Turning Body Heat into Power: Ann Makonsinki's Latest Inventions

BY MATT WILLIAMS | 3 min read

Ann Makosinski is no stranger when it comes to fame. When she was just 15, this high-school student from Saanich was appearing on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, hosting TEDx Talks, and appearing Time Magazine's 30 Under 30 list. And all because of an invention she made that has the potential to change the world and make life better for millions of people - the Body Heat-Powered Flashlight.

This invention, which utilizes a hollow tube and Peltier tiles, is able to convert the heat of the user's hand into an electric charge that can power LED lights for over 20 minutes at a time. Inspired by what a friend in the Philippines told her - about how she was failing school because her family could not afford electricity - Ann began looking into thermoelectricity as a means of providing people in developing countries with an alternative means of lighting.

In 2013, she participated in 2013 Google Science Fair, where her invention won the top prize in the 15-16 age category, earning her a $25,000 scholarship and a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” from either CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), LEGO or Google, and a trophy made out of Lego. Since that time, Makosinski has shown no signs of slowing down or stopping.

Ann being awarded the top prize in the 15-16 age category at the 2013 Google Science Fair. Credit: betakit.com

Not only is her flashlight now in production for mass use, she's been also been busy with a new series of invention that could improve the lives of even more people living in developing nations, where electricity is either unavailable or prohibitively expensive.

In the summer of 2014, Ann expanded on her flashlight concept and designed a body-heat powered headlamp, using the same principle of Peltier tiles to generate a thermoelectric effect. She then presented this device at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto in June, where she received the 2014 Weston Youth Innovation Award for the flashlight concept and was awarded $2000 in prize money.

And now, Ann is back with yet another thermoelectric invention - a simple device that turns any hot cup of coffee into a portable charger. Using some of the same principles as her "Hollow Flashlight", her "E-Drink" consists of a special coffee cup covered in Peltier tiles that uses the heat of a hot beverage to charge your gadgets via a USB port on the bottom of the mug.

Ann testing her Peltier tile design to see if they can generate enough electricty to power devices. Credit: award.designtoimprovelife.dk

“I saw how you get a hot drink…and you’d just be waiting and waiting for it to cool down so you can start drinking,” she said. “Why not harvest some of that lost heat, which is energy, and convert it to electricity?”

At the moment, there are not a lot of details forthcoming on the device. This is perhaps owing to the fact that Makosinski is planning on unveiling her latest invention at the upcoming 2015 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which will be taking place in Pittsburgh, PA from May 10, 2015 to Friday, May 15, 2015.

It also may have much to do with the fact that Makosinski is still working towards graduating from high school. But as always, the young inventor has shown a remarkable ability to balance the normal responsibilities of youth with her busy schedule as an inventor. In any case, Makosinski's efforts are an indication of what committed young inventors can accomplish when the right kinds of resources and encouragement are made available to them.

And given her track record, I think it is safe to say she stands a pretty good chance of taking home the top prize from the 2015 ISEF. And I would be very surprised if this were the last time we were to hear from the young inventor.

And be sure to check out this video of Makosinski, entitled "Unleashing the Thermoelectric Power Inside of You":

Top Image Credit: Global News

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