Orange Middle School student Anuki Mudalige was recently recognized by the Ohio Invention League as the Edison Award winner at the 29th annual Ohio Invention Convention’s virtual award ceremony and celebration.
The convention presents students with an opportunity to display problem-solving and critical-thinking skills through prototypes they have invented. Mudalige, now in seventh grade, received the grade 6-12 category’s best of show award for her Smart iVent System, which she designed with the goal of conserving energy in HVAC systems.
Mudalige’s passion for saving energy was sparked during science classes, a personal favorite of hers along with math, she told The Gazette. In those classes, she’s learned about energy conservation and how the overuse of energy can lead to much more expansive issues such as global warming.
“I like inventions that save energy because I think when we save energy, we’ll basically save the world,” she said. “This year, I created an invention that will save the consumption of heat and energy for heating and cooling … Last year, I had an invention that saves the energy we already have from the natural environment. This year, I’m just saving energy in general because around 51% of the energy we use is for space heating and cooling in homes.”
In total, Mudalige estimated the Smart iVent System took around 10 months to design, although she added the work is never done because she’s always adding to the inventions to keep improving the design for maximum efficiency. She said the most rewarding part of the process is seeing all of her time spent on the project evolve into a goal that’s been realized.
“My favorite part was being able to create the project itself because I like seeing how all my work helps to create the prototype,” she said.
Innovation and imagination have always been part of Mudalige’s makeup, well before she was claiming awards for her work. Throughout her childhood, she’s enjoyed building things, regardless of the size or scope of the project at hand.
”Even if it was something small, I liked creating things around the house,” she said.
Although it’s her most distinguished award yet, the Edison Award isn’t the first time Mudalige has been recognized at the state’s annual celebration. Last year’s invention, named the SunXTube, received the Industry Innovator in Energy Award at the state level and earned Mudalige a spot at the 2022 National Invention Convention at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan.
The experience of seeing the national convention only furthered her passion and drive for her latest invention and served as a springboard to this year’s top honor.
“I really liked going to nationals,” she said. “Henry Ford was a great innovator. That kind of inspired me and helped me to present (the invention) better. I think last year’s experience has helped me a lot (with this invention).”
As the winner of the Edison Award at the state convention, Mudalige will again head to Dearborn next year to participate in the national convention.
Other local award-earning inventors included:
• Industry Innovator Transportation Presented by Honda, K-5thth grade: Mary Plantholt, 3rd grade, Delaware, for the “Car Seat Coat”
• Industry Innovator Transportation Presented by Honda, 6th-12thth grade: Claire Rhodes, 8th grade, Powell, for “ePark”
• Industry Innovator Technology Wearables/Fashion, K-5th grade: Gwen Khumprakob, 5th grade, Lewis Center, for “The Moodster”
• Industry Innovator Manufacturing/Tools, K-5th grade (team): Aadhya Dave, 3rd grade, Lewis Center, for “Glovester”
• Industry Innovator Manufacturing/Tools, K-5th grade (Team): Riaan Gajjar, 3rd grade, Lewis Center, for “Glovester”
• Industry Innovator Government/Public Safety, K-5th grade: Vinoda Thiyagarajan, 5th grade, Lewis Center, for “Smart Mailbox”
• Industry Innovator Earth & Sustainability, K-5 grade: Sanvi Keskar, 5th grade, Delaware, for “Cafawaste X 2000”
• Industry Innovator Energy presented by AEP Foundation, K-5th grade: Christian Li, 5th grade, Lewis Center, for “Wind Turbine Plus +”, A Hybrid Energy Solution
• Industry Innovator Energy presented by AEP Foundation, 6th-12th grade: Tarun Batchu, 8th grade, Powell, for “Trident”
• Industry Innovator Consumer Goods, K-5th grade (team): Olivia Squier, 3rd grade, Powell, for “Soundtastic Animals & Pillows”
• Industry Innovator Consumer Goods, K-5th grade (team): Isabella Mowles, 3rd grade, Powell, for “Soundtastic Animals & Pillows”
• 1st place in K/1 grade: Adrianna George, 1st grade Powell, for “Cone Cutie”
• 1st place in 2nd grade (team): Isaac Frost, Kindergarten, Delaware, for “Venus Trash Trap”
• 2nd place in 3rd grade: Bryson LaPlante, Powell, for “A Run in the Sun”
