In today’s fast-paced world, many people take access to electricity for granted. Yet millions especially students, rural communities, and travelers   still struggle to stay connected during power cuts or while away from reliable electricity sources. Portable solar chargers offer a practical and eco-friendly solution to this growing issue.

Most students and travelers rely heavily on devices like phones, tablets, and laptops for learning, work, and communication. However, traditional power banks need to be charged in advance, which isn’t always possible during long trips, camping, or in areas with unreliable electricity. Long power outages in developing regions show a clear need for affordable, lightweight, portable energy options.

A portable solar charger helps fill this need by letting users create clean energy anytime, anywhere. Unlike large solar panels meant for homes, these compact devices fit easily in a backpack. They are perfect for students on campuses, travelers in remote places, or communities that frequently lose power. They reduce reliance on grid electricity and support sustainability by encouraging the use of renewable energy.

The benefits go beyond convenience. Students can keep learning online without interruptions. Travelers can stay safe by remaining connected. Rural communities can power essential devices without expensive infrastructure. This issue matters to me because I have faced power cuts during critical times—whether studying or traveling—and I know how frustrating that can be.

These devices could include features like fast charging, multiple USB ports, and storage batteries to save solar energy for later use. With affordable prices and easy access, portable solar chargers could become everyday essentials, providing reliable and green energy on the go.

This matters to me because me and my friends face a lot of problems when our phones are not charged as some take cabs,some drive and some need phones for pther works. I faced this problem manytimes

“FlavorSwap” – Transforming Taste Experiences

The FlavorSwap system combines a pill and a VR headset to revolutionize how we experience food. Users take the FlavorSwap Pill, which contains active compounds and mild neural stimulants that interact with taste receptors and gustatory neurons, temporarily altering the perception of flavor. At the same time, a connected VR headset provides immersive visual and auditory cues that enhance the perceived flavor, texture, and environment of the food being consumed. For example, a person who dislikes vegetables could perceive broccoli as a cheesy pizza while seeing a virtual pizza parlor around them, or someone taking medicine might experience it as a decadent chocolate dessert in a soothing virtual café.

Problem It Solves:

Many people face challenges with unhealthy eating habits, picky eating, or medical diets. Children often resist nutritious foods, patients may need to take bitter medicines, and individuals on restrictive diets struggle with compliance. Currently, there is no effective way to alter taste perception safely, leaving people either avoiding essential foods or enduring unpleasant experiences.

Gaps in Current Market:

Existing methods rely on masking flavors with sauces, additives, or artificial sweeteners, which do not change the actual taste experience.

VR and digital taste simulations cannot affect real-world food.

No solution exists that can directly interact with taste neurons to modify the perception of actual food in real-time.

Who Benefits:

Children and picky eaters, making healthy foods enjoyable.

Patients who need to take medicines or supplements they dislike.

Health-conscious individuals following strict diets.

Food services and hospitals, improving compliance with nutrition plans.

Why It Matters:

This problem is personal because many people, including myself, often struggle to enjoy healthy foods or medicines. A solution like the FlavorSwap Pill would make nutritious eating pleasant and effortless, improving health outcomes and overall quality of life.

Technical Details :

The pill contains targeted compounds that safely activate specific taste receptors, temporarily modifying flavor perception.

The VR headset synchronizes visuals, sound, and even subtle motion cues to enhance the perceived texture and context of food.

The pill and VR system communicate via a secure wireless link, allowing real-time adjustment of flavor perception to match the virtual environment.

Users can customize flavor profiles and VR settings according to preferences and sensitivities.

Mirai Band: A Low-Cost Safety Wearable for Women, Kids & Elderly

1. The Real-World Problem

Everyday safety is still a big issue. Women feel unsafe traveling at night, kids can wander off or get into risky situations, and elderly people who live alone often face falls or medical emergencies with no one around. The usual options—pepper spray, mobile apps, even calling someone—don’t always work when things actually get serious.

2. The Gap in Current Solutions

Smartwatches like Apple or Samsung do have SOS features, but they cost ₹30,000+ and need charging almost every day. That’s just not practical for most families.

Safety apps depend on unlocking your phone and opening them, which is impossible when you’re panicking.

Pepper sprays or alarms can scare someone off, but they don’t alert family or police.

Basically, there’s no affordable, single-purpose safety device that just works when you need it.

3. The Solution (Mirai Band)

Mirai Band is a simple, focused safety band:

Hidden SOS Button: One press or squeeze instantly shares live location with family/police.

Standalone Device: Built-in GSM + GPS → doesn’t depend on pairing with a phone.

Immediate Deterrent: Loud 90dB siren + flashing strobe light.

Extra Safety: Fall detection for elders, geo-fencing alerts for kids.

Battery: Lasts 2–3 weeks, not 1–2 days.

Cost: ₹1,500–₹3,000 device, with optional ₹199–₹499/month for monitoring services.

4. Who Benefits

Women: Feel safer when commuting or walking alone.

Parents: Get peace of mind when kids are outside.

Elderly: Immediate help in case of medical emergencies.

Community: Faster responses and fewer tragedies.

5.Why This Problem Matters

Safety is not something extra—it’s a daily need. I’ve seen situations where people couldn’t reach for their phone in time, and small things like an instant alert could’ve saved them. Right now, safety tech feels like a luxury product for the rich, but it should be something every family can afford. That’s why Mirai Band matters: it’s about making safety accessible for the future.

 How It’s Different From Apple Watch

Yes, Apple Watch has SOS. But it’s mainly a fitness gadget with a price tag that locks it out for most families. It needs an iPhone, daily charging, and multiple steps to trigger SOS. Mirai Band is completely different: it’s made only for emergencies, costs 20x less, lasts weeks on a charge, and can be activated discreetly. Where Apple Watch is a lifestyle accessory, Mirai Band is a lifeline.

The Design as a Fashion Accessory

Most safety gadgets look bulky or medical, which makes people avoid wearing them daily. Mirai Band is designed to look like a stylish fitness band or bracelet, with customizable straps and colors. It blends in as a fashion accessory, so women can wear it to college, kids to school, and elders at home without feeling awkward. To outsiders, it looks like a normal wristband, but inside, it’s a discreet safety tool. That mix of style + hidden function makes people actually want to wear it, instead of throwing it in a drawer

6. Technical Details

Core Modules: GSM (SIM800 series), GPS (NEO-6M), low-power MCU (ESP32/STM32).

Battery: 500–600mAh lithium, optimized for long standby.

Communication: Sends SMS/calls directly → works without internet.

Companion App: For setting SOS numbers + optional live tracking.

Manufacturing: Can be prototyped using standard IoT components and scaled in bulk.

Mirai Band isn’t just tech—it’s hope. A future where families feel safer every day.

The Companion : An AI Companion for the Elderly

Problem Statement

Elderly individuals, particularly those facing memory-related issues like Alzheimer's and dementia, navigate a world not built for their needs. Daily life is fraught with challenges: from misplacing essential items like keys or glasses to forgetting to take life-critical medications on time. In a health crisis, such as a sudden blood pressure spike or a fall, the delay in calling for help can have dire consequences.

Current technology, while advanced, often falls short. Mainstream voice assistants require precise commands and a degree of technical savvy that many seniors lack. They are not designed to understand the nuances of an individual’s daily routine, provide memory support, or integrate with personal medical devices. For a population that is increasingly digitally isolated, the need for a simple, empathetic, and reliable companion is more urgent than ever.

Gaps in Current Solutions

Existing products and services, while well-intentioned, fail to offer a holistic solution.

• Generic Voice Assistants (Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant): These tools require precise commands and are not always fluent in regional Indian languages. They are primarily cloud-based, raising significant privacy concerns for sensitive personal and health data. They cannot track physical objects or provide personalized memory support.

• Medical Reminder Apps: These require a smartphone, which many seniors find difficult to use. They lack the conversational, voice-based interface that is crucial for a user with cognitive impairments.

• GPS Tracking Devices: While useful for location, these devices offer no companionship, health monitoring, or memory assistance. They address only a small part of a much larger problem.

• Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems: These are designed for medical professionals, not for patients. They are complex and impossible for an elderly person to navigate independently.

There is a clear and critical gap for a single, comprehensive solution that combines a conversational interface, memory assistance, health monitoring, and object tracking in a way that is simple, secure, and genuinely empathetic to the needs of the elderly.

Proposed Solution - The Companion : A Personal Guardian for Wellness

The Companion is a personal, screenless, and AI-powered wearable device designed to be a health guardian and memory companion for the elderly. Worn discreetly on a person's clothing, it provides a voice-first experience that proactively assists users throughout their day.

Key Features

• Continuous Vitals Monitoring: The Companion pairs with Bluetooth-enabled vitals monitors to passively track crucial health metrics like blood pressure and blood glucose. The AI learns the user's typical health patterns and is programmed to detect any significant discrepancies. If a reading is outside the normal range, it will proactively send an alert to the user and their designated family members.

• Conversational Assistant: The device is built with advanced speech technology to understand and speak in a wide range of regional languages from across India. Users can simply talk to the device to ask questions or get assistance, making it accessible even for those with limited technological literacy.

• Personalized Memory Aid: For individuals with memory loss, it acts as a patient and tireless companion. It can answer questions about daily routines, remind them of scheduled tasks, and help manage their medical records. A simple voice command can get a concise summary of their last doctor's visit or a reminder of which medicine to take.

• Immediate Emergency Response: In a health crisis, it acts as an instant lifeline. If a paired vitals monitor detects a dangerous reading or if an integrated sensor detects a fall, the device will automatically and instantly contact pre-selected family members or caregivers via its cellular connection, providing them with the user's location and the nature of the emergency.

Technical Architecture and Privacy

The Companion is a self-contained device powered by a compact, low-power processing unit. It houses a microphone array and a speaker for clear, two-way communication.

Hardware Components

The core of the device is an ARM-based System on a Chip (SoC), chosen for its efficiency and low power consumption. This SoC runs a custom, lightweight operating system. For connectivity, this includes a Bluetooth module to pair with health monitors and a cellular modem for sending emergency alerts independently of a home Wi-Fi network. It also integrates an accelerometer and gyroscope for precise fall detection.

Software & AI Stack

The device's software is built on sophisticated Speech-to-Text (STT), Text-to-Speech (TTS), and Natural Language Processing (NLP) engines. These are optimized to run efficiently on the local hardware, allowing them to understand and respond to voice commands in various regional languages without constant cloud reliance. The core logic for data processing and AI modeling resides on the local server, with the pin acting as the primary interface.

Privacy & Data Architecture

A key principle of The Companion is privacy. All personal and sensitive data—including health vitals, daily routines, and medical records ,is processed and stored exclusively on a local server installed in the user’s home or neighborhood. This on-premises data model ensures that sensitive information never leaves the private network, placing the highest priority on user privacy and security. The pin only uses a cloud connection to send emergency alerts to caregivers and to receive necessary software updates. The data flow is designed so that the pin transmits raw, encrypted data to the local server, which performs all the heavy lifting of analysis and data management.

Personal Motivation

This project is deeply personal. I have witnessed first and the struggles of my elderly family members with memory issues, and the constant worry their families endure. Current consumer technology, with its focus on entertainment and productivity, has left a significant portion of the population behind. They deserve a solution that is built specifically for their needs—one that speaks their language, understands their challenges, and provides a sense of security and companionship.

The Companion is more than just a piece of technology; it is a means to restore dignity and independence to the elderly, while reducing the immense burden on their families. For those with Alzheimer’s, it will act as a patient and reliable digital memory companion.

Problem:

Helmets are an essential safety gear, but they come with a common problem—sweat, odor, and bacterial buildup. For individuals who commute daily on two-wheelers, this means starting the next trip with a smelly, damp helmet that messes up hair and feels unhygienic. For rental facilities like go-karting sites and indoor cricket nets, the issue is even bigger: shared helmets are used by multiple people daily, quickly becoming unpleasant and raising hygiene concerns. Current practices like sprays or occasional washing are either temporary fixes or impractical for frequent use.

Gaps in the current solutions:

Some solutions already exist in the market, such as portable UV sanitizers for personal helmets and large self-service sanitizing stations in public areas. While these approaches are promising, they have limitations. Portable versions are usually restricted to UV treatment only, without active drying or freshness restoration. On the other hand, large sanitizing kiosks are not convenient for everyday use, and they often require significant investment and space, making them less suitable for small rental businesses.

Proposed solution:

My idea is to develop a portable helmet freshener and sanitizer system that combines the best of both worlds. The device would be compact and easy to use: simply place the helmet inside, and within 10–15 minutes, the system would sanitize it using UV-C light to kill germs, a built-in fan to circulate air and remove moisture, and optional fragrance cartridges to restore freshness. Unlike sprays that just mask odor, this tackles the root cause by eliminating bacteria and sweat buildup.

Who benefits from this:

The solution fills a critical gap. People who use helmets regularly gain consistent hygiene without the hassle of washing liners. Businesses that rent out helmets gain a fast, reliable way to clean equipment between customers, improving both safety and customer satisfaction. Beyond biking and cricket helmets, the same technology could also be adapted for boxing headgear, martial arts protective helmets, and other sports equipment that come into close contact with sweat and skin. Facilities could even process multiple items at once with a scaled-up version, making operations smoother.

Why this matters to me:

This problem matters to me because I’ve personally experienced the discomfort of putting on a helmet that still felt damp and smelled from the last trip. It not only ruins the experience but also affects confidence and hygiene. The same frustration exists with shared sports gear that hasn’t been properly cleaned. A reliable freshness and sanitation system can turn this into a worry-free experience—keeping helmets and protective equipment safe, comfortable, and pleasant to wear every time.

1. Introduction

Every day, millions of tons of microplastics enter rivers, lakes, and oceans. Household washing machines alone can release up to 700,000 tiny plastic fibers per wash, which pass through sewage systems and contaminate our food and water.

India, with its rapid urbanization and heavy reliance on synthetic fabrics, contributes massively to this invisible pollution. While we strive for clean clothes, we’re unintentionally harming our environment.

HydroNet asks: What if every wash, every drain, and every community could help stop microplastics at the source?

2. The Problem

• Invisible Pollution: Microplastics are too small for traditional wastewater treatment plants.

• Health Risks: Accumulate in seafood, salt, and even drinking water.

• Accessibility Gap: Only expensive premium machines have built-in filters; most households, hostels, and apartments are unprotected.

• Collective Neglect: Shared facilities amplify pollution, yet no coordinated solution exists.

• Disposal Dilemma: Trapped microplastics must be properly collected; otherwise, pollution persists.

3. The Solution: HydroNet

HydroNet is a modular, clip-on microplastic filtration system for household and community water outlets. Its design allows it to scale far beyond washing machines.

Key Features:

• Biodegradable Cartridge: Made from PLA or cellulose-based mesh, compostable under industrial conditions.

• Responsible Disposal Loop: Users send back trapped microplastics for safe sequestration (e.g., incorporated into construction materials), while the cartridge shell is composted or recycled.

• Durable Housing: Long-lasting casing made from recycled plastic or steel.

• Universal Fit: Works with washing machine drains, sinks, showers, and laundry outlets.

• Community & Industrial Scalability: Can be installed in hostels, apartment buildings, laundromats, and textile factories.

• Future Smart Add-On: IoT-enabled tracking to measure the amount of microplastics captured, enabling environmental credit reporting.

HydroNet is like a water purifier for plastic fibers — protecting homes, communities, and ecosystems.

4. Business Model

• Retail (B2C): HydroNet kits + biodegradable cartridge refills sold via e-commerce, appliance stores, and campus shops.

• Subscription Model: Cartridge replacements every 3–4 months with optional mail-back collection.

• Hostel & Apartment Partnerships: Bulk installation for shared laundry and drainage systems.

• Industrial Partnerships: Textile factories and laundromats adopt larger-scale HydroNet units to comply with environmental standards.

• CSR & Government Programs: Integration into clean-water and Swachh Bharat initiatives.

Price: ₹700–₹1,200 per household unit; ₹100–₹200 per cartridge.

5. Who Benefits?

• Families & Students: Eco-friendly laundry and cleaner household water.

• Hostels & Apartments: Collective reduction of microfiber pollution.

• Communities: Cleaner local rivers and safer food chains.

• Industries & Governments: Compliance with environmental regulations; contributes to water conservation goals.

• Planet: Scalable microplastic mitigation from homes to communities.

6. Market Impact

• India’s washing machine and home appliance market is projected at ₹35,000+ crore by 2030.

• Even 5% adoption in households and community facilities can prevent tons of plastic fibers annually.

• Industrial adoption opens a multi-crore B2B opportunity, with recurring revenue from cartridge subscriptions and service contracts.

• HydroNet positions itself as the default sustainability accessory for water outlets, much like RO filters became standard for safe drinking water.

7. Why This Matters

Microplastic pollution is a silent but urgent crisis. Every household, hostel, and factory contributes to it, often unknowingly. HydroNet empowers individuals and communities to take responsibility, making sustainability a tangible and actionable goal.

This matters to me because small, everyday actions — like doing laundry — should not harm the planet. HydroNet is more than a filter: it’s a circular, scalable solution that transforms homes, communities, and industries into active guardians of water, one wash and one drain at a time.

Hot summers and unpredictable heavy rains make staying outdoors uncomfortable and inconvenient. My idea involves creating a smart all weather umbrella, ClimaShade- a portable, user friendly umbrella that integrates cooling, misting and smart technology to keep the user safe and comfortable in any weather.

The umbrellas in the current market only protect against the rain and sun, they do not provide comfort to endure the harsh weather. In extreme heat, simply blocking sunlight is not enough, users feel sweaty and dehydrated. Similarly, during rains holding gadgets and navigating becomes difficult. No existing umbrella has features of active cooling, rain protection and smart weather assistance in one compact design.

The umbrella has a built-in cooling system activated by the buttons on the handle- a mini fan and a mist spray for hot sunny days- the fan and mist spray working together generate a pleasant cooling effect for hot days. It also has a rain ready design- drip proof edges, strong hydrophobic coating and an aerodynamic design for it to withstand strong wind. Additionally, the umbrella has LED lights to provide safety in the rainfall. The umbrella is powered by a rechargeable battery and it is equipped with solar panels

The umbrella benefits many groups: Students and commuters gain comfort during long walks in extreme weather and elders and children are protected from overheating or getting drenched. Personally, it helps me as I live in a place with scorching summers and extreme monsoons, which has often caused me discomfort which could not be solved with a regular umbrella.

Overview: Life doesn’t always give you time to prepare for stress. One moment you’re fine, and the next your heart starts racing, your breath feels shallow, and you don’t know what to do. BreathSync is designed for those exact moments. It’s a wearable system that gently helps you calm your mind and body when you need it most. By understanding your body’s signals - like your heartbeat, breathing patterns, or skin tension - BreathSync offers simple, personalized guidance to help you breathe through anxiety, stress, or sleeplessness.

Gaps in Current Solutions:

Most apps that promise to reduce stress require you to actively choose to engage with them - open an app, pick an exercise, and hope it works. But anxiety doesn’t always give you that choice. Many people feel overwhelmed or ashamed when they can’t manage their emotions “on their own.” BreathSync fills that gap by stepping in quietly when you need help, offering practical breathing techniques and calming suggestions tailored to your moment-to-moment needs. It doesn’t judge you for how you feel - it simply supports you.

Who Benefits:

• You, the user: If you’ve ever felt your chest tighten or your mind spiral when under pressure, BreathSync is like a friend reminding you to slow down and breathe. It’s for anyone dealing with anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, or everyday stress.

• Mental health professionals: Therapists and counselors can use the data to better understand patterns and recommend tailored interventions without invasive tracking.

• Workplaces and families: It’s a tool that encourages self-care without forcing people to explain themselves or feel judged.

Why This Matters to Me:

I’ve seen how anxiety and stress can sneak up on people - even in the middle of everyday life. It’s heartbreaking to watch someone struggle, unsure how to find calm in that moment. I believe emotional support shouldn’t be something you have to “earn” or “figure out” when you’re already at your limit. BreathSync is about creating a compassionate space where you’re not alone - where your body’s signals are listened to, and you’re gently guided back to balance.

Technical Details:

BreathSync works with wearables that measure things like heart rate and breath patterns. It learns from your body and behavior, offering breathing exercises and posture tips that adapt to what you’re going through. The system respects your privacy - all data stays with you unless you decide to share it. Over time, it understands what works best for you, making each suggestion feel natural, supportive, and encouraging.

Gold has always been a safe and valuable investment, but there is one common issue – purity. Many people buy gold jewellery or coins without knowing if it is original or mixed with cheaper metals. Sometimes, small shops or local sellers cheat customers by selling low-quality or impure gold at a higher price. This creates a lot of trust problems between sellers and buyers.

My idea is to develop a portable gold purity tester, which will be a small and affordable gadget that anyone can use. The device will work with simple sensors or XRF (X-ray fluorescence) technology to check the purity of gold in real time. A person only needs to place the gold item on the device, and it will display the purity percentage (like 18K, 22K, or 24K).My idea is to develop a portable gold purity tester, which will be a small and affordable gadget that anyone can use. The device will work with simple sensors or XRF (X-ray fluorescence) technology to check the purity of gold in real time. A person only needs to place the gold item on the device, and it will display the purity percentage (like 18K, 22K, or 24K).

The main beneficiaries of this idea will be normal customers, jewellery shop owners, and gold loan providers who want to confirm the purity of gold before making a deal. This will help people avoid fraud, financial losses, and also build more confidence in the jewellery market.

This problem matters to me because gold is not only jewellery, but also savings for many families. Having a simple and reliable device like this can protect people’s hard-earned money and create more transparency in the gold business......

                                                                                                                                                               Adithya Chalamcharla