Inventions

2006 Champion S.K.H. Bishop Mok Sau Tseng Secondary School Indoor Carbon Dioxide Filter
The concentration of carbon dioxide is high in many crowded indoor areas due to poor ventilation. In such circumstances, health can be affected. Mugginess caused by poor ventilation and high carbon dioxide concentration often makes people turn on air-conditioning even when the temperature is not very high. As a result, a large amount of electricity is wasted (according to the EPD, 60% of electricity is used in air conditioning). In Hong Kong, electricity is mainly generated from burning coal and natural gas. Wasted electricity causes serious air and thermal pollution, as well as producing greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) and radioactive waste. We have therefore designed a device that can absorb carbon dioxide indoors, thus reducing carbon dioxide concentration and the use of air conditioners.

Inventions

2005 Champion M.K.M.C.F. Ma Chan Duen Hey Memorial College Innovative Stationery
Painting is one of the most popular activities for children. Since they frequently come into contact with the dyes in the paints they use, parents always worry about the safety of the colours in the paints. The majority of the dyes available on the market contain ingredients widely used in industrial environments which are toxic to humans. To avoid accidental ingestion of harmful substances we invented "Innovative Stationery". The coloured pigments to be used in such stationery are extracted from fruit. First we heated and mixed certain fruits. The resulting fruit juice was too watery for a dye, so "clotting agents" including flour, a rising agent and egg white were mixed with it to form a semi-solid solution. In choosing the colours, we tried our best to ensure that every single piece of raw material used was harmless to humans.

2004 Champion
S.K.H. Li Ping Secondary School
Cinnamon Substance Investigation

2004 1st Runner-up
Maryknoll Fathers' School
21st Century School Intranet ?

Although intranets were first invented about 10 years ago none of those on the market really suit the needs of schools whereas this one does.
Features
? supports multiple languages
? has an open source code that is easy to install
? login procedures are handled by a single function
? uses php and can run on Linux thus reducing costs
? can be customised by schools

Functions
? Club Admin function
? Template function for various login accounts
? ‘Book Room System’
? ‘Submit Project System’ that can be accessed by both teachers and groups of students
? Interactive Multiple Choice Quiz

2004 2nd Runner-up
Diocesan Girls' School
The Myth of Dinosaurs' DNA

2004 2nd Runner-up
Cognitio College (HK)
Smart Cane

2004 Honourable Mention
Belilios Public School
An Overview of Calcium in Mushrooms

2004 Honourable Mention
Yan Chai Hospital Lan Chi Pat Memorial Secondary School
Remote Control Gadget for Catching Aquatic Organisms

The idea for this project came when the crocodile appeared in the Shan Pui River at Yuen Long. The invention consists of several components. The first is a remote control apparatus which allows capture of an animal from a distance. The second is a waterproof mechanism. The third is an automatically controlled cage, which can vary in size according to the creature to be captured. The final part is a waterproof camera connected to a computer. Although we can make this gadget work, we still have doubts about whether any crocodile could, realistically, be caught with it when so many other methods so far have failed but we value highly the learning experience of working on it nonetheless.

2003 Champion
The Mission Covenant Church Holm Glad College
Bus Acoustic System

Nowadays, bus remains the most popular form of public transport in Hong Kong. On the bus, radio broadcasting systems and even LCD monitors are installed to provide entertainment to the passengers. But we always hear that some passengers complain to the driver about the volume being too high or too low. We decided to create a perfect broadcast system by making use of the interference of sound. This system can achieve both the static and dynamic needs. This would allow passengers in some seats to listen to the broadcast and the other passengers to enjoy a quiet journey.

When two sound waves of similar amplitudes and frequencies meet, constructive interference appears in some positions and destructive interference appears in other positions.

The line which links the positions of constructive interference together is called the anti-nodal line. The line in between the anti-nodal lines is the nodal line. The nodal line links the positions of destructive interference together. We know the theory “intensity μ amplitude2“ from the studies of Physics. When constructive interference appears, the amplitude will increase by two times and the intensity will increase by four times! When destructive interference appears, the amplitude and intensity will become zero.

After various repeated experiments by using anti-phase loud speakers, we noticed that at the positions with destructive interference, the broadcast was not heard clearly and the noise level was only 85dB. At the positions of constructive interference, the broadcast was very clear. To achieve the best results, we also placed sound absorbing wavy foam on the floor of the model to reduce the reflection of sound. The idea can be further extended to develop a multi-lingual broadcast system.

2003 1st Runner-up
The Church of Christ in China Tam Lee Lai Fun Memorial Secondary School
Intelligent Security Robot

Living in the era of information technology, we created an “intelligent security robot” based on our study of electricity and modern technology. The product enables its owner to observe their home and surrounding environment. Therefore, the house owner can correctly and promptly respond to hazards of different degrees, thus fortifying household security.

We hope our product will be scientific (i.e. integrating automatic control, Internet, security system and telephone into one which improves quality of life), advanced (the advanced, intelligent electronic system is highly reliable). It can replace the old mechanical theft-preventive device. In fact, electronic theft-preventive devices are widely used in advanced countries and pricing are becoming lower and lower and it is easy to operate.

The product can monitor home environment through the closed-circuit TV connected to the computer. If an accident occurred or temperature exceeded over a specific range, the system will inform their user automatically. If someone tries to break into the house, our liquid crystal screen device will record the person’s appearance and informed the house owner. We can interconnect house owner, the robot and the police station through our 3G System. Other important function included recording, amplification, video recording and its patrol throughout the house.

2003 2nd Runner-up
Kowloon True Light Middle School
Golden Section

Golden Section is a famous mathematics theory. Before human beings discovered this perfect ratio, it has already existed in this world. In this research, we studied the examples of Golden Section both in nature and human society. This includes geometry, nature, art, human body ratio, Chinese medical science and stock market.

In geometry, Golden Section can make endless graphics which are comfortable in sight. In the nature, we find that Golden Section and Golden Ratio exist in animals and plants. Golden Section is also used in the design of many modern buildings. In painting and sculpture, Golden Section is also used to determine the ratio of the human body and the positions of the characters in the painting. By comparing with the Chinese medical theory, Golden Section fits the points on the body that are deemed very important to human’s health. In the stock market, the Golden Ratio can also be used to forecast the change of the rates.

In this research, we collected real data to show the existence of Golden Section in our lives. The data showed that Golden Section and Golden Ratio really exist, and this theory can be applied in a number of areas. Actually, there is still much room for the further application of this theory.

2003 Honourable Mention
Cheung Chuk Shan College
Fire Escape Route Indicator

Usually when a fire occurs in a building, people do not know which floor is on fire, and whether they should go down or go up to escape and which route is the safest. With the help of this Fire Escape Route Indicator, the most suitable fire escape route will be shown. For example, when the third floor is one fire, the device on the second floor or below will instruct the residents to go downwards while that on the fourth floor or above will instruct the residents to go upwards. This Indicator should help people escape orderly and quickly so as to minimize causalities.

After trials and errors, we discovered that the most possible design of this Indicator is to use logic gates for circuit connection. To test our circuit design, a model building with six floors was constructed with acrylic board. The black smoke generated in a fire is simulated with black plastic sheet which dim the light from a fluorescent lamp shining on the model. The sensitivity level at which the circuit is triggered is controlled by a variable resistor.

2003 Honourable Mention
S.K.H. Bishop Mok Sau Tseng Secondary School
Wireless Transformer

Recent developments of portable electronic devices have been boosted up dramatically. All these devices brought us the ultimate striving for lighter weight, slimmer design, greater performance and so on. But there is still a major problem: the power problem. The batteries have a limited lifetime, and are not suitable for a long-time usage. A power cord must be connected to the devices, and it is an eyesore to users. Our goal is to UNWIRE COMPELETELY.

The objective of our project is to invent a convenient power supplying system for electrical appliances, especially electronic devices, that requires NO POWER CORD. The product is a foldable, mat-like power transmitter, and a plane-shaped power receiver. When in use, the receiver, which is directly connected to the appliances, is just placed on the transmitter mat. Electric power is transmitted from the mat to the receiver, and to the appliances. This provides users with great convenience, especially in the office where you have nowhere to hide the ugly thick wire.

2003 Honourable Mention
St. Paul's Convent School
Environmental Killer - Detergent

Detergent is one of the necessities in our daily life and phosphate is a common chemical found in detergent. Phosphate is added as "builders" to sequester hard water producing metal ions like calcium and magnesium, and increase the cleansing ability of detergent by stabilizing dirt particles in solution. However, since phosphate is a constituent of fertilizer, it will cause explosive growth of algae and lead to eutrophication.

Our investigation is divided into two parts. In part 1, we will determine the phosphate content in different brands of detergent through precipitation and Molybdenum method. In part 2, two types of environmental-friendly detergents will be made by using household products.

Results of Part 1 show that ‘Brand A’ has a high phosphate content whereas ‘Charmy Green’ and ‘Parknshop’ are good choices for customers as they are not expensive and have low phosphate content. In Part 2, best emulsifying effect can be obtained when baking soda is mixed with ammonia and vinegar. Egg yolk in neutral medium can also help cleaning oily dirt. To conclude, when we choose our detergent, we should not only focus on its cleansing ability, but also its effects on the environment

2002 Champion
T.W.G.Hs. Wong Fut Nam College
Anti - Oscillation System

2002 1st Runner-up
St. Paul's Convent School
Generating Electricity from Pencils and Aluminium Cans

2002 2nd Runner-up
Belilios Public School
Water Treatment by Electro-coagulation

2002 Honourable Mention
Belilios Public School
Production and Application of Ozone

2002 Honourable Mention
DMHC Siu Ming Catholic Secondary School
Supreme Absorber

2002 Honourable Mention
Tin Shui Wai Government Secondary School
Fungi - New Source of Protein

2001 Champion
Kiangsu-Chekiang College (Kwai Chung)
Wise Window

2001 1st Runner-up
St. Paul's Convent School
Nature's Medicine - Tea

2001 2nd Runner-up
T.W.G. Hs. Li Ka Shing College
<Green 2001> Toothpaste

2001 Honourable Mention
Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School
Milk Paint

Have you ever been choked by the strong odour of paint? Or most importantly, have you ever realized its damage to our health and our environment?
The aim of our project, is to use natural materials to produce a paint that is environmentally friendly and non-toxic from natural materials. After a series of extensive tests, we can conclude that milk paint can be a substitute for commercial paint. Furthermore, milk paint has the following advantages over commercial paints: 1. environmentally friendly; 2. natural (made from milk or even spoiled milk); 3. cost effective (reduce wastage of milk); 4. easy to prepare; 5. non-flammable (safe for domestic use); and 6. paints equally well on different surfaces.
Next time when you find that the milk in your refrigerator has turned bad, don’t throw it anyway! You can produce milk paint from it.

2001 Honourable Mention
Pok Oi Hospital Tang Pui King Memorial College
Robot for Tissue

To many people, it is easy for them to tear off toilet paper. However, it might be difficult for the disabled. In this regard, based on the mechanical principle of tearing off toilet paper with human hands, we invented the “Robot for Tissue”. The design is based on three sets of circuits. One set of the circuits pulls the toilet paper down. Another set draws the toilet paper tight and fixes its position. The operation of the third circuit set tears off the toilet paper accordingly. By simply pressing three buttons, the “Robot of Tissue” can tear toilet paper off. In addition, the “Robot for Tissue” is made by recycled materials. It is not only a meaningful but also an environmentally friendly design.

2001 Honourable Mention
Diocesan Girls’ School
Toothpaste