“After a restaurant behind her family’s home burned down last year, middle schooler Shanya Gill was inspired to create a device that could prevent such disasters — one more effective than the standard smoke detectors she said failed to identify the restaurant’s blaze in time. Shanya, 12, not only did just that, but also earned a national award and $25,000 for her idea.
Last week, she won the top prize in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge for a fire detection system that can differentiate between the warmth emitted from people and from heat sources, like stove burners. That differentiation allows it to spot unattended fires in seconds, far faster than smoke detectors, which only sound once smoke has reached them.
In a video from the competition, Shanya said her device is “more accurate, more affordable, and faster than any other smoke detector on the market.” She added that she wants to work with her fellow competitors to help bring all their inventions to fruition.
“It was surreal,” the San Jose, California, resident said of winning. “The suspense was really high, I didn’t feel much and now it’s kind of hitting me.”
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AEC Marketing and Business Development Leader
2wWhat an honor! Thanks Nichole for all you do for others in our community!