Top Eco-Innovators at IIT Madras: Exciting Developments Declared in the “Ideas to Impact” (i2I) Competition

The top five student eco-innovator teams in the first-ever “Ideas to Impact” (i2I) Challenge were recently revealed by IIT Madras. This ground-breaking program aims to promote creative solutions to environmental problems. This initiative has brought to light the extraordinary ingenuity and talent of students all around India, demonstrating their capacity to provide innovative solutions to urgent environmental problems.

A cash prize of ₹1 lakh has been given to each of the winning teams in appreciation of their innovative ideas.

However, the adventure is far from over. These teams are now prepared to move on to the coveted Carbon Zero Challenge, where they can potentially win up to $5 million in further prototype funding. Additionally, they can compete for the coveted ₹10 lakh Carbon Zero Challenge (CZC) seed grant, which can greatly advance their initiatives.

The winning teams’ creative ideas tackle a range of environmental protection and sustainability issues, making them impactful and diverse:

1. The goal of this project is to build a mobile production unit that can produce semi-torrefied mixed agro-waste biomass pellets that can be customised. By providing adaptable alternatives for various agro-waste kinds, this innovation seeks to improve the efficiency of biomass energy generation and contribute to sustainable energy solutions.
2. Electric Saw for Laterite Stone Industries: This group has created an electric saw that is intended exclusively for use in laterite stone industries and quarries. It is anticipated that the electric cutter will lessen the need for fossil fuels and the environmental damage caused by more conventional stone-cutting techniques.
3. Reusable Interlocking Bricks from Plastic Waste: This initiative has created interlocking bricks manufactured from recycled plastic waste in an effort to address the dual problems of plastic waste and a lack of building materials. In addition to being environmentally beneficial, these bricks provide a strong and useful substitute for traditional building materials.
4. Sustainable Packaging Made from Agricultural Byproducts and Crop Residue: Using crop residue, rice bran, lemongrass, and paddy straw, this creative packaging idea produces biodegradable and ecological packaging materials. This project intends to decrease plastic waste and encourage the use of renewable resources by utilising agricultural outputs.
5. Air Curtain System for Microplastic Removal: This team’s invention, an air curtain system, is meant to keep fish safe while filtering out microplastics from aquatic habitats. With the goal of preserving marine life and enhancing water quality, this technique tackles the serious problem of microplastic pollution in water bodies.

The winning teams represent a diverse array of institutions, including NIT Arunachal Pradesh, LBS College of Engineering, IIM Sirmaur, Kumaraguru College of Technology, and NIT Pondicherry. Their participation in the i2I Challenge underscores the widespread commitment to sustainability and innovation across various educational institutions.

This project not only showcases the amazing possibilities of young inventors but also gives them the tools and backing they require to realize their groundbreaking concepts. As these groups advance to the subsequent phase of the Carbon Zero Challenge, we are excited about the ongoing growth and application of their solutions.

We extend our congratulations to every team involved for their outstanding efforts in promoting environmental sustainability. Your inventiveness and commitment are genuinely motivating, and we are eager to witness the beneficial effects of your creations in the coming times.