Mapua University student wins award for developing solar panels using food waste

A student from Mapua University was named as the first ever global sustainability winner at the James Dyson Awards for developing solar panels using food waste.

Carvey Ehren Maigue, who is pursuing an engineering degree, created the AuReus system, which harnesses ultraviolet light to generate energy.

Solar panels traditionally rely on visible light and therefore needs clear conditions and direct sunlight, but the AuReus system works even when the sky is cloudy.

"Isa sa pinakamahalagang component ng aking imbensyon ay maaaring makuha maging sa mga nasalantang pananim," Maigue told Dezeen. "'Yung mga organic luminescent compounds, ito nagmumula 'to sa mga iba't ibang prutas at gulay."

He explained that these compounds help in converting high energy waves into visible light, which in turn get converted to electricity using solar panels and solar films.

Maigue said he got the idea for the AuReus system when his eyeglasses, which was designed to react to sunlight, darkened even when it was overcast and raining.

"Naisip ko na kahit maulap at maulan meron pa ring ultraviolet light na tumatagos at na napupunta sa atin," he said.

He said he decided to focus on solar energy to help the Philippines get access to clean renewable energy using natural resources.

Maigue joined the James Dyson Awards in 2018 but he did not win at that time. He took it as a chance to develop his invention further, and now the AuReus system has been recognized as a promising sustainability project.

"Maaaring gamitin natin siya instead nung typical na windows nang sa gayon 'yung buong building isa siyang matatawag natin na vertical solar energy farm," he said.

"Malapit na 'to sa atin, nasa damit na natin ito, nasa ating mga sasakyan, nasa iba't ibang building, nasa ating mismong bahay," he added. "'Yun 'yung nakikita ko na pagbabago niya in the future." —MGP, GMA News