SWFL students win invention awards

Eight students from the Fort Myers area were honored for their ingenuity at the seventh annual Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals. They were among over 70 award-winning K-12 inventors from across the nation who were celebrated on June 9 at the awards ceremony hosted by The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation correspondent Albert Lawrence, with astrobiologist and aquanaut Alyssa Carson as keynote.

Amaya E., 11th Grade, Bonita Springs

CantorColburn - Detroit Patent Application Award, Originality Award and Technology of Tomorrow Award, presented by Raytheon Technologies for Biopurication

“This system utilizes a consortium of Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina major algae to create an open system photobioreactor. The consortium of algae has already been determined to be reliable in improving air quality and decreasing common pollutant concentrations. The system uses photosynthesis, naturally performed by the algae, to generate electricity to power both and air pump for the system, as well as an external illuminator. This invention was created with the final idea of it being used as a modular system to wrap around streetlights to power the streetlight while simultaneously improving air quality and decreasing pollution concentrations along roadways.”

Wally V., 2nd Grade, Fort Myers

First Place in the Second Grade Category for Squeaky Clean Machines

“Squeaky Clean Machines is a train toy for kids that they can use safely in the bath. I created silicone molds based on my wooden train tracks in order to create different colored linking tracks made from soap with train engines and coal cars made from sponges. Children, like my little brother, can now enjoy playing with this toy in their baths while also getting clean.”

Alessandra C., Second Grade, Fort Myers

Second Place in the Second Grade Category for The Cane Catcher

“Cane toads (Bufo Toads) are a destructive invasive species in Florida. They are bad for the environment. They eat small mammals, birds, frogs, other toads, pet food, human garbage…and almost anything else! They are also toxic to humans and deadly to dogs. I used a bug light, fly fishing lures and a cage to trap them. We euthanized all toads without pain using the guidelines from the University of Florida and the Florida Wildlife Commission. Eventually, I trapped all of the Cane Toads in our yard and nearby pond.”

Kurukulasuriya N., 9th Grade, Fort Myers

Second Place in the Ninth Grade Category for KESS: Kinetic Energy Storage System

“My invention is made of metal components, including rods, a rotating mass, a motor, a rubber belt, nails and bolts, bearings and couplings. The device can be charged when power is available and then used when the power supply is lost. The energy will be stored in the form of kinetic energy in the rotating mass. The device does not need an additional energy source to function when releasing its stored energy, so there is no operating cost once installed. This device will have a positive impact, especially due to the vast number of people worldwide who experience power interruptions.”

Dhruva S., 10th Grade, Fort Myers

First Place in the Tenth Grade Category and the Transportation Industry Award for FLOW: A Deep Reinforcement Learning ML Algorithm To Make Traffic Management More Effectual

“The goal of this invention is to improve the efficiency of traffic flow by leveraging the strengths of Artificial Intelligence (AI), determine the best Machine Learning algorithm for improving traffic efficiency, and the benefit of implementing such processes.”

Yusef M., 11th Grade, Fort Myers

Second Place in the Eleventh Grade Category, Cantor Colburn - Detroit Patent Application Award and the Environmental and Social Impact Award for Synovial Saver

“Knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease, affecting 32.5 million US adults. Early detection of OA is crucial as the disease acts rapidly and there is no cure after the window of opportunity has passed. Synovial Saver offers a uKNEEque, low-cost and non-invasive method of detecting knee joint OA. In fact, within 30 seconds Synovial Saver can accurately diagnose OA. After countless iterations, the final device structure is incorporated by two systems: an input system and a computational system. The input system gathers vibration frequencies emitted from the bending of the knee using dual piezoelectric accelerometers and a piezoelectric disk. The efficiency of the vibration sensing devices were tested, with the data collected being 98% accurate. The computational system includes an Arduino Uno Rev3 Microcontroller, which computes the data through various scripts, datasets, etc.”

Aum D., 12th Grade, Fort Myers

Second Place in the Twelfth Grade Category for Medibound

“The investigator’s development of low-cost machine learning algorithms, paired with a novel device and application, have the potential to mitigate diabetic retinopathy. To elaborate, the investigator’s k-nearest neighbors were more accurate in lower training sample sizes and his convolutional neural networks were more accurate in higher training sample sizes, indicating that an efficient approach for the device would be incorporating a KNN algorithm to recognize the retina when in-view and a CNN algorithm to discern between that sample’s particular stage of DR. Once a patient is diagnosed, the testing results are exported via an NFC transmitter placed under the device’s charging port. This technology allows users to hover their phones over the labeled NFC area and receive trial results over the app.”

Dhira S., 6th Grade, Fort Myers

Animal Care and Pets Industry Award for PetBFound

“PetBFound is an on-demand all-in-one pet tracking smart device with audio, video, GPS and LED light features that can attach to an existing dog harness. The PetBFound mobile app is the interface for the device and allows the user to remotely turn on features to track a pet. The default is off-mode for the device and can be activated remotely to track a lost pet. The device can be charged using solar power with backup battery provision.”

Chastity Culver, Marketing Director at TLC Marketing & Creative Services, was honored individually.

TLC wins multiple awards at Estero chamber awards

TLC Marketing & Creative Services, a leading marketing agency in Bonita Springs, participated in the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner and Leadership Graduation on June 2 at Shadow Wood Country Club. The event, attended by over 150 distinguished guests and local business leaders, celebrated the achievements of the Estero community and honored outstanding individuals and businesses.

The evening highlighted TLC Marketing and Creative Services’ success, as the company was recognized with two prestigious awards. TLC Marketing & Creative Services was honored to receive the Small Business Excellence of the Year award.

In addition to the company’s achievement, Chastity Culver, the Marketing Director at TLC Marketing & Creative Services, was celebrated as the recipient of the Young Professional of the Year award. Culver’s remarkable talent, expertise and significant contributions to the community were acknowledged and celebrated.

TLC Marketing & Creative Services also announced the graduation of Trish Leonard, the company’s owner, from the Charter Class of Leadership Estero. Leonard’s participation in this esteemed leadership program exemplifies her personal and professional growth commitment. It highlights TLC Marketing & Creative Services’ dedication to positively impacting the Estero community.

“We are extremely proud and honored to be recognized as the Small Business Excellence of the Year by the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce,” Leonard said. “I am so proud of Chastity’s success and ongoing growth; her award was very well-deserving. “ In January 2024, the company will celebrate its 15 years in business.