2021 conrad challenge AWARDS
drum roll please… The Conrad Challenge is proud to introduce the student teams who were recognized at the 2021 virtual innovation summit. Congratulations to our 2020-2021 Finalists and all Conrad Innovators! You never cease to amaze us! :)
AEROSPACE & AVIATION
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
Skyelabs from nORTH CAROLINA, USA
North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics, Maiden High School & Green Hope High School
Pracheeti Shikarkhane, Suhani Ramchandra, Noelle Poovey, Callista Holleschak & Hrishika Roychoudhury
EcoGel is an aerogel made from banana fiber cellulose, a waste product of banana production. This product is a lightweight, low-density, highly porous, and low in thermal conductivity aerogel alternative used as insulation in spacecrafts, space stations, rovers, and lunar labs.
POWER PITCH:
eir clean company FROM new jersey, usa
Haddon Heights High School, Salem County Vocational Technical School & Salem High School
Kirsten Nelson, Gabriella Antunes, Natalie Catalano & Ella Bianco
The ValkEIRe is an autonomous robotic tool, created to sanitize the cabin of an aircraft, using sensors to navigate down the center aisle as it cleans it using two forms of disinfectant. The product uses retractable arms that use UVC light and sprayers to efficiently sanitize every high tough surface from passengers.
CYBER-TECHNOLOGY & SECURITY
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
TARDIS FROM VIRGINIA & cALIFORNIA, USA
Dougherty Valley High School, Phillips Andover Academy, Canyon Crest Academy & Falls Church High School
Charles Duong, Neel Redkar, Claire Wang & Andrew Gao
TARDIS is an effective, accessible, and ethical solution to neurological disorders and mental health conditions that uses an EEG (electroencephalogram) and a small processing chip to collect data on brain waves. This product aims to create and provide wider access to neurotechnology for those in need.
POWER PITCH:
CAVES from Virginia, USA
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology
Anirudh Bansal, Darius Kianersi & Suraj Uppalapati
The Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Encryption System (CAVES) is an all-in-one security system utilizing blockchain to prevent cyber-attacks on autonomous vehicles such as self-driving cars. This product is designed to prevent data tampering and illegal modification on the network, therefore reducing risk of vehicle control takeover cyber attacks.
dell technologies: sustainable packaging
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
Inside the box from flordia, usa
Gulliver Preparatory School
Porter Bowen, Alejandro Antorcha, Sabrina Sharma, Daniel Hagenlocker & Victoria Hagenlocker
Inside The Box uses corn and wheat grains to create biodegradable electronics packaging that provides all of the functionality of the standard corrugated cardboard shipping box and styrofoam inserts typically found in electronic packaging.
POWER PITCH:
dublo from Vancouver, canada
St. John’s School and St. George’s School
Kevin (Jinde) Zhang & Yihan (Alisa) Zhu
Sprout is a biodegradable material with ingrained seeds that germinate when planted. This material is made from recycled substances, such as waste coffee grounds and fibrous residues. This product aims to be the base material for a myriad range of sustainable products in the future.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
PETE CONRAD SCHOLARS:
eutropod from illinois, USA
Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy
Siddharth Tiwari, Rishitha Boddu, Philip Yi & Jasmine Liu
EutroPod is a highly concentrated solution of denitrifying enzymes used to combat eutrophication. This product alters the chemical structure of nitrates and nitrites by converting them into a form that is safe for the environment.
POWER PITCH:
smartbin FROM california, usa
Cupertino High School, Fremont High School & Monta Vista High School
Rishita Shah, Sudithi Manthati, Anagha Badriprasad & Sonia Swamy
The SmartBin uses aluminum waste to generate energy, primarily in the form of hydrogen. Their goal is to directly target the problems of failing recycling programs, ineffective micro-grid options, and carbon emissions by bringing recycling to the edge.
HEALTH & NUTRITION
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
EVAC FROM pennsylvania, usa
State College Area High School
Peter Liu & Emily Zhang
Extraoral Vacuum Aerosol Cup (EVAC) is an aerodynamically optimized suction cup that is designed to capture aerosols exiting from a patient’s mouth during dental procedures. The goal is to greatly reduce the risk of infection and decreasing overall airborne disease transmission.
POWER PITCH:
cocoon from california, USA
Spring View Middle School & BASIS Independent Silicon Valley
Neal Prakash & Zoe Nat
Cocoon is an infant multilayered swaddling blanket device that specializes in providing the Kangaroo Mother Care experience, it not only provides a thermoregulated environment, but also recreates the parent’s heartbeat and smell. The goal of this product is so that parents and caregivers in developing countries can give their infants care even when they're not continuously available.
oceans: the plastic pollution problem
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
JAYNEL SCOVERA from Vietnam
Saigon South International School
Chaewon Lee & Gyuseok Bae
The Scovera Mask is a cost-effective, fully-biodegradable face mask capable of capturing particles ranging from PM10 - particulate matters with diameter less than 10μm - to ultrafine PM. The goal of this product is to protect users from high levels of particular matter in our atmosphere that causes great respiratory threats using a biodegradable air filter.
POWER PITCH:
Luminet from california, usa
Monta Vista High School
Riya Ranjan & Anushka De
LumiNet is a completely biodegradable fishing net that reduces plastic pollution and uses light at specific wavelengths to protect marine wildlife that are victims of bycatch. This product is made from a blend of biodegradable polymers used to reduce the plastic pollution in the oceans and protecting species of fish caught for commercial use.
Smoke-Free World:
Re-purposed Farmlands & Tobacco Crops
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
ToPADcco from maryland, USA
Centennial High School
Yuri Lee & Emily Xing
The ToPADcco pad is a biodegradable, aloe-and-menthol-infused, tobacco-based menstrual pad. This product aims to combat the misuses of tobacco/nicotine in the tobacco industry and the discomfort of feminine hygiene products by building these feminine hygiene products as eco-friendly and comfortable.
POWER PITCH:
pectigrow from Nevada, USA
Ed W. Clark High School
Jang Choe, Darren Zhong & Brandon D'Souza
PetiGrow is a pectin-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) that incorporates tobacco and pectin from citrus peels. By combining these ingredients, this product aims to create a natural pesticide that is environmentally friendly and economical!
Smoke-Free World:
Eliminating & Reducing e-cigarette usage & WASTE
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
no more-waste from new jersey, usa
Watchung Hills Regional High School
Moha Trivedi & Sujay Boyapalli
no morE-waste produces biodegradable refillable e-cigarette pods that greatly reduces the number of incorrectly disposed e-cigarette pods. This product serves as a safe way to protect the environment while using e-cigarettes.
POWER PITCH:
nicotime from pakistan
Lahore Grammar School
Aleena Sultan, Nataliya Nadeem, Imtisal Ayyaz & Aleena Abbas
‘NicoTime’ is an adaptation of existing e-cigarettes, which is designed to regulate the nicotine consumption of smokers. This product consists of a mobile app that provides a platform for users to interact and motivate each other to quit smoking.
special awards
Each year, the Conrad Challenge partners with various organizations who would like to recognize the Finalist Teams with their own awards and incentives. This year is no different! Below are the special awards presented this year.
AIAA Scholarship Award:
kirsten nelson, eir clean company, Mullica Hill, new jersey, usa
Global Collaborator Award:
TARDIS, team members from virginia & California, USA
warped perception, team members from virginia, USA, the United kingdom & saint lucia
puffy, team members from massachusetts, uSA & The republic of Korea
alexis-1, team members from New york & ohio, usa & The republic of korea
Teacher of the Year:
Laura Keepax, inside the box, Gulliver Preparatory, Miami, FL
Social Media Award:
catalysing solutions, oceans: THe plastic pollution problem, isle of man