Competition Honors High School Students for Developing Innovative Solutions to Critical Global Issues
ARLINGTON, VA — March 20, 2012 — Applied Materials, Inc., in collaboration with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), today announced the grand prize winning teams and finalists in the first-ever Clean Tech Competition student challenge, presented by Applied Materials. The competition, a collaborative student design contest developed to inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators in the field of clean technology, immerses high school students in real-world challenges that illustrate the powerful potential of clean technology to address problems that confront humanity.
“The Clean Tech Competition provides students with the opportunity to understand and appreciate the collaborative nature of today’s innovation process, while illustrating the global need for clean tech solutions,” said Om Nalamasu, chief technology officer of Applied Materials and corporate champion of the Clean Tech Competition. “The Competition aligns with Applied’s dedication to technological innovation and scaling clean tech solutions to complex problems, while demonstrating Applied’s commitment to making a positive contribution in the communities where our employees work and live.”
The competition involved students, ages 13–18, from two global centers of innovation, the San Francisco Bay Area in California, and Xi’an, China. This year’s challenge posed to students was “Solar Solutions to the Rescue.” Teams of students, under the guidance of their teacher or other adult team leader, designed a solar-powered solution to a basic human need identified in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Participants identified a situation, explored the issue and then presented their clean tech solution to a panel of industry and education experts for judging. One grand prize winning team, two second place teams, three third place teams and four finalists were then selected from each region.
“The Clean Tech Competition not only encourages students to be both creative and scientific, but also requires them to think critically while developing innovative sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most challenging issues,” said Dr. Francis Eberle, Executive Director of NSTA. “We congratulate the winners and finalists and commend all of the teachers, team leaders and mentors for engaging and empowering their students to make a real difference in the world around them.”
Project entries submitted by student teams ranged from a tracking system to locate victims swept away by a tsunami or flood to a light-weight, chemically-active filtration mask that utilizes solar and battery power to reduce the risk of developing respiratory problems from overexposure to volcanic ash. Other projects included a solar-powered reverse osmosis water supply system and an emergency communication station that can direct search and rescue teams to a trapped person’s precise location after an earthquake.
The grand prize winning team in each region won $6,000 in cash prizes for their enrichment and education. Second place teams won $3,000, third place teams won $1,000 and the four finalist teams from each region won $500. All 20 team leaders received a $500 cash prize.
San Francisco Bay Area
Grand Prize Winners: John Zhao, Melody Hsu and Jun Chang
Coach: Daniel Stavis
Mentor: Robert Visser
Cupertino High School, Cupertino, Calif.
Project: H2Oasis
Second Place: Jonathan Russo and Matthew Malone
Coach: Allister Chang
Willow Glen High School, San Jose, Calif.
Project: L.A.T.S. (Location Awareness & Tracking System)
Second Place : Eric Linxie, Anthony Lim, Kenny Wibowo and Eric Lee
Coach: Robert Jackson
Mentor: Daniel Handjojo
Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon Calif.
Project: Solar Cube Battery
Third Place : Linxuan Fang, Samir Ghosh and Jaxon Welsh
Coach: Bakari Holmes
Mentor: Hemant Mungekar
Gunn High School, Palo Alto, Calif
Project: Project Sizzle
Third Place : Maya Sathaye, Shelby Rorabaugh and Lorraine Wong
Coach: Smriti Koodanjeri
Mentor: Martin Gothberg
The Harker School, San Jose Calif.
Project: A Solar Alternative to Charge Electric Wheelchairs
Third Place : Kadhir Manickam and Christopher Oh
Coach: Renee Fallon
Mentor: Suketu Parikh
Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, Calif.
Project: The Facio
Finalists: Ray Chen, Catherine Nguyen and Margaret Qian
Coach: Bakari Holmes
Mentor: Darshini Desai
Gunn High School, Palo Alto, Calif.
Project: Earthquake Emergency Communication System (EECS)
Finalists: Lillian Chu*, Marian Chu* and Joshua Tsuei**
Coach: Lisa Cochrum
Mentor: Ken Chu
Saratoga High School, Saratoga, Calif.*
Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, Calif.**
Project: How to Keep Food Fresh After an Earthquake
Finalists: Mary Gong and Surabhi Madhvapathy
Coach: Ram Narayanan
Mentor: Michael Stewart
Leland High School, San Jose, Calif.
Project: Solar Mask
Finalists: Yuzhang Chen and Aditya Gande
Coach: Daniel Stavis
Mentor: Sushil Padiyar
Cupertino High School, Cupertino, Calif.
Project: FRED (Flood Relief Emergency Device)
Xi’an, China
Grand Prize Winners: Liu Yifeng and Yang Fan
T eam Leader: Liu Quanming
Mentor: He Fengqin
The High School Affiliated to Xian Jiaotong University
Project: Solar Energy System of Prefabricated House
Second Place: Wang Shiqi, Wang Yutian and Zhao Runhan
Team Leader: Cai Min
Mentor: Wang Yichun
Xi’an Tie Yi Middle School
Project: Medical Solar Portable X-ray Viewer Used After Earthquakes
Second Place: Zhao Pu, Zhang Jiameng and Zhang Mengdi
Team Leader: Han Lei
Mentor: Wang Shuyu
Xi’an Tie Yi Middle School
Project: Dual Phase Waste Water Purifier
Third Place: Cheng Yuhan, Guo Zhaoqi and Yang Yihao
Team Leader: Dang Yali
Mentor: Zhu Lily
Xi’an Gao Xin No.1 High School
Project: A Brief Script of The Solar Amphibious Tent
Third Place: Liu Shuaiqi, Bai Tianyang, Chen Shiyin and Zhang Xiyao
Team Leader: Gong Shaohua
Mentor: He Jian
Xi’an Tie Yi High School
Project: Solar-Powered Airship Emergency Rescue and Disaster Relief Schemes
Third Place: Lu Qiangsheng, Zhang Yaodong, Wang Zhizheng and Chen Qingyuan
Team Leader: Liu Quanming
Mentor: Liu Wentao
The High School Affiliated to Xian Jiaotong University
Project: Multifunctional Flood Mitigation System
Finalists: Wang Huicheng, Lv Wentao, Li Zhuoyan and Wang Guowei
Team Leader: Qiang Zhike
Mentor: Fang Jun
Xi’an Tie Yi Middle School
Project: Parasol-Shaped Portable Solar Emergency Distiller
Finalists: Jia Bingxin, Yang Peilin, Liu Yundong and Jiang Shenghui
Team Leader: Gao Yuan
Mentor: Wang Chao
Middle School Affiliated to Northwest University
Project: Solar Energy Applications for Earthquake Relief
Finalists: Guo Yushuai, Zhang Tongrui and Guo Rongxin
Team Leader: Gao Yuan
Mentor: Gao Lei
Middle School Affiliated to Northwest University
Project: The Scheme for Solar Mobile Phone Relief
Finalists: Danf Shuxuan, Zhang Zhong and Li Wei
Team Leader: Cai Min
Mentor: Wang Jie
Xi’an Tie Yi Middle School
Project: Portable Machine Providing Emergency Food by Algae
For more information about the Clean Tech Competition, visit www.cleantechcompetition.org.
About Applied Materials
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in providing innovative equipment, services and software to enable the manufacture of advanced semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic products. Our technologies help make innovations like smartphones, flat screen TVs and solar panels more affordable and accessible to consumers and businesses around the world. At Applied Materials, we turn today's innovations into the industries of tomorrow. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership includes approximately 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
Contact
Amaya Wiegert, Applied Materials
(408) 235-4795
amaya_wiegert@amat.com
Kate Falk, NSTA
(703) 312-9211
kfalk@nsta.org
# # #