Mexican Student wins Gold Medal for Fire Extinguisher Invention
A 16-year-old Mexican student, Ángela Karime Venegas Hernández, has won a gold medal at an international science competition in Indonesia for developing an experimental fire extinguisher that uses sound waves to put out flames without water or chemical agents.
Venegas developed the device, called Vortex Tech, while studying electronics at the Centre for Industrial and Service Technological Studies (CETis 78) in Altamira, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Her invention won gold at the 2026 International Science and Invention Fair (ISIF), held in Indonesia from October 14 to 16. She also received the IYSA Semi Grand Award, earning an opportunity to participate in another international applied science competition.
According to Mexican media reports, the idea came after Venegas watched a video demonstrating how sound waves could extinguish flames. With guidance from her uncle and project adviser, José Arturo Hernández Muñoz, she developed and refined her own prototype through several rounds of testing.
Unlike conventional fire extinguishers that use water, foam or chemical powders, Vortex Tech uses low-frequency sound waves to disrupt the conditions that sustain combustion.
The device combines a 12-volt battery, a frequency generator, an amplifier and a speaker to produce sound waves at approximately 30 hertz. When directed at a flame, these waves disturb the surrounding air and create swirling movements known as vortex rings, which can interfere with the combustion process and help extinguish the fire.
Venegas has reportedly tested the prototype on small fires involving different materials. However, the invention remains experimental, and further testing is needed to establish its effectiveness and safety. It is not a certified replacement for conventional fire extinguishers, particularly when dealing with large or rapidly spreading fires.
The technology has drawn attention for its potential to tackle small fires without leaving water damage or chemical residue, although its practical applications will depend on further development and testing.
Venegas’ achievement highlights how young innovators are exploring scientific principles to address everyday challenges. Her award-winning project could inspire more students to pursue science, technology and engineering as tools for solving real-world problems.
By Oluwafemi Shodipe.
