After a four-month battle for the highest honor in The 3M Inspire Challenge, two students from The National University of Malaysia were crowned Regional Champions on Tuesday, Sept. 21, triumphing over five other country champions from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The duo, which consists of Mohd Fahad Saleem and Nur Liyana Syasya Mohd Zamuri, defeated a total of 121 undergraduate teams across the region following months of conceptualization and refinement under the mentorship from 3M volunteers.
Saleem and Zamuri, otherwise known as “Too Good Duo,” bagged the top spot with their solution in modifying Nexcare Waterproof Bandages with green nanocomposite to enhance and monitor wound healing.
Nexcare bandages are one of 3M’s products under its health care line. Similar to most waterproof bandages, Nexcare is made out of a waterproof membrane that has microscopic air holes that work as air channels for the user’s wound.
“Adhesive bandages are common items that can be found in many households as there has been an increased awareness in wound management over the decades,” said Saleem.
“We came up with the idea of smart bandages to equip users with a product that can better monitor different stages of the wound healing process and provide an optimum condition for the skin and tissues to heal, so that they can continue on with their day-to-day lives without worrying about their wounds.”
Their ingenious solution under the innovation theme earned Saleem and Zamuri a total of USD$3,000 (~P150,000) in cash prizes and internships at local 3M offices. They outpaced Vietnam’s Team Charmmm, who was hailed first runner-up for their 3M 360-degree virtual store proposal, as well as second runner-up Team Kancil of Indonesia, who presented a concept for sustainable surgical masks.
The 3M Inspire Challenge is a regional case challenge organized by global science company 3M seeking solutions to help elevate its business through the themes of technology, sustainability, and innovation.
The regional finals saw a total of six teams from each participating country pitching their solutions to a panel of judges from diverse areas of expertise which includes business management, manufacturing and supply chain, research and development, sustainability, as well as branding, and communications.
“It was deeply inspiring and rewarding seeing the teams’ growth throughout the entire four-month challenge. Innovation is a continuous process of refining ideas again and again, but never once did their passion or enthusiasm wane,” Kevin McGuigan, Vice President and Managing Director of 3M Southeast Asia, said during the event.
He continued, “While The 3M Inspire Challenge has come to an end, I hope it has sparked curiosity and the spirit of innovation in not only the participants but the audiences tuning in.”
Read next: This 24-year-old Pinay astronomer wants to inspire Filipino kids to pursue science
The post Team of 2 students wins 3M Inspire Challenge with smart bandages concept appeared first on Speed Magazine.
Source: Speed Magazine PH
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