18-year-old Indian origin boy is being awarded the prestigious Intel Foundation ‘Young Scientist’ Award for inventing a device that can quickly shut down undersea oil spills. Karan Jerath of Friendswood, Texas, won USD 50,000 top prize on Friday at this year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF). He was one of the five students selected for the Intel and Indo-US Science and Technology Forum Visit to India Award. Jerath has won the prize for designing a sturdy device that can collect the oil, gas and water spewing from a broken well on the sea floor.

“Sensors inside the 350-ton device would measure the temperature, pressure and density of the mix of gases and fluids erupting from a well.” “A computer would then calculate how valves in the gadget should be adjusted so that the gas and oil can be collected. That should stop a spill in its tracks. The device could help prevent an ecological catastrophe. It also would reduce cleanup costs,” Jerath said.

Maya Ajmera, head of the Society for Science and the Public that conducts the IISEF, congratulated the winners and said, “These talented young students are the problem solvers and innovators of their generation.”

Many other Indian-American students have won awards in various categories, five of them getting the first award in their specialisations, biochemistry, behavioural sciences, environmental engineering, mathematics and energy physics.

The purpose of the Intel International Science and Engineering fair Awards is to bring out the talents in the students’ abilities to tackle challenging scientific questions, use authentic research practices and create solutions for tomorrow.

Karan Jerath has made proud for India by winning this prestigious award for the young talents which is being floated by the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. This helps to find the imaginations and capabilities of the students.

By Premji