Canton Student is a Semifinalist for CT Science Fair

Gabriel Hunter Mesa, a Canton resident and 9th grader at the University High School of Science and Engineering in Hartford, has been selected for the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair Broadcam MASTER finalists.

In the abstract that accompanied the presentation, Mesa explained the purpose of the experiment:

The purpose of this experiment was to create an environmentally neutral battery for generating electrical energy through mechanical instead of chemical means taking advantage of a new and promising material, graphene. The result was a piezo-electric battery enhanced with graphene for use in personal situations such as lighting a home in a rural area during monsoon season where alternative green energy such as solar is not feasible.

...

In conclusion, the possibility of having small scale devices self-contained devices that turn mechanical energy into electrical energy is very real with the application of new materials such as graphene to the problem.

Read the full abstract on the section page of this PDF.

Semifinalists were selected from over 2,054 applicants. Nominees qualified to enter the Broadcom MASTERS by placing in the top 10 percent of the participants at their Society for Science & The Public affiliated science fairs.The three other finalists are:

• Catherine Marie Herrick, Sandy Hook, now in 8th grade at St. Rose of Lima School, Newtown The Investigation of the Presence of Plastic Microscopic Fibers in Effluent Sewage Water and the Long Island Sound
• Prastik Mohanraj, Ansonia, now in 8th grade at Engineering and Science University Inter-district Magnet School, Hamden Using Wettability to Develop Reusable Freezer Bags
• Jonathan Wu, Wilton, now in 8th grade, Middlebrook School, Wilton Harness the Power of Wind and Solar

The winner will be chosen on Sept. 17. Finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., October 24 through October 28 to show their projects and compete in a four-day STEM competition. The top education award is $25,000 presented by the Samueli Foundation.

For more information about the CT Science Fair, click here.

Photo: SocietyForScience.org