Engineering students from around the world took on the challenge to address real-world issues as part of the 2020 Invent for the Planet awards. Issues such as sustainable waste management for airlines, the presence of microplastics in our oceans and alternatives to single-use plastics.

“Over 800 students from 40 universities in 20 countries took part in this year’s competition, run by Texas A&M University. Teams chose from a list of 14 challenges drawn up by industry leaders and academics based on issues affecting the planet,” Electronics Weekly reported.

Judging was done locally and internationally over a number of stages until five finalists were selected and three winners chosen. This year the award ceremony was done virtually.

EFET Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Team Corais took first place and the $3,000 prize for their filter “containing magnetite, a recyclable metal which attracts microplastics (synthetic clothes fibres) to prevent them from being released into the waterways’.

Second and third places were awarded to Texas A&M Team ECOtory and Makerere University, Uganda, Team Hya Bioplastics respectively. Team ECOtory designed an “app that allows airlines to better gauge passenger needs to avoid carrying extra weight, and therefore reducing fuel consumption. As an incentive, passengers are able to exchange unwanted meals and amenities for airline miles”.

Team Hya Bioplastics developed a “biodegradable alternative to plastic packaging made from water hyacinths that infest the lakes of Uganda. By clearing the lakes of these invasive aquatic weeds the packaging design addresses two environmental challenges in one’.

This is the third year the competition has been held; “a 48-hour intensive design competition, which took place at more than 30 universities around the world. Students developed solutions for major issues facing society that have arisen as our world continues to modernize and become more populated. Over the course of two days, students at each campus formed teams, developed a plan and prototype, created a business plan and pitched it to a panel of judges,” the Texas A&M Engineering Department website noted. The university has hosted the event for its three years.