The sixth annual Invent for the Planet event was hosted at École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) in Aix-en-Provence, France. Marking its first international hosting, the event brought together minds from across the globe to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges over a 48-hour period.
Throughout the event, participants delved into a myriad of topics, ranging from environmental affairs and energy solutions to improving conditions in developing nations. This diverse array of challenges catalyzed creativity, fostering an environment where groundbreaking ideas could flourish. Six countries joined forces, each bringing their unique perspectives and expertise to the problem statements, as teams competed for first, second and third place.
Tied for first place, Team AquaVein from ENSAM pioneered a solution for clean water accessibility in Papua New Guinea. Leveraging local resources such as banana trees, clay, and sand, their product, AquaVein, offers a sustainable and easily adaptable filtration system. By empowering local communities and using cost-effective materials, AquaVein promises to make clean and safe water accessible to all.
“There is a lack of access to clean water in Papua New Guinea,” said Virgile Fabrese, a student in Programme Grande Ecole from ENSAM and member of Team AquaVein. “This product is for schools that are forced to close and populations that suffer from waterborne diseases. The water from banana trees are already filtered and safe to drink.”
The team also included two Texas A&M University College of Engineering students, Isabelle Baumler, and Jade Waldron who are on a Halliburton Engineering Global Program research internship exchange.
Meanwhile, Team Off the Grid from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) developed "Off the Grid Autoclave" to reduce surgical complications in sub-saharan Africa. By harnessing solar energy, their innovative sterilization solution provides a sustainable alternative to traditional methods, ensuring that essential medical equipment is readily available even in remote regions.
“Invent for the Planet was an amazing opportunity,” said Sofia Puche Moreno, mechanical and industrial engineering student and member of Team Six. “So many cultures came into one, and I met so many people from different continents. I learned a different way of thinking and how these same problems affect each part of the world differently.”
Securing third place, Team PureFlow from Habib University innovated a system for rainwater harvesting and purification. With a focus on providing clean drinking water to communities, the team prototyped a dual-purpose solution using a tank and filter system to provide a continuous supply of water both during the eight months of the rainy season and four months of dry weather in Papua New Guinea. Their dual-purpose solution offers a sustainable and cost-effective means of addressing water scarcity.
As the curtains close on another successful Invent for the Planet, the impact of these innovative solutions reverberates far beyond the competition. With a shared commitment to driving positive change, participants depart with newfound inspiration and determination to continue their journey towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
“There are eight universities here from Greece to Brazil, and Invent for the Planet brought together a wonderful mix of cultures,” said Jim Donnell, Director of the Meloy Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program at Texas A&M’s College of Engineering. “It is tremendously valuable for students to not only develop their ideas to be solutions to world problems, but to pitch these ideas. These are significant problems so the students cared and embraced them.”The Invent for the Planet finals being hosted at Art et Métiers stems from a profound collaboration between the university and Texas A&M’s College of Engineering. This partnership developed after over 20 years of cooperation in advanced manufacturing and material science. Through research collaborations, educational programs, faculty and student exchanges, and now intensive design events, AM² seeks to catalyze innovation and drive change on a transatlantic scale.
"The magic word is LEARN,” said Prof. Féthi Ben Ouezdou, Director of the Arts et Métiers campus. “Our mission is to educate, to raise awareness, to acculturate, to sow the seed of innovation, to position ourselves as agents of change, because students from all over the world have tomorrow's solutions in their hands.”