Mapua University student Carvey Maigue was just named as the first Global Sustainability Winner at the James Dyson Award—an international design competition for engineers, open to 27 countries.
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The 27-year-old beat out a record number of over 1800 other entries with his renewable energy system dubbed AuREUS. Used for windows and walls of buildings, Carvey invented a novel material made out of rotting fruits and vegetables designed to absorb stray UV light from the sun which is then converted into renewable energy. Unlike normal solar panels, Carvey’s system works even if the material is not directly receiving heat from the sun.
British inventor James Dyson, of which the award was named, personally handpicked Carvey as the winner stating “As a farmer, I have always been concerned about covering fertile, food-producing, agricultural land in photovoltaic cells. Carvey’s invention demonstrates a convincing way to create clean energy on existing structures, like windows, within cities.” He continues “AuREUS is impressive in the way it makes sustainable use of waste crops, but I’m particularly impressed by Carvey’s resolve and determination.”
Carvey’s impressive invention utilizes the same scientific principle behind the northern lights. You can read more about AuREUS on the official James Dyson website here.
As for his reaction upon winning Carvey muses that the achievement is both a beginning and an end for him. “ It marked the end of years of doubting whether my idea would find global relevance,” he said. “I want to create a better form of renewable energy that uses the world’s natural resources, is close to people’s lives, forging achievable paths towards a sustainable and regenerative future.”
Along with the title is a cash prize of £30,000 or roughly P1.9 million.
