MRSM students' power bank design rakes in top award at Geneva

SEPANG: Two students from Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Kuala Terengganu caught everyone by surprise when they won the gold medal and best overall award at the 44th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva 2016 in Switzerland.
The victory was achieved by fifth formers Ahmad Asyraf Aqil Ariffin and Ahmad Luqmanul Hakim Ahmad Tarmizi through their "Power Bank: Exieco PB" creation, defeating 1,000 other participants from 48 countries at the competition organised from April 13 to 17.
Sharing his joy, Ahmad Ashraf Aqil said the idea of having the power bank powered by brine mooted when he was faced with electricity problem during the floods.
Ahmad Ashraf Aqil from Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, added that the idea was further developed by his schoolmates before they decided on creating the environmentally friendly product.
"The 6.5 volt device designed specially for charging smartphones is light, eco-friendly and user-friendly," he said when met at KL International Airport after a flight from Dubai today.
Elaborating, he said the power bank was created using three main components namely coal, aluminium and brine which acted to generate electricity.
"This power bank does not have any negative impact on consumers as it is environmental friendly and MRSM has submitted our invention to be patented," he added.
After it was announced that they were winners of the prize sponsored by the Egyptian government, the invention attracted the attention of representatives from several countries such as Nigeria and Algeria who expressed interest in marketing the product in their countries.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Luqmanul Hakim said the victory was what he had always dreamed of because apart from proving to himself, the achievement had made MRSM and Malaysia proud.
"For nearly two years we devoted our energy and creativity to create this invention and finally it has given us great satisfaction," said the Kuala Terengganu lad. — Bernama