A unique source of energy

Rudo Mandiro

A bright mind knows no bounds.

This aptly describes a group of five Queen Elizabeth Girls High School learners.

Charmaine Mutongwiza, Daisy Ringoziwa, Panashe Mutumbi, Tanatswa Makota and Emaculate Zhuwankinwa appear like ordinary Form Five learners.

However, there is something extraordinary about them — their unique and innovative minds.

Recently, the five worked on a project to generate electricity using an ordinary bluetooth speaker.

The speaker was connected to ultrasonic sensors and cables that led to a bulb, which lights up when the speaker is turned on.

“What we only need is sound from readily available materials. The electricity is generated through sound vibration from the speaker,” said Mutumbi, as she explained the innovation to The Sunday Mail Society. “An electric charge is generated in response to applied mechanical stress.”

Since the system uses a rechargeable speaker, the electricity produced can only power a light-emitting diode (LED).

An LED is a semiconductor that glows when a voltage is applied.

The light can be used at home without any problem.

Mutongwiza, who is also the team captain, said the innovation, a sound-to-electricity generator, was a result of the group’s desire to positively change lives.

With more than 10 000 public institutions countrywide now electrified by the Rural Electrification Agency, the learner’s innovative generator will come in handy during load-shedding moments to light up places.

“What prompted us to work on this project is the desire to create an alternative source of power, especially in marginalised areas. We also have plans to boost electricity using the sound of an electric generator,” said Mutongwiza.

According to the students, with the use of sound from a generator that produces 20 watts from a litre of diesel, one can also get 40 watts through the sound produced while it is running.

“We can assist those with old generators to boost power using the sound-to-electricity principle,” said Ringoziwa.

Last month, the girls came second in the National Business Case Provincial Competition 2022 with their project.

They urged other learners to be innovative and assured them that anything is possible.