stanley’s feedback on his book, Elementary Number Theory, by paper: he acknowledged Manosij’s work, his father, and since then Manosij has Of his Intel ISEF experiences, Manosij saying, “Your theorem is new, and I find not looked back. In Class 11, he read says, “It was memorable interacting with your work interesting.” He was also a book, Mathematical Gems, by Ross mathematicians and Nobel laureates. interested to know whether Manosij Honberger. In this, he came across I saw a lot of math, and became aware proved his theorem using combinatorics. Stanley’s theorem, and realised that of areas in the subject I was ignorant The inspiration Manosij got from this numbers per se are not important, but about. I learnt a lot from this exposure. feedback was tremendous. He gained the way they behave is. And the rest I also made a lot of good friends, and confidence by leaps and bounds, and is history. today, post school, I am more in touch “It was memorable interacting with mathematicians and Nobel laureates. I saw a lot of math, and became aware of areas in the subject I was ignorant about. I learnt a lot from this exposure. I also made a lot of good friends, and today, post school, I am more in touch with my Intel ISEF friends than with my school friends!”
with my Intel ISEF friends than with my school friends!” He feels that, during his second experience at Intel ISEF, he made better friends, since, during his first experience, he was “more soaked 167 up in the event to have fun.” His one overarching thought at that time was: “I am coming back next year!” The second time round, in 2011, he was more relaxed, Manosij with his teammate, Anarta Roy, at and found it easier to interact with Intel ISEF 2010 the judges, whom he longer found intimidating. Practice had made perfect! Since high school, Manosij has been very clear that he wants to become a researcher, and given his passion for math—and number theory in particular— his choice of subject was natural. Today, he aspires to do more research in the subject, as the abstract continues to fascinate him. He finds number theory the purest branch of math as, in his words, “it is unsullied by applications!” 168 Today, Manosij aspires to do more research in the subject, as the abstract continues to fascinate him. He finds number theory the purest branch of math as, he quotes, “it is unsullied by applications!”
Manosij with his mother After the euphoria of his second win at Literature, Music, Technology or Apart from reading and blogging, Manosij at his Kolkata residence Intel ISEF, his quest to take up research Philosophy. finds time to nurture his personal hobbies in mathematics has hit a bit of a road of writing short stories and poems, all of While he waits for things to fall into block. He explains, “I missed the entrance which is, he says, Q E D (quite easily done)! place, Manosij continues his research examination for a particular mathematics into number theory. He has published 169 institute in India, where I would have a paper, Extension of Stanley’s Theorem liked to study, because it took place during for Integer Partitions, which will soon the time at which Intel ISEF was being be available on arXiv, an Internet based held. No exceptions could be made for me. repository, hosted and operated by I would have liked it if I could have been Cornell University, for preprints of considered for an alternative exam or interview later on.” scientific papers in physics, astronomy, mathematics, computer science, He shares his experience that, in India, nonlinear science, quantitative biology most institutes are unaware of the and, most recently, statistics. scope of Intel ISEF, and that there are no provisions to support participation at Like others who have proved their the Fair, unlike in the US. He cites the mettle at Intel ISEF, Manosij believes Davidson Fellows Scholarship as an that unwavering focus on your example: scholarships are awarded to goals is half the battle won. He says, extraordinary young people, 18 and “Pursue whatever goals you have set under, who have completed a significant for yourself, don’t leave any question piece of work in Mathematics, Science, unanswered.” 170 A Special Chemistry Raghavendra Ramachanderan 2011
St. John’s International Residential School It was the day young Raghavendra That also meant that he would now Chennai Ramachanderan completed his Class 12 have a minor planet named after him Tamil Nadu board exams at St John’s International under the Ceres Connection program Residential School, Chennai. A major of the Lincoln Laboratory at the academic milestone, surely, for any child. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 171 But, while his classmates and other kids Of his first win at Intel ISEF, and on being in his place were busy celebrating the gifted a minor planet, Raghavendra momentous occasion, Raghavendra says, “It feels good. Definitely. But what was boarding a flight to Germany, to gives me the tingles is that scientists fine tune his Chemistry project for whom I have always dreamt of meeting the Intel® International Science and found my work highly impressive. Their Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) to be held congratulations and best wishes for Drug Synthesis: in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May 2012. my future is what I cherish the most.” Braving Legendary Challenges This will be Raghavendra’s second trip He was immensely excited when he Chemistry to Intel ISEF. In 2011, he was one of the first heard that a minor planet would be named after him, but now he looks at it Recognition at Intel ISEF nine member team that represented India at the Intel ISEF in Los Angeles, as something that inspires him “to want Minor Planet: Naming Process Under Way to do even more”. California. He came back triumphant: he Best of Category Award of USD 5,000 won the Best of Category Award—the “I’m overwhelmed by the support that for Chemistry for Top First Place Winner first ever Indian student to do so—as I’m getting and it feels like I’m on cloud Grand Award First Prize of USD 3,000 well as the Grand Award First Prize for nine. But every time this thought comes Individual Category his Chemistry project. to my head, I see the huge landscape “Thoughts constantly invade my head. Ideas begin to flow gradually, and it is a picturesque view to see the puzzle pieces coming together on their own. I don’t work a lot to get an idea – rather, it comes to me. A hypothesis that sticks in my head drills on itself to become a full fledged plan.”
I’m yet to tread on, and that’s quite Intensely involved with chemistry, application of organic chemistry to the At IRIS 2010 (below left); intimidating—yet it keeps my feet on medical sciences is what fascinates me speaking at the felicitation Raghavendra—with a clarity of thought ceremony at his school the ground.” amazing in one so young—talks about the most. The chemistry of anti-cancer (centre), and at Intel ISEF compounds and antibiotics are perhaps in May 2011 (below) The speeches by Nobel Laureates, what his love for the subject: “Chemistry is the coolest things ever! ” 172 they had to say about science, and their an amazing subject that can sweep world view gave Raghavendra a whole my mind away from most thoughts. Giving us a glimpse into his brilliant mind, new perspective about everything. He The subject grew on me, and its he says,”Thoughts constantly invade my says, “I would want to become someone details began to somehow aggregate head. Ideas begin to flow gradually, and as wealthy with knowledge some into ideas that developed over time. it is a picturesque view to see the puzzle day.” The students’ projects at the fair So, what began as child like curiosity pieces coming together on their own. impressed him equally. He had a great manifested itself in abstract ways into I don’t work a lot to get an idea – rather, time interacting with Russian students, focused ideas by careful thought. The it comes to me. A hypothesis that sticks for example, on complex reaction synthesis, which not only inspired him but also gave him a sense of healthy competition. He says, “This is a journey I will never forget, it was a week full of surprises, the best time of my life... yet!” He says, “My intentions for the future were quite clear even before Intel ISEF, but yes, ISEF did reinforce the thoughts that hovered around in my head”. Raghavendra working in the lab at the University of Regensburg
in my head drills on itself to become a full fledged plan.” The person who ignited his love for Chemistry is Prof Subramaniyam, who was his chemistry teacher at St John’s. 173 “Subramaniyam Sir explained the mole concept, relatively boring among all the chapters in Chemistry, with such simplicity that I was hooked for life,” he says. Bitten by the bug, Raghavendra immersed himself in the subject. “The magic of things, but he was not speaking like a Chemistry Lab at the University. His chemistry lies hidden in books. It takes child. He knew exactly where is passion work on anti-fungal drugs was done time to unearth that,” he says, recalling was,” says his father, R Ramachanderan. here, times when he would go back again and and that led to Raghavendra’s National Thus began Raghavendra’s journey that again to chapters he found interesting. Award at IRIS Mumbai in 2010. took him to Los Angeles for Intel ISEF. Two years ago, Raghavendra went to Prof Raghunathan Ragavachary of the After that, he continued his work at the his parents with a plan that, at least in University of Madras lent an invaluable Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, was quite unheard of: he wanted guiding hand on the way. Raghavendra where he got an opportunity to work on to take a break from school after Class recalls how Dr Ragavachary listened to other molecules under the mentorship 10, and devote himself to Chemistry. his project idea patiently, and gave him of Prof S Chandrasekaran, who always “Normally parents wouldn’t allow such the opportunity to work in his Organic encouraged Raghavendra to “do more.” For the first time in the University of Regensgurg’s history, a fast track undergraduate program of just 12-15 months has been designed especially for him! Raghavendra is excited, and looks forward to being in Germany, “where all I’ll be expected to do is chemistry”.
It is under Dr Chandrasekaran’s guidance fuel back to usable fuel again. I took that Raghavendra’s award winning project, a break from the medicinal aspect of Drug Synthesis: Braving Legendary chemistry, just out of curiosity, but Challenges, took final shape. the results are bewilderingly beautiful. I am looking at this reaction with an 174 Raghavendra shares that there are still application-oriented perspective.” He a few loose ends that he wants to fix continues, “I cannot wait to get back to in his project on Drug Synthesis that Intel ISEF!” brought him glory at Intel ISEF. After that, he says, its up to his professors, and how With deep gratitude, Raghavendra talks they wish to continue the work. But about the support he has received from he has high hopes for the project, as his school. The Principal, Dr R Kishore he feels it has a vast unexplored future Kumar, gave him permission to go to that he’s excited about. Germany for five months to work on his current project—right in the middle of To Raghavendra, his Los Angeles triumph Class 12! His reachers pitched in, and was just a stepping stone. “Having grown helped him complete his syllabus in just on so many levels after Intel ISEF 2011, The University obviously rates the young a couple of months! I am submitting a project again this year, genius very highly—for the first time in titled Visible Light Deoxygenation— On the Visible Light Deoxygenation their history, a fast track undergraduate Molecules as Energy Tanks. The project, Raghavendra has done a large program of just 12-15 months has been project attempts to use sunlight as an part of his research at the University of designed especially for him! Raghavendra energy source to drive complex reactions Regensburg in Germany, with guidance is excited, and looks forward to being in that could convert a few forms of used and assistance from Dr Oliver Reiser. Germany, “where all I’ll be expected to “Follow your thoughts, but chase your dreams. Science can change the way mankind identifies itself—embrace that fact, and be a part of the revolution!”
Raghavendra at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore do is chemistry”. No ordinary teenager and online, that keep him engrossed. not have gotten better. I got support this, that’s for sure! His father feels that, besides his innate from all sides, and each person has been indispensable in constructing my Raghavendra’s career plans are quite inclination towards the subject, it is his clearly laid out. He is clear that he usage of the Internet that has helped life so far. But, yes, I am a little greedy wants to pursue a career as a scientist him focus and learn more. for more blessings from the Almighty. 175 Other than that, nothing more!” —a chemical biologist to be precise. After Raghavendra explains it differently, “If his Bachelor’s in Chemistry, he intends you love science, science loves you back to do his Master’s in Bio Chemistry, —it is unusually rewarding. Chemistry can RAGHAVENDRA TRIUMPHS AGAIN! during which time he would like to be unpredictable, but I don’t stop hoping!” publish a few papers. Subsequently, As we go to press, there’s more great He tells young students: “Follow your he will aim for a PhD at an Ivy League thoughts, but chase your dreams. news. At Intel ISEF 2012, Raghavendra college, hopefully under Prof Stubbe, Science can change the way mankind has not only won the Best of Category the Novartis Professor of Chemistry identifies itself—embrace that fact, and Award and the Grand Award First Prize and Biology at the Massachusetts be a part of the revolution!” in Chemistry once again, he has gone Institute of Technology. “I’ll do my one better: he has become the first best throughout, but where I’ll reach is Raghavendra firmly believes in Socrates’ Indian to win the Dudley R Herschbach something even I keep wondering.” dictum, “I cannot teach anybody anything, SIYSS Award, which includes an all- I can only make them think”, and, to him, While he is definitely obsessed with expense-paid trip to the Stockholm “My professors have inspired me by the chemistry, Raghavendra loves reading International Youth Science Seminar fact that they exist!” novels and playing the veena, which (SIYSS) in December 2012—and the helps him unwind. But most of the He goes on to say, “Everything worked opportunity to attend the Nobel time, he it’s chemistry journals, in print out quite well for me, and things could Prize ceremonies! 176 Like Sister, Like Brother Ankur Kanjibhai Vaishnav 2011
Shree P V Modi High School When his name was called out at Laboratory at the Massachusetts Rajkot the Awards Ceremony at the Intel® Institute of Technology. Gujarat International Science and Engineering Like his sister, Ankur, too, is passionate Fair (Intel ISEF) in 2011, Ankur’s about the environment, and, even joy knows no bounds. With childlike before her triumphant trip to Reno, 177 exuberance he says, “It felt truly great Nevada, in 2009, Hetal and he had when we won the award. It is my life’s teamed up for their first project greatest achievement, it’s like WOW!” together: Eco Friendly Particle Board His sister, Hetal, has always been a Made from Agricultural Waste Using great inspiration to Ankur, all the more so Natural Binder Derived from Spoiled when she won the Grand Award Second Garlic. It took them 18 months and an Prize in Environmental Management at investment of nearly INR 250,000 to Intel ISEF 2009, and had a minor planet get their solution right. Recycling Rexine Waste: A Novel —(25636) Vaishnav—named after her. They presented it at the IRIS National and Economical Approach Very soon, Ankur will give his sister Fair in 2009, and they won the first Environmental Management company in the firmament–quite literally prize in Environmental Science. In so! Because when the two of them won April the following year, they won Recognition at Intel ISEF the Grand Award Second Prize at Intel an Honourable Mention at the Minor Planet: Naming Process Under Way ISEF, he, too, qualified to have a minor International Sustainable World (Energy, Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 planet named after him under the Ceres Engineering & Environment) Project Team Category Connection program of the Lincoln Olympiad (I-SWEEEP) in Houston, Texas. Ankur and Hetal have applied for patents for their project, as they are interested in commercialising it—they are convinced that it will be of great benefit to the environment and to society.
were selected to represent India at Intel vision in our study, and without whose ISEF 2011 in Los Angeles. blessings this task could have not been accomplished. So we devote our great Today, Ankur and Hetal have applied emotions to Him who controls the for patents for their project, as they are whole universe.” 178 interested in commercialising it—they are Ankur and Hetal at the IRIS National Fair 2010 (above); and with Dr Praveen Vishakantaiah, convinced that it will be of great benefit There are a host of other individuals President, Intel India, at the Fair (below) to the environment and to society. and institutions who helped them at various stages of their project, and he Ankur takes pride in the support he Flushed with their success, the siblings is eternally grateful to all of them. has received from his parents. He says, took up another project, this time to find Among them are Mr Rasikbhai Tilwa, “They, especially my father, have helped a way of dealing with rexine waste, like a manufacturer of plastic products; what they found in their father’s factory. us in many things related to our project. his school, Shree P V Modi School; They were quite surprised to find that Our father constantly motivates us; he is the Departments of Chemistry and nowhere in the world was there a way the source of our energy and the governor Physics at Saurashtra University, Rajkot; to recycle rexine. of our work.” He also has tremendous Junagadh Agricultural University; AUM regard for their cousin, Vaibhav Ramani, Creations, Rajkot; the R K College of The sister-brother duo developed a way who is doing his doctorate in Chemistry Engineering and Technology, Rajkot; of separating the fabric and polymeric at the Saurashtra University, Rajkot, and and the National Small Industries components in rexine, using a cryogenic who has been a guide to them. Corporation, Rajkot. grinding technique in a modified kitchen mixer. This novel and economical Ankur believes that Hetal and he have Of Intel ISEF, Ankur says, “Being one solution made them National Winners been quite fortunate, and thanks the of the 1,500 participants who had at the IRIS National Fair 2010, and they divine force that “offered us absolute been selected from across the world, A moment to celebrate: Ankur and Hetal receive their prize as National Winners at IRIS 2010 and being under the same roof with them, was truly a great experience—as were the opportunities to meet Nobel laureates and the Question and Answer session with them. I will never forget 179 these experiences in my whole life.”
His visit to the Los Angeles Fair had a profound impact on Ankur as a person. His way of thinking, especially about research, has changed dramatically. He now he is clear that a career in research under Dr Harinath Chakrapani, Assistant admits that he has now started looking is what he would like to pursue, as he Professor of Chemistry at the institute. at things in a systematic and scientific can then “give back to society”. Ankur wants to do his B Sc in Physics or manner. His presentation skills have also Ankur has recently appeared for his Material Science, after which he would improved, and stage fright is a thing of Class 12 board exams (in March 2012), like to embark upon a career in research. the past now. and is currently busy appearing for He plans to continue his studies in pure He feels that the biggest benefit of entrance exams to various colleges. sciences, and do a Ph D in Material Science. participating at Intel ISEF was the This summer, he is doing a two month Ankur feels that “research is like having “clarity of thinking” that he developed. internship at the Indian Institute of fun!” He sees himself, in the future, using When he started working on his project, Science Education and Research, Pune, his passion for research to find solutions he was not very knowledgeable about where he will probably be working on to the environmental problems faced what scientific research involved, but a project on the treatment of tuberculosis by society today. He sees himself, in the future, using his passion for research to find solutions to the environmental problems faced by society today.
Ankur feels that every student in India must participate in events like IRIS and Intel ISEF. However, their aim should not be to win awards; they should 180 participate for the opportunity to move away from bookish knowledge and into the creative world.
Ankur and Hetal: looking ahead with hope The Winning Ideas
This section contains the abstracts of all the projects of Indian winners at the Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair since 2003.
Note The abstracts in this section have been sourced from the Society for Science & the Public web site: http://apps.societyforscience.org/abstracts/ 2003
Maithili Prafulla Dalvi Coconut Flower Extract as a Possible Remedy in Stopping Smt Sulochanadevi Singhania School Excessive Uterine Haemorrhage Thane Maharashtra Basic Objective Biochemistry To do biochemical analytical study of coconut flower extract and to find out its possible usage in controlling abnormal and excessive uterine bleeding. The Procedure involved preparation of the coconut flower extract as Recognition at Intel ISEF the first step. Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond Microscopic analysis of the extract and estimation of solid components by centrifugation, was done. Then High – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was done to estimate the cations, anions and steroids in the extract. (AVASC) Foundation Peaks closely matching to Progesterone and its derivative- Hydroxy Progesterone Caproate, were obtained. Honourable Mention Award – Endocrine Society Elements like calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, potassium and magnesium, which are helpful in patients having uterine bleeding, were also detected. Compounds closely matching with Progesterone and its derivative, were detected by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (LCMS) also. Even Chemo-luminiscence immunoassay (CLIA) showed the presence of Progesterone-like compound. Culture of extract did not show any pathogens. Clinical 182 trials were carried out on humans after obtaining proper consent and permission.
Bhushan Prakash Mahadik Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) – A New Frontier in Nano-technology: Fr Agnel Junior College Their Production from Vegetable Oils and Studying their Navi Mumbai Maharashtra Applications Chemistry Currently, Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are produced from fossilized precursors like Benzene, Xylene, etc. These being derived from petroleum sources, are bound to get depleted one day. Therefore, an alternative source for Recognition at Intel ISEF the production of CNTs has to be found out. The purpose of the experiment therefore is to find out whether Minor Planet: (17095) Mahadik CNTs can be produced from “Vegetable Oils” and if the quality of CNTs produced is at par with the ones produced from fossilized precursors. The Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method was used to obtain soot of carbon. Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 This soot was appropriately treated with Nitric acid to get rid of unwanted material. The final soot contained DuPont’s Center for Collaborative Research and nanotubes with other nanomaterial. Experiments were carried out on the Capacitance and Hydrogen storage Education, Office of Education Primary Award capacity of the CNTs produced. Also, experiments were conducted to see whether these CNTs in presence of of USD 1, 000 – National Aeronautics & Space light could control the growth of cancerous cells and Pathogenic bacteria. TEM images of the soot obtained Administration showed the presence of CNTs in many samples. The average diameter of the CNTs was found to be between 20 to 80 nm (Multi Walled) Also, the capacitance of a few soots calculated before activation agreed with the values Honourable Mention Awards obtained for CNTs from fossilized precursors. The maximum capacitance was obtained for Linseed oil (34. 5 F/gm). – American Chemical Society 2003
Samples of Cotton Seed oil and Mustard oil showed evidence of Hydrogen storage in them. The sample of Linseed oil was found to control the growth of Cancerous cells to a large extent. Long, exquisite Nano-fibers were obtained from the soot produced from Anacardium seeds. From the TEM images, it can be inferred that production of CNTs from vegetable oils was possible. Also, their capacitance and Hydrogen storing capacity was at par with CNTs from fossilized precursors. Preliminary experiments show that CNTs can control the growth of cancerous cells. Thus these CNTs produced can be good Super Capacitors or drugs to cure Skin cancer.
Aadhar Mittal Artificial Creation of Music Using Music Theory Montfort School Human creativity is the least understood aspect of human behavior. Human creativity is often applied like Ashok Vihar Phase I human intelligence, which produces results of low quality. This project generates computerized music through New Delhi different procedures and determines their quality. The music theory concepts were learned to gain an insight Computer Science into the making of music. Computerized methods of four kinds: genetic programming, creativity theories using Markov’s chains; and algorithmic approach based on Zipf’s Law, Linden Mayer’s method were designed. These 183 Recognition at Intel ISEF were implemented through programming to generate music, experimenting at the same time with different Summer Internship – Agilent Technologies parameters. The results were analyzed by an artificial analytic system. The music thus generated was listened to. The music is of a systematic flow, rather than having “inspired” elements. Further investigations as to whether computers can become music “composers” rather than generators can be undertaken based on these results. Also creating along with a Genre Specification could be undertaken.
Varun Kumar Nagaraja Diagnosis of Pregnancy in Cattle (Punyakoti Pregnancy Test) Sri Vani Public School The project attempts to develop a simple bioassay for diagnosing pregnancy in cattle based on a unique Bangalore technique practiced in ancient Egypt (ca 2200 BC). Papyri recovered from excavations in Egypt during 1898 AD Karnataka reveal that the pregnancy status of woman can be diagnosed by assessing the germination response of barley Botany and wheat seeds when soaked with urine of the woman. This project explores the possibility of extending this technique to diagnose pregnancy in cattle. The urine of cows was diluted with water in 1:4 ratio. Wheat, Recognition at Intel ISEF paddy (monocots) and green gram (dicot) seeds were soaked in the diluted urine in petridishes. Seeds were also First Award of USD 1, 000 and a Certificate soaked in distilled water (control). It was observed that the seeds treated with diluted urine of the pregnant – American Intellectual Property Law Association cow strongly inhibited in their germination and seedling growth compared to those treated with diluted urine of non-pregnant cow and water. The possible causative factors for inhibition of seeds by the urine of pregnant cow were also investigated. 2003
The urine samples of pregnant cows were found to have relatively higher concentration of urea and surprisingly of ABA—a plant hormone! It is likely that these chemicals are involved in inhibiting germination and growth of seedlings. Based on these results, a field level diagnostic kit is proposed to be of a great practical use in the rural areas of developing countries. Such a kit also helps in easily identifying the repeat-breeders and thus saves millions of dollars that is not being realized due to unavailability of simple diagnostic tools.
Senthalir P Suppression of Branches in Eucalyptus Trees Sharanya S Neem Oil, besides possessing insect-growth disruption properties also acts as suckericide in Tobacco (Joshi, Avila Convent Matriculation Higher Secondary School 1986). Therefore its effect on suppression of branches in Eucalyptus tereticornis was assessed, as it will help Coimbatore in maximizing stem Biomass. In the first experiment lateral branches of the selected trees were pruned. Neem Tamil Nadu oil concentrations of 80%, 40%, 20%, 10% and control (untreated cut branches served as control), were applied Botany on leaf axils of the pruned branches. In the experiment 2 regenerated branches were re-pruned and two Neem oil 184 treatments viz. , 100% and 80% were applied with control. In the third experiment the apical shoots were topped Recognition at Intel ISEF and treated with 100% Neem oil along with control. Data on regeneration, and branch length were recorded on 20th, Minor Planets: (17091) Senthalir 30th & 60th days after the treatment and subjected to statistical analysis following the Panse and Sukhatme (1967). (17092) Sharanya In the first experiment, regeneration of branches was suppressed and there was a parallel between the Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 magnitude of suppression and concentration of Neem oil. Compared to control, the percent reduction in – Team Projects branching at 80% Neem oil was 41. 6%. In the second experiment pruned and regenerated lateral branches exhibited severe repression in regenerating ability (81. 8%) under 100% concentration relative to control. In the Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond third experiment, coppicing percent of the apical shoot in control was as high as 176% as against 3. 75 % under – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty 100 % oil. Reduction in coppicing shoot was 98. 3%. By pruning the lateral branches, wasteful consumption of (AVASC) Foundation photosynthesis can be precluded and stem bio mass maximized. 2003
Karan Sharma Speed Booster System for Gliders Apeejay School The purpose of this project was to develop a new speed booster system for gliders that uses energy of the flow Sheikh Sarai of air to increase the speed of the glider. The underlying principle being the Equation of Continuity. New Delhi The booster system was integrated with the wing contour, so as not to hamper the aerodynamic structure of Engineering the glider. Two wooden glider models of same shape, size, weight and wingspan were used for the experiments. Recognition at Intel ISEF The gliders are made of light wood material and tapering plastic tube with open ends was fitted to the under surface of each of the wings of one of the glider model, to serve as a booster. Both the gliders were tested for Second Award of USD 150 – Patent and Trademark flight capability and were allowed to fall freely from the same height. It was seen that the glider with booster Office/US Department of Commerce/Patent and system covered more distance. Further both the glider models were subjected to a jet of air from a blower. Trademark Office Society The angle of deviation from the normal was measured. Assuming the thread to be of unit length; the sine of the angle gave the lift and cosine of the angle gave the drag. This was repeated with different designs of the booster to identify the optimum shape that gives the maximum lift/drag ratio. The lift/drag ratio was found out to be more for glider with booster system and less for the glider without. We can conclude from these small- scale experiments that such systems if designed would be successful on life-scale machines. 185
Sangameswaran Tejeshwar Tandon Text Explorer S B O A Schools and Junior College Purpose of Experiment: The development of Text explorer with additional functions started after a survey in Chennai which 73% of them wanted an advanced word processor. The main purpose of this project is to make word Tamil Nadu processing fast, effecient and usable by the handicapped. Procedure used: This program was developed in Computer Science Microsoft Visual Basic The speech DLLs were designed in Visual C++. It has a multiple document interface, i. e more than 100 documents can be opened and edited at the same time ; It contains 25 forms, which is the outer Recognition at Intel ISEF structure and 26 modules and 4 class modules. which contains most of the programming. The program has 5 Second Award of USD 500 – IEEE Computer Society enhanced user controls. The whole source code of the program is approx. 11, 000 pages (ASM Code) Special Functions: Text to Speech, Voice Comand, Voice Dictation, Text Fader, Special Handicapped Mode, Decimal to Roman and Vice Versa, HTML Editor, Home work helper, 5+ Advanced Encryption & Decryption, Encrypt text into picture, mp3 player with lyrics support and many more Conclusion: These functions would allow a person to finish a job quickly and efficiently. With the special handicapped mode, even the disabled can use it. Powerful encryption and decryption options allow confidential messages to be sent over the network or internet securely. 2004
Kanishka Raajkumar PESDOC – A Farmer-Friendly Software for Pest Diagnosis of Crops Shree Baldevdas Kikani Vidyamandir Matriculation PESDOC is aimed at helping farmers in remote rural areas to seek effective solution for pest control in crops (at Higher Secondary School present for Cotton, Sugarcane and Rice), by providing a software that could analyze symptoms, identify pests Coimbatore and suggest remedial measures. The system currently covers 30 pests (around 10 pests per crop). Tamil Nadu PESDOC was created in Visual Prolog 5. 2. The knowledge acquisition module was created in Visual Basic 6. 0. Computer Science The animation and audio was developed using Macromedia Flash 5. 0 and Windows Sound Recorder utility Recognition at Intel ISEF respectively. Second Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond It is in the form of a desktop pest expert with which a farmer, who has no formal training in pest control, - Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty interacts by responding to a combination of queries. The software employs rule – based reasoning represented (AVASC) Foundation in Horn clauses. Knowledge was acquired from texts and human experts in the field of plant pathology and entomology. PESDOC employs backward chaining control strategy. Special interface has been provided for updating the knowledge base. Pest management procedures have been illustrated using audio and video files developed in local language for the benefit of rural farmers.
186 When tested PESDOC performed as good as human experts within its narrow domain. Thus it can be concluded that PESDOC is able to provide effective diagnosis of pest damage and hence suggest treatment procedure to farmers. It can also help plant experts in diagnosis.
Amruth B R Mechanical Wave Modulation and Its Applications Sadvidya Composite Pre University College Natural sources of mechanical waves are characterized by their energy per cycle, which depends on their Mysore amplitude. Their amplitudes are generally too low to be economically harnessed or too high to be put to Karnataka constructive work. This project reports a method developed to modify the amplitude of mechanical waves so as Physics to change their impact on the target. Recognition at Intel ISEF The primary objective of the project is to develop an effective shock absorbing system, by suitably decreasing the impact of the wave by modulating its amplitude. Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 The basic system consists of coupled oscillators with the frequency of adjacent oscillators increasing by a Honourable Mention Award Certificates for constant value. This system causes the wave energy input at the low frequency end of the system to get International Students – National Aeronautics modified so that at the high frequency end the output is in the form of a series of smaller impulses. Thus the & Space Administration system acts as a shock absorber. 2004
With further study it was found that this system can also be used to increase the amplitude of the incident wave. The system designed mainly for this, used fluids to propagate energy since the loss of pressure will be avoided. On the basis of the results obtained, this project also proposes models for some possible applications. These include better shock absorbers, better vibration isolation platforms, resonance control, and wave energy harnesser with unique features. It may also find applications in electricity generation from sources with presently unsuitable energy levels and the use of non-newtonian fluids as shock absorbers.
Zeeshan Ali Sayyed To Study the Effect of Biological Seed Dressing on the Growth Vrishikumar Patil and Yield of Crop Shreerang Vidyalaya Thane In India about 33% of agricultural produce are damaged by pests. Most of this damage occurs during the Maharashtra early stages of crop growth. Different methods are used to tackle this problem. Seed-dressing, considered an effective method, involves the use of dry or wet formulation applied directly to seeds. Prevalent seed-dressing 187 Biochemistry treatments use chemicals that may cause health and environmental problems and are very costly. Recognition at Intel ISEF This project aimed to find out natural and cost-effective substitutes for harmful chemicals in seed-dressing. Minor Planets: (20616) Zeeshansayed Based on earlier studies, leaves and seeds of neem (Azardirachata indica), custard apple (Annona squamosa) (20604) Vrishikpatil seeds and Aloe vera (Aloe vera L.) sap were chosen as seed-dressing alternatives. The crops Hibiscus esculantus and Dolicos lablab were selected for the study and their seeds were dressed with suitably prepared powders of Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1, 500 the above biological materials. Eleven treatments of varying concentrations and combinations using the above – Team Projects materials were tried. Sample sizes for each treatment was 60 plants or more. The treated seeds were sown and the effects of treatment were monitored using six visible traits of the crop. Results of the experiments show that treated seeds were resistant to pest attack during the first 25 days. Plants from treated seeds also show enhanced growth and yield. The effects of biological seed-dressings are seen to be comparable with chemical seed-dressing. This cost-effective dressing treatment can be easily formulated locally by farmers. Thus biological seed-dressing can be a potential alternative to the current methods of seed-dressing. 2004
Srividya Swaminathan Paperood - Paper from Wood? No, Wood from Paper! Shriram Jayaraman Every year out of 1000 million tons of paper produced, only 30% is recycled. The remaining paper is usually Modern English School wasted which is an indication that paper is not used to the full extent. For the production of paper, a large Chheda Nagar, Chembur number of trees have been cut down. Our main purpose was to find an alternative method to recycle paper and Mumbai to some extent, reduce deforestation by making a substitute for wood. Maharashtra Paper was a key ingredient in the making of paperood. Waste paper was collected from various sources and Environmental Sciences sorted according to the size and type. This paper was then impregnated in the resin solution, which comprises of phenolic resin and some denatured alcohol for dilution. The paper was then subjected to drying using hot dry Recognition at Intel ISEF air. According to the thickness of the product desired, the stainless steel sheets under high pressure and heat. Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 Safety measures were followed at all the stages of production of paperood. – Team Projects The paperood thus obtained was tested for its mechanical properties. The results of the tests were compared Scholarship Award of USD 1,500 with wood. Paperood is found to be better than wood in most of the properties. Flexural strength of paperood – National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators is twice that of wood whereas compression strength is 15 times that of wood. Paperood also shows fire Alliance/The Lemelson Foundation resistance and minimum water absorption when compared to wood. 188 Thus paperood is better than wood in almost all structural properties. This encourages us to conclude paperood can be used for roofing, cabinets and insulators. In fact it can replace wood in several other articles, which are made of wood at present.
Sameer Yeleswarapu An Interesting Property in Triangles St Francis de Sales High School One of the fundamental properties of a triangle is that the sum of two sides is greater than the third side. This is a Secunderabad statement of inequality but does not quantify the value by which the sum of two sides is greater than the third side. Andhra Pradesh A measure ‘DELTA’ by which the sum of two sides exceeds the third side has been defined. This measured DELTA Mathematics has been defined to the best of our knowledge for the first time in this work. This work reports a detailed study Recognition at Intel ISEF of several properties of DELTA. Using DELTA measurements of different triangles, the author discovered some new properties and also proved Honourable Mention Award Certificates for them using trigonometry. The basic property discovered can be stated as “In a given triangle, for a pair of parallel International Students – National Aeronautics lines to any of the sides that form sub similar triangles, the difference between the DELTA measures of the & Space Administration sub similar triangles, is a constant and is independent of the location of the pair of parallel lines, as long as the separation between the pair of parallel lines is fixed.” Working on the properties of the measure DELTA and related quantities helped the author to arrive at an efficient method for computing the perimeter of a right angle triangle. 2005
Suvrata Desai Traditional Spices as Bio Pesticides Mallika Desai This Project is based on Pesticidal properties of Spices like Chilly, Turmeric, Garlic, Asafoetida, Cloves etc. Spoilage Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya of food grains by Pests such as Beetles, Weevils, and Granary Weevils is a common problem causing heavy Canacona losses. This project brings easy, Ecofriendly solution to this problem. It was hypothesized that Spices can be Goa used as Pesticides. Tablets prepared out of these Spices were tried upon different Pests and positive results Environmental Sciences were obtained. Recognition at Intel ISEF Experiments were also conducted to verify preventive properties of Spices. It was found that pests didn’t multiply in presence of Spice Tablets. Second Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty Results were compared to Pesticidal properties of Neem leaves and Spices are found to be more effective. It is (AVASC) Foundation concluded that, “Spices can act as effective. Harmless and ecofriendly Pesticides”.
Mihir Tandon An Improvised Artificial Limb 189 Riddhiman Yadava A large number of disabled persons are deprived of the benefits of presently available appliances because Modern School of their inability to access them or to afford them. We have designed a simple artificial leg for above-knee Vasant Vihar amputees which is affordable as well as easily constructible even by village artisans. Our artificial leg is made New Delhi from easily available material like: hollow, mild steel pipes (the kind that is used for fencing), cycle springs, foam Engineering and rexine. The cost of making our artificial leg is only Rs. 550/- i. e. US$ 11. 46 (assuming 48 Rs. = 1 US$). Our Prosthesis is light and weights only about 2.5 kgs. Recognition at Intel ISEF Our artificial limb has several features – it has a mechanical knee-joint, which consists of a hinge for Scholarship Award of USD 1, 000 unidirectional movement and three springs. The two side-springs help flex the knee with little effort and the – National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators central spring helps the knee to automatically revert back to its normal position after flexion. Our artificial limb is Alliance/The Lemelson Foundation especially suited for children as the leg length is adjustable to accommodate changes in leg length with growth. Toes that bend like human toes have been provided with the help of a hinge on our artificial foot. This helps the user to walk more normally and also to get up after squatting on the ground. Finally, with the help of a few simple measurements of the amputee stump, the socket can be custom made for a proper fit. The socket fits the stump in such a way that there is an air cushion of one to one & half inch at the bottom of the socket. This prevents the appearance of friction sores. Also, holes have been punched in the socket to provide ventilation to the stump. 2005
We have successfully tried our improvised leg on several human subjects both children and adults. In fact, on the very first trial, subjects who had walked only with the help of crutches for over a decade were able to use our leg comfortably. Our artificial leg allowed them to carry out the functions of walking, sitting, squatting on the floor and climbing steps with ease. With our improvised artificial leg we hope to make a difference in the lives of above-knee amputees by providing them with the mobility they have been deprived of.
Malavika Vinod Tiwari Foot Operated Vehicle Device for the Physically Challenged St Mary’s Convent High School The Purpose of this project is to develop such a device which when fitted on a scooter will enable a person Kanpur with no hand or no hand controls to drive the scooter with his feet. This device known as F. O. D (Foot Operated Uttar Pradesh Device) System is fitted on a platform placed on the footboard of a scooter. Pair of foot pedals is fitted on the Engineering right and left side of the main rotating shaft, which is fitted on the platform. Recognition at Intel ISEF A Junction Bos is fitted on the main rotating shaft, in which specially designed levers of Accelerator, Brakes and 190 Choke are fixed. By pushing the pedals up and down the levers start functioning. On top of the rotating shaft, Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 two iron plates are fixed which turn the handle left and right. Electrical switches of lights and indicators are placed on the bards in which the foot pedals are fixed. This system involves no use of hands while driving. This device is made by indigenous materials and can be repaired by any local mechanic. It is an economical and mechanical device and can be easily operated. This device will solve the mobility problem of the physically challenged people bereft of hands and instil confidence in him/her. 2006
Apurv Mishra Glabenator: An Advanced Alternative and Augmentative DAV Public School Communication Device Bhubaneswar Orissa This device “Glabenator” has been developed to act as an Advanced Alternative and Augmentative Communication solution. It targets on the person who need support of communication either due to physical Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering or technical reason. The device is based on a new concept of directional displacement of a point in the skin Recognition at Intel ISEF just above the eyebrows as a data source. AFSDCS (Advanced Forehead Skin Deformation Coding System) was developed to analyze the displacement of the positional indicators and find POMAD (Point of Maximum Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 Displacement). Second Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond The sensor is fabricated on the basis of innovative rod bending concept to detect the movement of POMAD. The – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty displacement of the skin causes the rod to interrupt opto-interrupter respective to the direction of displacement. (AVASC) Foundation Thus using the data from POMAD displacement the contraction of Corrugator Supercilli and Frontalis muscle is detected. The user contracts these muscles voluntarily to interact with the device. The data from the sensor is processed and forwarded to the RF data transmission section which transmits this data. The receiver forwards the data to the micro-controller which is used to select and surf the menu. The 191 motherboard comprises of Voice IC, Computer Cursor Control and LCD Display. Glabenator costs around 30 USD comparing to the present devices which are very costly. Thus Glabenator being simple, compact, comfortable, innovative and cheap can make the Alternative and Augmentative Communication affordable by the common man in cases of communication disability. It can be also used to zoom lens and operate computer in space.
Varun Mittal Effect of Chinaberry Fruit Extract Oil on Feeding, Growth and Kanishka Tiwary Fecundity of Plutella Xylostella Sanatan Dharam Public School Pitampura This project in its present form is the result of experimentation done to study the effect of chinaberry (Melia New Delhi azedarach)fruit extract oil on Plutella xylostella (DBM) larvae. The initial idea was to find a method by which we can control the devastrating moth. In recent years this moth has developed resistance to most of the chemical Zoology insecticides and even biological insecticides. Still the scientists and reserchers are trying to find a method to Recognition at Intel ISEF control this moth. Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 For this purpose we collected dry chinaberry fruits, crushed them and extracted oil using soxhelet apparatus, – Team Projects then we diluted the extracted oil with water and emulsifiers and studied the effect of extracted oil on feeding, growth and fecundity of DBM larvae. 2006
We reared DBM larvae in incubator and then allowed them to feed on cabbage leaves dipped in the sol. of different conc. of the oil. We studied different aspects of DBM larvae including mortality rate, eggs laid by the moth, percentage hatchability, pupal weight etc. Our experiments concluded that 4% concentration of test sol. is found to be most effective in controlling this moth. by treating this moth to 4% conc. of test sol. we got the following results: 1) mean leaf area consumption decreased to 0mm 2) mortality rate was increased to 90% 3) pupal weight, percentage emergence and adult longevity decreased in a dose dependent manner. The contribution of this project are in two folds. Firstly we found a method by which we can contol this moth. Secondly the product is completely bionatural, easily available, cheap, it does not cause any harm to the soil, plants and consumer. It is also environmental friendly and has no biological hazardous.
192 Hamsa Padmanabhan Physics of a Simple Prototype for Static Magnetic Levitation Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ganeshkhind This project aims at analyzing the stability and force balance of a simple mechanical gadget exhibiting magnetic Pune levitation. The configuration consists of a pencil suspended horizontally in mid-air under the action of forces Maharashtra exerted by a set of ring magnets, gravity and a contact force. The configuration is found to be in perfectly stable Physics equilibrium; the pencil can perform small oscillations and also rotate about its long axis. The project involved the following aspects. Recognition at Intel ISEF 1. The conditions under which stable equilibrium of the configuration was achieved were determined by direct Minor Planet: (21575) Padmanabhan experimentation. Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1, 500 2. The field lines of the magnets were mapped to understand the forces acting in the system. UTC Stock with an approximate value of USD 2,000 3. A theoretical analysis of the force and torque balance of the system was done by approximating each – United Technologies Corporation magnet to a small dipole. Third Award of USD 300 – American Association of 4. Using this, the conditions for stable equilibrium of the system were found. These confirmed the consistency Physics Teachers and the American Physical Society of the force and torque balance conditions. 5. Finally, definite predictions were made about various parameters of the gadget using the theoretical model. These were verified directly by experiment, thus consolidating the validity of the model. 2006
Further avenues of investigation including the possibility of construction of similar configurations minimizing or without the use of contact forces, etc. are being explored. This gadget can serve as an excellent pedagogical tool for illustrating diverse concepts like magnetic dipole interaction, force and torque balance, stability, etc. The project provides an understanding of magnetic levitation of static, extended bodies and shows that a prototype can be built with inexpensive, everyday materials.
Swathi Soman Management of Aphid Pest of Cowpea by a Bio-Pesticide Fusarium Christ Nagar Senior Secondary School Pallidoroseum Thiruvananthapuram Kerala Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) ssp. sequipedalis (Verdcourt)] is a major vegetable grown and consumed in the domestic and foreign markets. Aphis craccivora Koch. is an important pest of cowpea causing crop loss to Environmental Sciences the tune of 10-20 per cent. Current management practice of using chemical pesticide to tackle this pest are dangerous as it causes environmental and health hazards. So there is need to develop ecofriendly methods Recognition at Intel ISEF 193 to tackle this pest. Fungal pathogens of insects play a key role in pest management in nature. Fusarium Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 pallidoroseum (Cooke) Sacc. is a potent biocontrol agent of cowpea aphid. It is safe to other biotic fauna, parasitoids and pollinators found in the cowpea ecosystem. Fusarium pallidoroseum was found to be compatible with the common insecticides such as Malathion, Quinalphos, Dimethoate, etc. 2007
Rishin Behl A Novel Design for Magnetic Levitating Seismograph Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mankhurd A configuration of magnets is used to levitate a shaft in air by the repulsion force between the magnets. Mumbai By appropriate design, the Lorenz-forces can be stabilized, creating a potential-well which restricts wobble Maharashtra amplitude of the shaft without hampering the disturbances caused due to external forces and sensitivity of the Earth and Planetary Sciences device. One end of the levitating shaft touches a glass plate, coupled to a heavy framework connected to the earth. Any force detected by the device causes a relative motion of the shaft in XY plane. A mirror is attached to Recognition at Intel ISEF the head of the shaft which reflects a laser beam, mounted on a vibration-isolated independent platform. The Minor Planet: (23133) Rishinbehl reflected beam produces an amplified motion corresponding to small changes in the movement of the shaft. This can be recorded on a photo-detector. The entire apparatus is shielded to protect it from air-currents and Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1, 500 other external disturbances. To simulate response to an earthquake, the base of the device is made to vibrate Full Tuition Scholarship Award in the desired low-frequency range by connecting it to the diaphragm of a loudspeaker and the corresponding – University of New Mexico reading on the photo-detector recorded. This design avoids the use of springs and eliminates some of the problems of mechanical seismographs. In future, the deflected beam pattern can be recorded using a First Award of USD 1, 000 US Savings Bond photosensitive array and the data grabbed at regular time-intervals. Such frames over a time‘t’ can be integrated – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty to form a 3-D graph. This can be vectorised and resolved to give a direction and magnitude of the force. 194 (AVASC) Foundation Award of Merit of USD 500 – Society of Exploration Geophysicists Trip to China to attend the CASTIC - China Association for Science and Technology 2007
Tanay David Delima A Novel Advanced Brake Light Warning System to Prevent Nikhil Khosla Vehicular Tailgating Accidents Dhirubhai Ambani International School Mumbai Around 65% of all vehicular accidents are caused by tailgating. This experiment attempts to find out whether Maharashtra it is possible to prevent tailgating accidents by giving the driver in the rear vehicle additional time to apply his brakes and stop safely when the car in front stops. Energy & Transportation At present in cars, the rear brake lights come on when the brakes are applied. If an additional rear light of a Recognition at Intel ISEF different colour comes on in the lead vehicle, when the accelerator is released prior to the brakes being applied, Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 it would inform the driver in the car behind of his intention to stop, giving him additional time to respond and – Team Projects bring his car to a safe stop. We mounted two lights on a board. In mode 1 the red light comes on when the brake is pressed. In mode 2 an additional amber light comes on when the accelerator pedal is released before applying the brake pedal. A digital timer starts when the researcher presses his brake pedal and is stopped when the subject presses his brake pedal. This records the time taken by the subject to respond in both modes. The experiment was performed on 134 subjects. The data was statistically analyzed and conclusively shows 195 that when the subjects were forewarned by an additional light coming on just a fraction of a second earlier, their response time was significantly reduced. A simple rewiring in cars can prevent these accidents with its consequent loss of life and financial costs. 2007
Ram Raghunathan FDIS: A Fast Frequency Distribution Based Interpolation Sishya Search Algorithm Chennai Tamil Nadu Search is a fundamental operation in computer science. Binary and Interpolation are two well-known search algorithms to locate an item in a sorted array. Interpolation performs better (worse) than Binary when data is Computer Science (not) uniformly distributed. Recognition at Intel ISEF This project develops a novel search algorithm, FDIS, that utilizes frequency distribution of data in the array. The Second Award of USD 500 – Association use of frequency distributions narrows down the search range and allows FDIS to exploit Interpolation. for Computing Machinery FDIS, Binary, and Interpolation search algorithms were implemented in Java. The number of locations searched and the time taken were used as performance criteria. The array size (N), frequency table size (k), and the shape of distribution of data were used as control variables. 5 levels for each control were chosen resulting in a total of 125 experimental scenarios. Data were generated randomly from Gamma, Gaussian, and Weibull distributions. On the average, FDIS performed significantly better than both Interpolation and Binary. The worst case performance of FDIS was not significantly different from that of other two. The average reduction in 196 the number of locations searched (search time) was 82% (15%) and 94% (88%) compared to Binary and Interpolation, respectively. The gap between the performance of FDIS and the other two algorithms was higher when either the array or the frequency table size increased or the data in the array was more non-uniform The experiment confirmed my hypothesis that the average case performance of FDIS is O(log(log(N/k)). The project demonstrated that FDIS has the potential to significantly improve search in information retrieval applications that require large databases. 2007
Vaishnavi Viswanathan Desmostachya Bipinnata as an Eco-friendly Termicide Modern English School This project evaluates the anti-termitic properties of Desmostachya bipinnata, a plant native to India. In the Mumbai traditional Indian medical system (Ayurveda) the roots have been used for treating various diseases. Maharashtra It was observed that the mats made from Desmostachya bipinnata were not affected by termites. This Environmental Management observation prompted me to investigate the efficacy ofDesmostachya bipinnata as a natural remedy for Recognition at Intel ISEF controlling termites. Second Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond Extracts of each root and leaf were made in different solvents both by the process of solvent extraction and – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty by following an ayurvedic method. Various concentrations of these extracts as well as appropriate positive and (AVASC) Foundation negative controls were used on Coptotermes domesticus termite species and their responses were studied. The knockdown effect of the plant extracts was recorded at periodic intervals of two minutes up to 100% knockdown and knockdown times KT50 and KT95 calculated. The recovery/mortality 24 hours after exposure was also observed. The raw root and leaf of Desmostachya bipinnata were tested for its anti-termitic properties. It was found that the leaf of Desmostachya bipinnata achieved a mortality rate of 95% while the mortality rate in the root was found to be 90%. Experiments conducted on other pests (red ants, cockroaches and centipedes) 197 showed a mean mortality rate of 85%. The lowest concentration that incurred mortality was found to be 3%. Data was statistically analyzed for significance. The results showed that the Desmostachya bipinnata extracts have potent anti-termitic properties, this study can help develop a natural alternative to the current environmentally detrimental termiticides. 2008
Pooja Dholakiya Eco-Friendly Ink for Colour Pens Riddhi Dasani Our project is to make Eco-friendly Ink for Color Pens by extracting coloring pigments from various plant species. Late Shree S G Dholakiya Memorial High School Color extracts of 150 plant species and its products were tested under sunlight for fading. Out of these, Rajkot 15 plants like Butea monosperma (Flame of the forest), Beta vulgaris (Beetroot), Basella alba v. rubra (Indian Gujarat spinach), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Azardirachta indica (neem), Coffea arabica (coffee), Opuntia ficus indica, Plant Sciences Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Bixa orellana, Indigofera tinctoria (Indigo), Tagetes erecta (Marigold), Trigonella foenum- graecum (Fenugreek), Lawsonia inermis (Henna), and Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) that had not faded in sunlight Recognition at Intel ISEF were selected. Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 These plants were dried in an oven, dissolved in a proper solvent like water and ethanol, filtered and dried again – Team Projects to get the color pigment like Anthocyanins, Curcumin, Betacyanin and Chlorophyll. Apart from plant extracts, caramel from sugar was also tried as a coloring agent. This dried pigment was crushed to powder and diluted to use as ink. Colors like Yellow, Pink, Magenta, Green, Blue, Orange and Coffee were obtained. The ink was refilled in color pens like sketch pens, marker pens, board markers, micro tips and fountain pens. Physical tests like fading in sunlight, writing length and heating effect, 198 showed the aptness to be used as ink. Microbial contamination rate was found negligible and heavy metals were absent. Our research shows the pigment-based ink as an eco-friendly, biodegradable and with results, that compare very well with some of the commercially available pens.
Lavanya Giriraj Natural Color from Ixora Flowers Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Extraction of color from Ixora coccinea flowers and demonstration of different use of color in food, fabric dye, Mandya and paint. As the awareness level of people about the deleterious effects of synthetic colors increases, the Karnataka demand of natural colorants for foods, drugs, cosmetics, textiles, etc is expected to increase enormously. This Plant Sciences project suggests that food, paint and fabric color can be produced from dry as well as fresh extract obtained from Ixora flower petals. Fresh petals ofIxora are soaked in distilled water, ground to paste, squeezed and Recognition at Intel ISEF filtered to obtain aqueous extract. Methanol extraction was also carried out. Ice cream and milk were prepared Second Award of USD 500 using the dry powder of Ixora (red and pink) which imparted a light pink color. Jam was made with Ixora flower, – American Society for Horticultural Science which was red in color. Ixora extract was used to dye fabric, cotton and silk threads. Water color and oil paint were also prepared. The colours of paint and fabric dye obtained are red and did not fade in the fastness test. There is ample scope for using the extract of Ixora flowers for obtaining different colours for food, paint and fabric. The T. L. C test, done at an independent laboratory, shows significant presence of coloring pigments. 2008
Hence food, paint and fabric color from Ixora may be a good substitute for artificial dyes. The exact colouring pigment needs to be identified, separated and compared with colours in current use.Ixora is available in several species with different colors. Hence different colors may be obtained from different species of the same plant. The color is obtained from the flowers of the plant without harming the plant itself. The plant has flowers throughout the year and hence a continuous supply of flowers is assured.
Ambud Sharma A Low Cost Water Based Evaporative Cooling Device for Computers Sunbeam School Heat-removal is critical to the performance of computers. I have developed an evaporative, water-based, cooling Bhagwanpur solution for computers. Traditionally air cooled heat sinks are bundled with the chips, which are very ineffective Varanasi for ambient temperatures above 38°C. My cooling solution is basically for the processor but can be extended to Uttar Pradesh other parts also. I have used water as the coolant as it is easily available, has high heat capacity and latent heat Electrical and Mechanical Engineering of evaporation. 199 Recognition at Intel ISEF The air cooled heat sink (of Intel’s PGA-478 and LGA-775 socket) has been modified and converted into water blocks which can circulate water over the processor without damaging it, as it is water sealed. Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 The cooling system has two parts- Scholarship Award of USD 12, 500 per year, renewable annually – Florida Institute of Technology 1. The pumping chamber contains a washer pump. The pumping chamber is the water reservoir for the device. There is also a water level indicator circuit in pumping chamber. 2. In the cooling chamber, modeled after a “desert cooler”, the water gets spread and cooled by evaporation (by fans), cooled water then returns to the pumping chamber.
The device costs about 300 Rupees, (~9 USD) which the lowest cost for any liquid based computer cooling solution. Advantages- 1. Allows computers to be run without AC cooled rooms (with high ambient temperatures). 2. No recurring costs, requires only water as input. 3. If implemented for servers can reduce their running costs. 4. Designed to be compatible with most computers (till ATX 2. 3) 5. Allows running high end software for long hours. Such a low cost solution will be particularly beneficial in hot dry environments, including a large section of rural India. 2008
Swathi Soman Fusarium Pallidoroseum, II: Can it Control Water Hyacinth? Bhavan’s B P Vidya Mandir I took up the study “Fusarium pallidoroseum: Can it Control Water Hyacinth?” to find out the most efficient Nagpur method of biological control of water hyacinth using Fusarium pallidoroseum in the management of the weed Maharashtra from the water bodies of Kerala, India. Water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Soms – Laubach] is a Environmental Management pernicious aquatic weed seen all over the world. Management of this weed can be taken up by physical, chemical or biological means. The most widely followed practice is manual collection and destruction, which is not very Recognition at Intel ISEF successful as the weed multiplies very fast. Herbicidal destruction is not feasible in most cases because of Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 the pollution problems and the expense involved. Thus, biological control is an attractive alternative. Initially, laboratory and glass house studies conducted by me during the study (in the Department of Plant Pathology, Third Award of USD 500 College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala, India) indicated the possibility of using the fungal pathogen of the weed, – American Phytopathological Society F pallidoroseum, as a biocontrol agent. The results of the study also proved that the fungus is non pathogenic to crop plants, insects of the locality and hence is safe to be used as a bio-control agent. However, a major problem encountered in the large scale use of the fungus under field conditions was its low rate of infectivity on grown up healthy plants. This problem was overcome by pretreatment of the weeds with Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) a byproduct of the cashew processing industry. CNSL being a product of plant origin does not cause 200 any pollution problem. Further it is cheap and locally available in Kerala. A wettable powder formulation of the fungus was prepared using Mycelium, Talc, Sucrose, Tween80, Glycerol and this formulation was used for field application. Large scale field trial was conducted at Ambalathara, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. The results of the trial clearly proved the efficacy of the biological of management of water hyacinth by spraying CNSL at 5% followed by the wettable powder formulation of the fungus Fusarium pallidoroseum at 5%. 2009
Divya Venkataraman Larvicidal and Insecticidal Properties of Carica Papaya Leaf Extract Neha Kulkarni against Mosquitoes Modern English School Mumbai This project evaluates larvicidal and insecticidal properties of Carica papaya leaves against mosquitoes. Maharashtra Taking cue from an observation that a tray of water kept under a Carica papaya tree, into which a leaf had fallen, Environmental Management was free from mosquito eggs, we hypothesized that the Carica papaya leaf might have insecticidal and larvicidal properties against mosquitoes, and proceeded to evaluate this systematically. Recognition at Intel ISEF Extracts of leaves were made by solvent extraction method. Various concentrations of these extracts, Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 appropriate positive and negative controls were used on Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes Aegypti species – Team Projects of mosquitoes and their responses were studied. The knockdown effect of the leaf extracts was recorded at Second Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond periodic intervals. The mortality after 24 hours exposure was recorded. The mortality rates of mosquito larvae – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty in aqueous extract was 60%, in solvent extract was 80% and in positive control, Azadirachta indica extract (AVASC) Foundation was 60% when compared to the control. The mortality rates of adult mosquitoes in aqueous extract and in solvent extract were 85% and 88% respectively, when compared to the control. The mat vaporisers made using aqueous Carica papaya leaf extract achieved 56% mortality while the solvent extract mat vaporisers achieved 201 100% mortality and was considered extremely significant with ‘t’ test value of 84 with 3 degree of freedom compared to the controls. Carica papaya leaf extract candle showed 94% repellency. Experiments conducted on other pests (House flies) showed 84% mean mortality. The lowest concentration that incurred mortality was 3% (v/v). Data was statistically analyzed for significance. These results show Carica papaya leaf extracts to have potent larvicidal and insecticidal properties against mosquitoes, and provides a novel environmentally benign alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides.
Vishnu Jayaprakash A Novel Microbial Fuel Cell Based on Inexpensive Graphite Electrodes Chettinad Vidyashram The increasing global demand for energy requires a continuous search for alternative renewable energy sources. Chennai For practical applications of renewable energy sources in rural areas a cheap design based on locally-available Tamil Nadu raw materials is essential. My project studies Microbial fuel cells (MFC) which use cow dung as substrate. Energy & Transportation A Microbial fuel cell converts chemical energy available in a bio-convertible substrate directly into electricity. Bacteria present in the cowdung catalyse the decomposition of glucose present in the substrate releasing Recognition at Intel ISEF electrons, which contribute to the current. A cow-dung based fuel cell was fabricated using acrylic chambers Minor Planet: (25620) Jayaprakash where the anode contains cow dung and the cathode contains potassium ferricyanide which acts as the terminal electron acceptor. The chambers are separated by a proton exchange membrane (Nafion). My critical Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1, 500 contribution in the design comes by the way of identifying an inexpensive graphite electrode for the cell. 2009
The details of the design, performance and cost of different cow dung fuel cells are presented in this work. Experiments were conducted to study the performance of the cell in the following aspects : (i) Different designs of the cow dung fuel cell were fabricated and their performances were compared (ii) The performance of the cells with different electrodes and different areas of the proton exchange membrane (Nafion) were compared (iii) The longitivity of the cell was determined (iv) The current drop with time and the charge liberated by the cell was calculated. The newly developed cow dung fuel cell showed 13% more current density, 44% more power density with a cost reduction of about 90% when compared to a reference model. Such fuel cells can provide enough power to enable LED based illumination in rural areas at a reasonable cost.
Rithika Sangameshwaran 202 Solanum Nigrum and Psidium Guajava as a Bio-Pesticide Divya Kothari for Cockroaches Modern English School Mumbai This study was conducted to evaluate pesticidal properties of Solanum nigrum and Psidium guajava extracts. Maharashtra These plants, native to India, have been used for treating various diseases in the traditional Indian medical system (Ayurveda). The extracts of leaf, root and fruit pulp were made using water and ethanol. Various Environmental Management concentrations and combination of these extracts as well as appropriate positive and negative controls Recognition at Intel ISEF were used on two cockroach species Periplaneta Americana (L.), and Blattella germanica (L.) under laboratory conditions and their responses were studied. Second Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty The ethanol and water extracts exhibited mortality against cockroaches. Furthermore, the interactions among (AVASC) Foundation types of extract, time and concentration showed a significant effect wherein the mortality varied or changed at different exposure periods. The combination of leaf extract derived from Solanum Nigrum and Psidium Guajava showed the best mean mortality over naphthalene and a commonly used commercially available pesticide “Mortein”. The crude leaf extract of Solanum Nigrum exhibited mortality rate of 80% against Periplaneta Americana and Blattella germanica, solvent extract exhibited mortality rate of 100 % against the same species. Experiments conducted on other pests (centipedes) showed a mean mortality of 85%. Solanum Nigrum leaf extract gave 94% result than the fruit and root. Ethanol extract was found to be more promising than water extract. The lowest concentration that incurred mortality was found to be 3%. All data was statistically analyzed. 2009
The results showed that the Solanum nigrum and Psidium guajava extracts have pesticidal properties and can be promising botanical pesticides for cockroaches. Our study thus helps develop a natural alternative to the expensive and current environmentally-detrimental commercial pesticides.
Anish Mukherjee Clamped Bottle Cap: A Novel Tamper-Proof Bottle Cap Design Debarghya Sarkar Our project Clamped Bottle Cap is a novel redesign for a bottle cap, preventing its reuse. This can curb South Point High School widespread bottle forgery, especially in critical areas like single-use medicinal applications. Kolkata West Bengal We initially designed a bottle-cap with a ring having hooks. These cling on to the holes in bottle-neck. The attachment mechanism breaks off when the cap is opened. In our next improved design these hooks were Electrical and Mechanical Engineering changed to Zip-Toggle-like mechanism. This too posed problems regarding the fitting of the bottle-cap, so we Recognition at Intel ISEF converted to cylindrical-projections and circlip mechanism. We have further improved this in our final optimized design.
Minor Planets: (25629) Mukherjee In the optimized design we have eight cylindrical projections attached to the bottle cap. The bottle neck is joined 203 (20630) Sarkar by small bridges to the neck base. The cap with the cylindrical projections is slid in through the slots of the neck. The projections enter the eight corresponding holes in the neck and are held tightly in place. When the cap is Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1, 500 twisted the projections of the cap do not break but the entire neck of the bottle is broken off. This mechanism – Team Projects also give a clear indication that the bottle has been opened before, making the bottle tamper-proof. To test the feasibility of our idea, we contacted a rapid prototyping workshop who fabricated a few samples based on our drawings. To extend the bottle for multiple-use in specific cases, another threaded neck is provided, attached by small bridges below the original neck. A separate cap will be provided for use with the threaded portion of the bottle neck which fits only when the upper neck is broken. This mechanism serves as a remedy for the major problem of bottle-forgery. 2009
Hetal Kanjibhai Vaishnav Recycled Composite Material Made from Non-Recyclable Late Shree S G Dholakiya Memorial High School Multilayer Film Plastic Packaging Waste Rajkot Gujarat My project aims to convert typically non-recyclable multilayered film plastic packaging waste via appropriate heat treatment into a useful composite material. Environmental Management Plastic packaging made up of multilayer films (e. g. chips packets) is usually not recycled. Such multilayers are Recognition at Intel ISEF made for example from metallized polymers or combinations of different polymers. While these materials can Minor Planet: (25636) Vaishnav be recycled individually, but the multilayered packaging wastes are not normally recycled as separation of components is neither easy nor economical. Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1, 500 My recycling process is novel as it does not require separation of multilayer film of plastic making it economic and First Award of USD 1,000 US Savings Bond time saving. Further, the recycling process is simple, and does not require additional chemicals, binder or solvents. – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty (AVASC) Foundation This process starts from collection of such plastic waste, removing dust and cutting it into small pieces. After this, the waste pieces are washed with hot water, dried with hot air gun and pre-heated at a moderate Ricoh Sustainable Development Award of temperature until they fuse with each other. These fused pieces are then passed through hand moulding 204 USD 12,500 – Ricoh Americas Corporation machine to convert them into homogenous pellets. These pellets are then ground and screened. As a result, Second Award of USD 200 a powdered composite material is obtained. – Patent and Trademark Office Society This composite powder is suitable for further use via extrusion moulding, injection moulding, or compression moulding for making various articles for different applications. The sheets made from this material were tested and found to have negligible water absorption. By adding various pigments different colours were obtained. This composite material also possesses very good properties like nail holding, screw holding and can easily be fabricated into any desired shape. Standardized laboratory tests carried out by external testing laboratories show that density, auto ignition temperature, water absorption etc. of this material is similar or better than that of plywood/MDF, thus making this recycled composite a novel substitute for plywood/MDF in many applications. 2010
Aritra Chowdhury Extraction of Natural Carbonaceous Nanomaterials from Soil South Point High School Sources: Exploration of Properties and Applications Kolkata West Bengal I have extracted carbonaceous nanomaterials from soil sources following simple cost-effective extraction techniques and have found potential biological applications of such nanomaterials in areas like cellular imaging Chemistry and as enzyme immobilisation matrix. Soil humus and rock shilajit, both formed by microbial decomposition of Recognition at Intel ISEF dead organisms, can be rich sources for nanomaterials particularly carbon nanoforms. Such naturally formed nanostructures may be possibly more stable and safe for biological applications. Grand Award Fourth Prize of USD 500 I adopted a simple repetitive solution and extraction procedure for extraction of carbon nanomaterials from Honourable Mention Award shilajit and humus. The shape and size of nanomaterials were evaluated through DLS and AFM, SEM and TEM – American Chemical Society imaging; Nearly spherical particles, of ~45nm size (humus, from TEM) and ~65nm size (shilajit, from AFM) were obtained. Chemical characterization through EDAX, wide angle powder XRD and selected area electron diffraction confirmed the product to have an amorphous carbon-based structure. The nanoparticles emitted violet fluorescence upon UV excitation.Shilajit -derived nanoparticles were easily taken up in HEK293 and U937 cells in culture without surface functionalization. Cytosolic localization 205 and photostability were studied using confocal microscopy. I also used Shilajit-nanocarbons, as an enzyme immobilization matrix. Bromelain was successfully immobilized retaining ~30% of its original activity in immobilized form, with only 3% activity lost after 1 month exposure to ambient temperature (compared to 14% loss for free enzyme). My work proves soil materials to be a potent source of inexpensive, easily extractable nanocarbon forms with potential applications as inexpensive cellular imaging devices and as enzyme immobilization matrix. 2010
Kaushik Srivatsan K Investigation of Antimicrobial Property of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Ervatamia Coronaria Flower Mandya Karnataka Today scientists are in a constant lookout for new herbal antimicrobial drugs. This project investigates the antimicrobial properties of the extract of the flowers of Ervatamia coronaria to find out the efficacy of the Plant Sciences same. In ancient traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda, this flower is known to have curative properties for eye Recognition at Intel ISEF related inflammatory disorders. Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 Fresh flowers ofErvatamia coronaria were collected, shade dried, powdered and methanol extraction was done. Experiments were conducted on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with the discs loaded with 10 µl, Second Award of USD 500 US Savings Bond 20 µl, 30 µl, 40 µl, 50 µl, 60 µl, 70 µl, 80 µl, 90 µl and 100 µl of methanol extract of Ervatamia coronaria flowers. – Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty )AVASC) Foundation Similar experiments were conducted on Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium semitectum and Helminthosporium spp. by poisoned food technique at 500 ppm, 1000 ppm, 2000 ppm, 3000 ppm, 4000 ppm and 5000 ppm. Comparitive study revealed that microorganisms like bacteria treated with methanol extract of Ervatamia 206 coronaria flowers inhibitedStaphylococcus aureus (15 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (18 mm) when compared to gentamicin (23 mm and 22 mm) and control (0 mm). Similarly fungi like Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium semitectum and Helminthosporium spp. were inhibited by 100%, 100%, 80% and 100% respectively when compared to control (0%) and use of fungicide nystatin (100%). The TLC test done at an independent laboratory shows significant presence of active ingredients against bacteria and fungi. Thus the experiments demonstrate that Ervatamia coronaria extracts exhibit strong antimicrobial properties that can lead the future research direction to be used as herbal antibiotic. 2011
Anarta Roy Design of a Novel, Low Cost, Easy to Use, Auto-Disposable Syringe Manosij Ghosh Dastidar Re-use of conventional disposable syringes has become a menace worldwide causing death of nearly South Point High School 1. 3 million people a year, especially in poorer countries. We have designed an auto-disposable syringe that Kolkata cannot be re-used after the first use even if one wants to do so. The design consists of two main parts—the West Bengal barrel & the plunger. The barrel of the syringe is a uniform hollow cylinder having a cone-shaped head. At the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering base of the cone-shaped portion there is an inner lining that bulges out to form a ring-like rounded-surfaced projection that acts like a barrier for the plunger. Slightly above the ring-like projection and very close to the Recognition at Intel ISEF nose of the outlet, there are angular projections on the inner wall within the cone-shaped zone. The plunger Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 of our syringe has a small hollow cylinder at the top containing two latching window slots in its wall. A rubber – Team Projects gasket is fitted around it to make it air-tight. A conical cap-like structure having two legs is inserted into the cylinder such that it passes beyond the latching window slots. When the plunger is pulled to draw medicine, the conical cap of the plunger gets obstructed with the ring shaped barrier of the barrel thereby increasing the length of the plunger as the medicine gets into the syringe. During injection of medicine the plunger moves till the head of the barrel & the conical top of the elongated plunger gets locked at the angular projections provided at the top of the barrel. Now any effort to pull the plunger back for re-use will break the cap off the plunger and 207 the barrel will get clogged with the broken cap inside it, thus making the syringe non-reusable. Compared to other expensive one-time use syringes, our design principle is simple, low-cost and extremely easy to use.
Manosij Ghosh Dastidar Integer Partitions and Sequences South Point High School This project presents an extension of Stanley’s theorem related to partitions of positive integers. Stanley’s Kolkata theorem states that the total number of distinct members in the partitions of a positive integer n is equal to the West Bengal total number of 1’s that occur in the partitions of n. Mathematical Sciences My generalization states a similar relation between the total number of distinct members in the partitions of n Recognition at Intel ISEF and the total number of 2’s or 3’s or any general integer k that occur in the partitions of n and the subsequent integers. More precisely, the total number of distinct members in the partitions of a positive integer n is equal to Minor Planet: Naming Process Under Way the total number of k’s that occur in the partitions of n, n+1, . . . , n + k -1. Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1,500 To the best of my knowledge, this result is a new extension of Stanley’s theorem. This is applied to obtain an First Award of USD 1, 000 array of interesting corollaries, including alternate proofs and analogues of some well-known results in the – American Mathematical Society theory of partitions. I extend Ramanujan’s results on congruence behavior of the `number of partition’ function p(n) to get analogous results for the ‘number of occurrences of an element k in partitions of n’. Further, I provide an alternate proof of Ramanujan’s congruence identities related to integer partitions. 2011
Finally, I have proposed a general structure of adding points to existing partitions in the Ferrer’s diagram and have formulated and proved a combinatorial result for adding k points to partitions of n and count the number of resultant partitions.
Diksha Gupta An Eco-friendly Antifungal Agent: Leaf Extract of Maharaja Agarsain Public School Girardinia Diversifolia New Delhi Cajanus cajan is one of the most important legumes in the world. Wilt caused by Fusarium udum is the most Microbiology menacing fungal disease of C cajan. Chemical control methods are in practice to control Fusarium-wilt. But, Recognition at Intel ISEF the indiscriminate use of synthetic fungicides is causing health problems, environmental pollution and pathogen resistance. Utilization of plants and their products for pathogen management has become the demand of Fifth Award of USD 250 this century. – American Society for Microbiology So far no work has been done to explore the antifungal activity of leaves of G diversifolia, an annual herb of the 208 family Urticaceae, growing abundantly in India. Thus in my research project, I have studied the efficacy of leaf extracts of G diversifolia on F udum. Antifungal activity of the aqueous and organic extracts of leaves of G diversifolia was studied following poison food technique. The aqueous extract showed complete inhibition of fungal growth at a concentration of 1,500 µg/ml and inhibition of 95% spore germination at 2,000 µg/ml. Moreover, it appeared to be fungicidal at concentrations >4,000 µg/ml. The aqueous extract also caused significant reduction of wilt incidence in field conditions largely comparable to the systemic fungicide carbendazim. Phytochemical analysis of the extract confirmed presence of flavanoids, tannins, saponins and anthraquinone. The aqueous extract also showed insecticidal property causing 97% mortality in Helicoverpa armigera. Thus, aqueous extract of G diversifolia leaves possesses high fungi-toxicity and can be used as an eco-friendly, cost-effective and non-toxic alternative to harmful chemical fungicides. 2011
Raghavendra Ramachanderan Drug Synthesis: Braving Legendary Challenges St John’s International Residential School Drug synthesis is the most challenging field for the organic chemists because of its most tedious synthetic Chennai route. My project deals with the synthesis of three such molecules, all of them, may be a challenge. Tamil Nadu Firstly, a ‘glycoheterocycle’ which has an ‘active’ core caged by carbohydrates. The challenge lies in working Chemistry with carbohydrates. The implication of this molecule is that it is a potential drug. The synthesis of this molecule Recognition at Intel ISEF provides a concise path for creating other molecules as well which can be screened.
Minor Planet: Naming Process Under Way The second is the route to taxoids, which are a set of molecules that have unbelievably high medicinal properties against tumor cells. The challenge which still yearns easy methodology, is of construction of its ‘6, 8 framework’ Intel ISEF Best of Category Award of USD 5, 000 which is being tackled. My project applies powerful transforms to make this framework, with positive results. for Top First Place Winner The work can be extensively applied in the synthesis of taxoids, where the framework is no more a challenge. Grand Award First Prize of USD 3,000 The final challenge is in making a 4th generationβ -lactam Cephalosporin antibiotic, which is considered man’s defenses against bacteria. Cefepime, one such antibiotic is being synthesized. The key points of this synthesis are that it is reasonably eco-friendly, it could be scaled, concise and can be adopted in the synthesis of other β-lactam antibiotics as well, making up the largest set in the antibiotic-drug industry. 209
Ankur Kanjibhai Vaishnav Recycling Rexine Waste: A Novel and Economical Approach Shree P V Modi High School We have developed a novel and economic way of recycling rexine waste material by separating the fabric and Rajkot polymeric components using cryogenic grinding technique in a modified kitchen mixer. Gujarat For this we had frozen the rexine waste in liquid nitrogen. Then it was grounded to separate the polymeric Hetal Kanjibhai Vaishnav material and the cloth fibers. Later the polymeric material was used for making composite sheets and moulded Late Shree S G Dholakiya Memorial High School articles. The cloth fibers can be used for several downstream applications. Rajkot We took 100 g rexine waste, washed in hot water, dried in sunlight and cut into small pieces. Then it was taken Gujarat in a thermocol box and treated with liquid nitrogen for 2-3 min with all possible precautionary measures to make Environmental Management the rexine hard and brittle. The brittle rexine pieces were ground using the modified kitchen mixer for 5 min and seived (20 meshes/inch) to separate the cloth fibers from the polymeric powder. The polymeric powder was Recognition at Intel ISEF introduced into moulds at 120-130°C for 35-40 minutes and subsequently cooled to fabricate the composite Minor Planet (for Ankur): Naming Process Under Way sheets. Cloth fibers were sent for carding or making fiber boards. Grand Award Second Prize of USD 1, 500 2011
We have introduced different waste fibers like jute wastes, cloth fibers from rexine waste, along with fillers like wooden waste powder etc. to the polymeric powder for improvement of physical properties of the products. The finished products have been evaluated for mechanical and physical properties. Our product finds an immense application in furniture industry and also a substitute for MDF and plywood.
Pramoda Nekkare Vishnumurthy Eco-Friendly Ink from Terminalia Chebula Bhargava C S Ink is a vital educational writing/drawing material which is used to keep records since ancient civilization. A Sri Ramakrishna High School variety of inks available in the market are usually prepared by hazardous chemicals. Extensive research has been Puttur carried out to develop eco-friendly and non toxic ink from natural resources. Fruits of Terminalia chebula, a giant Karnataka tree growing abundantly in Western Ghats of India have been explored for production of natural ink. Environmental Management The fruits of T chebula have been powdered (1. 5 kg) and treated with water (1. 25 L) and ferric alum (100 gm) Recognition at Intel ISEF for 8 days. The mixture was then filtered, glycerol (5 ml) and acetone (5 ml) were added to the filtrate to obtain 210 the complex dye as the black ink. It was found to be equal or better when compared to the standard writing inks. Grand Award Third Prize of USD 1, 000 The ink is non-toxic, clear and hue, non-clogging and with good flow property. It is indelible in water, alcohol and acetone, does not fade under sunlight and maintained constant optical density. Additionally, we have added extracts of Bixa orellana fruits and Clitoria ternatea flowers to the preparation which resulted red and blue inks respectively. The ink thus obtained from is an eco-friendly natural product. The ingredients are easy to procure and can be scaled up in an industrial setup. It adds to the low cost natural product and finds application in fountain pens, screen printing, gel refills, ink-jet printing, ball pens, wall painting, coloring, xerox toners and preparation of indelible ink. Scientific Review Committee
211 The Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Dr Amal Kanti Paul • Microorganisms in chromite mining biotopes are is a critically important part of the another new field of research for exploring their Professor potentials in metal prospecting and bioremediation. Initiative for Research and Innovation Department of Botany Bioleaching of metals from mine overburden and in Science (IRIS), the single largest University of Calcutta biosorption of metals help in removal and recovery of science initiative in India. It includes toxic metals. Chromium-resistant bacteria ubiquitous Research Interest in chromite mine environment show bioreduction many eminent scientists, researchers • Concentrates on the physiology and biochemistry and bioaccumulation potential. Search for chromium and academicians. They are from various of synthesis and accumulation of biopolyesters, reductases in bacteria from anthropogenic and research institutes and scientific polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by diverse geogenous sources are under progress. heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria isolated Teaching organisations, and are very committed from natural environments. Efforts are being made to mentoring the student participants. to develop cost effective method for production • Microbiology: fundamental and applied aspects of 212 They have been a constant source of novel PHAs with improved properties from microbiology including Microbial Biotechnology renewable resources and to link PHA synthesis of inspiration and support to all the with bacterial metabolism and differentiation. Awards students, and have contributed greatly • There is a strong interest in studying intracellular • Visiting Professor in the University of Yangon, towards the success of the program. utilisation and mobilisation of accumulated Myanmar, under the Tripartite Agreement between PHAs by intracellular PHA depolymerise (i-PHA the Union of Myanmar, Ministry of External Affairs, depolymerise) as well as in vitro degradation of Government of India, and EdCil in 2005 and 2006 In this section, we profile the current homo- and copolymers of short-chain-length Professional Membership members of the SRC. We owe them, and hydroxyalkanoic acids (scl-PHAs) with emphasis on all those who were part of the SRC in isolation and characterization of extracellular PHA • Biotech Research Society depolymerises (e-PHA depolymarase). earlier years, a huge debt of gratitude. • Association of Microbiologists of India • Studies are also conducted on microbial ecology • Indian Mycological Society of serpentine soils, a naturally occurring metal- percolated ecosystem inhabited by endemic nickel hyperaccumulators. Diversity, metabolic physiology and metal resistance in serpentine and non-serpentine microflora are compared. Metal- microbe interactions in rhizo-microflora of metal hyperaccumulating plants are also studied for application in bioremediation approaches. Dr Arundhati Pal 3. Pal, Arundhati, Ghosh, S, and Paul A K (2006), • Fluorescence behaviour of enzymes and how Biosorption of cobalt by fungi from serpentine soil of their function/activity are affected under various Assistant Professor Andaman. Bioresource Technology 97: 1253-1258 experimental (e.g. drug induced) conditions Department of Botany 4. Pal, Arundhati, Dutta S, Mukherjee, P K and Paul, A K • Mechanism of regulation of transport enzymes Serampore College (2005), Occurrence of heavy metal-resistance by protein kinase (through phosphorylation), in microflora from serpentine soil of Andaman. endogenous stimulator and/or inhibitor proteins Area of Specialisation Journal of Basic Microbiology 45: 207-218. (to explore their role not only in cell regulation Microbiology, Microbial Biotechnology 5. Pal, Arundhati, Dutta, S, and Paul, A K (2005), but to study them in detail in order to examine Reduction of hexavalent chromium by cell-free if they have any phamacological importance and Research Interest extract of Bacillus sphaericus AND 303 isolated to use these modulators as drugs particularly as contraceptive drugs ), determination of amino acid • Diversity, metabolic physiology and metal resistance from serpentine soil. Current Microbiology, sequence of the regulator proteins, synthesise profile of serpentine microbiota from ultramafic 51: 327-330 peptides corresponding to the sequence, examine ecosystem of Andaman, India. Bioremediation the effect of the synthetic peptides and compare 213 studies using nickel-resistant rhizobacteria under- with the parent protein. neath Ni-hyperaccumulating plants. Chromium reduction by whole cells, immobilised cells and • Regulation of ATPases by synthetic compounds cell-free extract of Cr-resistant bacteria from Dr Parimal C Sen analog to certain know stimulators/inhibitors serpentine outcrops. of the ATPases and study their possible use as Professor anticancer agent. • Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates by rhizo- Division of Molecular Medicine bacterial strains underneath Ni-hyperaccumulators. Bose Institute Microbial endophytes from medicinal plants: Kolkata exploitation for bioactive compounds Academic Qualifications Selected Publications • Ph D, University of Calcutta (1977) 1. Pal, Arundhati, and Paul, A K (2008), Microbial extracellular polymeric substances: Central Research Interest elements in heavy metal bioremediation. Indian Journal of Microbiology 48: 49-64 • Different biochemical aspects of various transport enzymes e.g. Na+, K +-ATPase, Ca2+, Mg 2+-ATPase, 2. Pal, Arundhati, Wauters, G, and Paul, A K (2007), Ca2+-ATPase, etc, and their interactions with Nickel tolerance and accumulation by bacteria different drugs (contraceptive and amphiphilic) from rhizosphere of nickel hyperaccumulators from and lipids in natural and model membranes serpentine soil of Andaman, India. Plant and Soil 293: 37-48 Dr C S Yogananda Dr A Srinivasan • Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Instituto de Estructura de la Materia, CSIC, Madrid, Spain, from Head of the Department Professor October 1993 to September 1995 Department of Mathematics Department of Physics • Scientist Fellow, Length Standards Section, Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, from Mysore Guwahati November 1992 to September 1993
Academic Qualifications Academic Qualifications Awards/Honours Received: • B Sc, M Sc, Ph D • Ph D (Physics), Indian Institute of Science, • Department of Atomic Energy (Government of Bangalore (1992); Thesis title: Investigations on India) Young Scientist Research Award in Physics Research Interests the mechanical threshold in IV-V-VI glasses for the year 1996 • Include number theory, arithmetic, and • M Sc (Engg), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore mathematics education (1989); Thesis title: Some studies related to quasicrystalline materials Achievements & Interests • M Sc (Physics); Bharathidasan University, 214 • Obtained his Ph D in Mathematics in 1990 from Tiruchirapalli (1985) Dr Hemant Pande the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai • B Sc (Physics), Madras University (1983) Professor of Chemistry • He has been involved in the Mathematical Olympiad Hislop College Research/Academic Experience (Post-Ph D) Programme at different levels since 1989. Nagpur • His research interests lie in number theory. • Visiting Scientist, Magnetic Materials Center, • His other interests include classical music National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Research Interests Japan, from January 2009 to December 2009 and mountaineering. Engaged in research fields like: • Professor, Physics Department, IIT Guwahati, from • Analytical Chemistry July 2004 onwards • Water Pollution • Associate Professor, Physics Department, IIT • Polymer Chemistry Guwahati, from June 2001 to July 2004 With over 30 years of teaching experience to • Assistant Professor, Physics Department, IIT undergraduate and post graduate students, his Guwahati, from February1997 to June 2001 works include his research in natural adsorbent • Reader, Physics Department, Assam University, materials for purifying water. Silchar, from April 1996 to February 1997 • Visiting Scientist, Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, from October 1995 to April 1996 Achievements & Interests Dr Kishore Amin Dileep Paruchuri He has been: Cancer Research Institute IA Senior Software Engineer • Co-opted Member of the Executive Committee of Tata Memorial Hospital Intel Technologies India Pvt Ltd Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers Mumbai Bangalore • Governing Council Member of the Central India • 13+ years of industry experiencewith Intel for the Academic Qualifications Research Institute, Nagpur last 11+ years • Executive Member of Swadeshi Vidyan Sanshodhan • M Sc degree in Life Science • Responsible for Software Architecture, Planning Sanstha, Nagpur • Ph D in Biochemistry and Execution for Innovative Products Team • Vice President of Bharatiya Yatri Kendra, Nagpur Achievements Academic Qualifications • Resource person, for over 8 years, for the residential campfor the National Talent Search • Produced a number of monoclonal antibodies using • Masters in Software Systems from BITS, Pilani Examination, organised by State Institute for Hybridoma technology against cancer antigens • B Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from Science Education, Nagpur • Awarded research grants to conduct research in Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry diagnosis and solutions related to combating cancer • Involved in Olympiad activities for many years 215 Experience Summary He has been associated for over 5 years with IRIS. • Trained students and scientists in Hybridoma technology and Flow cytometry • Extensive experience in System Software, • He holds MSc degree in Life Science, PhD in Bio- Performance Optimisation, Data Networking, chemistry. Embedded Systems and Virtualisation domains spanning Linux, VxWorks, Moblin, and MeeGo • He has published research papers in national and Operating Systems Dr Harish Bhat international journals. • For the last three years, Mr Paruchuri is part of Active Environmentalist Dr Amin has been associated with Intel’s science the Intel Innovation Team, developing products Indian Institute of Science programs in India for over 5 years now: for local Indian markets. The team looks at Bangalore • Has conducted various workshops and delivered opportunities for creating new products that have lecture regarding initiating research in schools and the potential to directly and significantly make Dr Harish Bhat is an active environmentalist and is colleges a difference to people in India and worldwide by involved in a lot of Science popularisation programmes. • Trainer for teachers in research programmes in their unique usefulness and value add. These He has conducted the maximum number of workshops Intel’s science initiatives products can be very new with radically different for IRIS in South India and has inspired many students ideas or enhancements over existing products. to understand research and innovation. • Mr Paruchuri developed the Software for the He has also visited rural areas and has helped children “SmarTV”, “Universal Handheld Device”, a dual screen there develop a scientific bent of mind. Student Education/Study Device—all based on Intel Architecture. He has significant experience on IA and embedded devices platforms. Anuprita Rajesh • Led projects technically and from the project management perspective. Executive Assistant to the President – Intel India • Currently, he manages programs and products that Bangalore deliver innovative products to the market. Anuprita Rajesh is Executive Assistant to the President – Intel India since 2007. She has been responsible for general management of the President’s Office, and also supports the Intel India Operations Team, which includes internal business-enabling operations. Ajit Mutlenchera
Academic Qualifications Project Management Professional Intel Technologies India Pvt Ltd • Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from Ram Narain Bangalore Ruia College, Matunga, Mumbai (1994) • Master’s degree in Neurobiology from Mumbai Academic Qualifications University (1996) 216 • Masters in Information Technology (MIT) from MATS School of Information Technology, Bangalore • BBA from University of Madras, Chennai • Diploma in Sales and Marketing from Pentagon Sachin Chaubey Academy, Chennai
Senior Program Manager Experience Summary Intel Technologies India Pvt Ltd Bangalore • Manages projects and provides System Analysis support to the business. He has overall work Academic Qualifications experience of 10 years. • Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and • Successfully managed several projects within the Telecommunications organisation and created project plans to monitor project schedule and scope. Experience Summary • Manages projects involving cross-functional teams • Intel certified Project Management Professional focused on their delivery into a finished state (PMP), with experience in project planning, • Monitors the assigned task to project resource execution, monitoring and resource balancing personnel, such as business analysts and skills, with ability to support multiple simultaneous programmers through frequent follow up projects in a matrix organisational structure: more than a decade of experience in this area. Copyright © 2012 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. *Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. 0512/SK/DMB/SS/0.5K 327279-003