Tunisia’s Riadh Abdelhedi is Top Arab Innovator in Stars of Science Season 13
Riadh Abdelhedi emerged as the top Arab innovator on Stars of Science Season 13, winning the votes of the jury and public with his innovation, the Hybrid Power Bank while overcoming a variety of challenges caused by COVID-19. Stars of Science is an initiative of Qatar Foundation.
The Tunisian innovator was overjoyed when the show’s long-time host, Khaled Al-Jumaily, announced that his invention, the Hybrid Power Bank, claimed 39.4% of the total votes, securing the top prize of US$300,000.
Abdelhedi said he hopes to set a good example of how creative and innovative young Arab youth can be when equipped with adequate resources.
I want to thank the jury and the audience for giving me their votes and believing in my idea and invention, Hybrid Power Bank, which I hope I will be able to continue to develop and release in regional and global markets.
His winning invention, now branded as HyPow, can charge itself fully in a few minutes as a result of its unique power storage system, which combines lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitor technology. HyPow provides the world with an innovative, efficient way to charge a device while leading a busy life. Riadh’s invention encourages us to adapt to our fast-paced life especially during challenging times like the pandemic.
According to Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) Executive Director Yosouf Al-Salehi, last year saw a shift in global priorities and this was true even for the technology sector, which continues to play a vital role in combating COVID-19.
As a result, in this very special season of Stars of Science, we have observed two broad categories of innovation – projects which are actively fighting COVID-19 and its associated complications, and projects that demonstrate resilience and adaptability and urge continuity.
He added that Abdelhedi’s invention exemplifies the persistence of innovators in developing technology solutions that can solve real-world challenges, exactly what is needed in the journey towards a post-pandemic future.
Other top innovators
Mugeb AlHarosh from Yemen came in second place with his Portable Renal Blood Flowmeter, which uses non-invasive biosensors attached to the skin to analyse critical data that can provide a preliminary diagnosis and help identify possible kidney damage. He earned a combined score of 32.5% of the total votes and received US$150,000.
Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Qassabi secured the third-place prize of US$100,000 with a total vote percentage of 20.4% for his invention – the Football Offside Detection System – which utilises band tags embedded inside players’ uniforms and the ball to correctly identify offside violations during matches.
In fourth place came the Lebanese contestant Ousama Kanawati, securing 7.7% of total votes for his invention, the Wearable Omni Stethoscope Vest, which is designed to help patients monitor their lungs via multiple digital stethoscopes and wireless technology. Kanawati was awarded US$50,000.
Candidates and winners of Season 13 will join the illustrious Stars of Science alumni community, all of whom are drivers of change in communities across the Arab world and beyond.
Aspiring Arab innovators are encouraged to apply for the next season of Stars of Science. Online applications will close on 1 December 2021. For more information, visit starsofscience.com.
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