Two of the top three winners at the 2010 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held recently in San Jose, California in the US employed advanced physics, chemistry and biology in their award winning projects with Sri Lankan Ganindu Nanayakkara being one of two Asians to reach the 1st Awards (Gold Medal) or higher. Past president of the Institution of Engineers and former Chairman of the National Engineering Research and Development Centre of Sri Lanka Jayantha Ranatunga who also officiated as a judge at the ISEF 2010 said Ganindu developed a laser guided hands free wireless computer controlling device that can be immensely beneficial to differently abled persons.
Overall winner, Chinese American Amy Chayo at the ISEF 2010, the world’s top science and engineering competition for pre-university students, developed a cancer fighting drug based on Quantum Dots. Mr. Ranatunga explained that Ms. Chayo attached quantum dots to Titanium Dioxide nanotubes. These nanotubes, when activated by high energy Ultra Violet rays, are able to produce a toxic unstable form of oxygen. The fact that cancerous cells tend to attract more nanotubes, compared to non-cancerous cells, is used to direct the cell killing toxins to the malignant cells. This method is currently used only to treat skin cancer as stronger UV rays needed to penetrate deeper into flesh can be harmful and itself could cause cancer.
In an attempt to find a safer alternative, Ms. Chayo attached lead sulphide quantum dots to nanotubes, which changed the type of rays required to activate the toxins. The method showed that less harmful Infra Red rays can be used to release the toxic oxygen. Mr. Ranatunga said this discovery will enable the use of quantum dots to treat a wider range of cancers in most parts of the human body.
Having interviewed the winner, Mr. Ranatunga said he was astounded by her remarkable ability to explain very advanced topics of physics and biology in simple terms and her vast knowledge of modern sciences. She had also conducted extensive survey of the current state of technology and had consulted some of the world renowned experts in the relevant fields including Nobel Laureates. She was rewarded with Gordon Moor Award, cash prize of US$75,000, several scholarships from Ivy League Universities and many trips to world science fairs including the Nobel Prize award celebrations.
Mr. Ranatunga said employing modest science at local innovation competitions are team efforts and collaborations using the latest scientific advances. “I feel it is the duty of the science and engineering community to guide our prospective competitors in those directions." |
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