Bringing a 'Cool Idea' to Life

It’s been said that “youth is wasted on the young”, but this adage is hardly true for 19-year-old Sparsh. Driven by a desire to create tangible solutions that can have a real impact on people's lives, the Computer Engineering undergraduate at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has not wasted a single moment in his quest. “I have the curiosity to create things, and seeing people using the things I’ve made is what drives me,” said Sparsh, who was a science student at an Indian senior high school before he pursued his studies at NUS.

For the past four years, Sparsh, who is also the founder of deep-tech start-up Incy Tech, has been working on his Thermal Floater invention. This innovative device converts solar energy into electricity while floating on water, showcasing his dedication to creating sustainable and affordable solutions to solve environmental issues. In 2022, his efforts earned him, at age 17, the title of National Runner-Up for India at the prestigious James Dyson Award. In 2023, the project was named second place winner for Singapore at the same awards.

Most recently, Incy Tech won the Grand Prize of the Impact Accelerator Challenge at CDE Innovation Day 2024 for the Thermal Floater project. Winning the Challenge provided opportunities for the team to connect with industry partners and use the grant money of S$100,000 to develop their prototype further. “We’re currently working on improving the conversion efficiency of the thermal floater, and we hope to pilot and deploy some of the devices by the end of this year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sparsh’s hometown in Bihar, in northeastern India, faces intense heat stress and heat waves, with scorching summer temperatures. “At the informal settlements in front of my house, the temperature could soar to 50 to 60^oC,” shared Sparsh. These settlements — built with bamboo, tarpaulin, and recycled billboard materials — trap significant heat, making living conditions extremely challenging. His first-hand experience with these harsh conditions fuelled his determination to create innovative solutions to address this problem.

He decided to share the heat stress situation in his hometown with Dr Ang Yu Qian (Design & Environment ’13, Msc ‘16), a Presidential Fellow and Assistant Professor at the NUS Department of Built Environment. The duo first met when Sparsh applied for a mechanical engineering design job posting. Although he didn’t get the job, Sparsh took the opportunity to share his ideas, including his Thermal Floater project.

Excited by what he heard, Dr Ang chose to support Sparsh in developing his own project rather than assigning him to existing work. “Sparsh’s ideas were impressive, especially for an undergraduate. Coming from a small town and making it to an international university speaks volumes about his determination and talent,” said Dr Ang. Their shared interest in addressing the extreme heat in informal settlements aligned perfectly with Dr Ang's expertise and interest in urban environments and thermal comfort, and they began to collaborate on this latest project together.  

PUTTING THE PLAN INTO PRACTICE

Sparsh and Dr Ang decided to explore using low-cost insulation materials like radiant barrier foils and Mylar emergency blankets to help keep the homes cooler and reduce heat stress. In May 2024, Sparsh went back to his hometown and coordinated with suppliers across India to purchase large quantities of the materials, a tough task for a youngster.

He also faced other challenges. "There are a lot of cultural nuances as well, because in an experimental setting, we needed some households to have the radiant barrier foil, and some to have the Mylar blankets. Others, meanwhile, did not get anything, allowing us to compare the differences,” he explained. “So, some people were very unhappy. They crowded around my father and me and started to harass us, but my father managed to convince the residents to cooperate.” Sparsh and his father also had to manually install the materials on the roofs, which was laborious. Despite these challenges, they managed to install the materials in 60 homes across three settlements.

After six months of testing, the radiant barrier foil was found to be much more effective, reducing peak temperatures inside the homes by up to 12^oC during the hottest parts of the day. “This provided significant relief from the extreme heat the residents were facing, especially for the children who could now play more comfortably inside the homes,” Sparsh recounted. “The materials also helped protect the homes from the rain, which was a major issue since many did not have proper roofs.” 

Sparsh and Dr Ang are now analysing the extensive temperature data they collected (over 11 million data points) to further understand the effectiveness of the interventions. They plan to publish the results of their project in an academic journal to share their insights and help inform future efforts to improve thermal comfort in informal settlements. In addition, they are also exploring the possibility of testing out other materials to enhance thermal performance. According to Sparsh, the goal is to develop a scalable, cost-effective solution that the residents can easily adopt and potentially take with them as their temporary settlements get relocated.

A SPACE FOR SHAPING INNOVATORS

With so much on his plate, Sparsh has struggled to balance his time between his projects and his studies. He acknowledges that "studies sometimes take a hit while working on these ideas" and that he has had to sacrifice sleep to pursue both. However, he has managed to maintain good results.

Sparsh chose to study at NUS for its hands-on, multidisciplinary approach, which stood out from the traditional, textbook-based programmes in India. As a Computer Engineering major and student at NUS College, he has found opportunities to go beyond his field, working on projects that blend engineering with architecture, materials science, and the built environment. “NUS has given me the freedom to explore and apply my skills in ways I never imagined,” he shared.

Dr Ang, a former NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) president, reflected on how far the University has come since his undergraduate days. He highlighted the evolving culture of the university, which has become increasingly supportive of diverse paths, including entrepreneurship. "The innovation-friendly environment at NUS has definitely changed and evolved, and students here are now on par with, or even surpassing, those at MIT and the University of Cambridge," noted Dr Ang, who did his postgraduate studies at both.

Working with Sparsh has also been a rewarding experience for Prof Ang. “It’s been a joy and a great learning journey for everyone involved,” he shared, emphasising the value of NUS’ hands-on, mentorship-driven approach in nurturing the next generation of innovators. He believes the university is well-positioned to continue fostering future entrepreneurs by building on its resources, collaborative culture and emphasis on innovation.

Sparsh’s advice to fellow students pursuing innovative projects is to embrace challenges with adaptability and determination. “You’ll face setbacks, criticism, or even a lack of support, but don’t let the negativity get to you. Always believe in yourself,” he shared. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience and a reminder that tackling real-world challenges often leads to the most meaningful innovations.

Text by Audrina Gan.