Sri Lankan students to take healthcare innovations to Intel ISEF 2016
View(s):Three students were selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) 2016, after they excelled at the recently-held Sri Lanka Science and Engineering Fair (SLSEF) 2016 with their innovative healthcare slutions. Chamindu Jayasanka from Hanwella Rajasinghe Central College was adjudged the winner at this year’s competition, whilst Abishek Stenush Gomes from Belvoir College International, Colombo was adjudged the first runner-up. P.M. Lochana Piyumantha from Madampe Senanayake Central College was declared second runner-up, according to an Intel media release.
Master Jayasanka’s winning project “Modified and adjustable crutches”, consists of crutches integrated with a seat that is height adjustable. The main feature of this product is that it offers the users the convenience of a seat when he or she finds it difficult to stand up for a long time period. The inventor’s project is a wearable glove to assist the hearing and speech impaired. The user makes a hand gesture which is identified by a pre-recorded sensory output table and the words are displayed on a smartphone application. Master Piyumantha, explored the effectiveness of a new nano-drug to use against Chemo-Endocrine Resistant Endometrial Cancer cells, the release said.
The SLSEF features the 10 best projects each from the Science Research Project Competition (SRPC) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) of Sri Lanka and the Junior Inventor of the Year (JIY) competition held by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL). The event which took place last month at the IESL auditorium is a prelude to the Intel ISEF. Sponsored by Intel, the winners will take part in the 66th Intel ISEF scheduled to be held in May 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Last year, Miss K. A. S. Subodha Sewwandi of Bomiriya Central College Kaduwela received a Fourth Place Award of $500 in the Engineering Mechanics: Mechanical Engineering category for the project ‘Supporting Rod to Climb Stair Case for Disabled Personnel’. Over the past seven years, 33 Sri Lankan students have participated at Intel ISEF while over 13 officials have attended the Intel Educator Academy. Sri Lanka has won five grand awards and eight special awards to date at the event.