Invention Factory® is an intensive six-week summer programme in inventing that originated in the U.S. It was conducted for the first time in India at IIT Gandhinagar in 2018 and 2019 then introduced to IIT Bombay in 2022, and in 2023 we expanded to include IIT Jammu.
In 2023 the programme was conducted at 3 locations- IIT BOMBAY, IIT GANDHINAGAR, IIT JAMMU and was open to all students from IITs, NITs across India. As compared to the preceding 3 years, 2023 saw a total of 60 students working in teams of 2 over a period of 6 weeks.
In 2024, the program at IIT Gandhinagar runs from 27th May to 5th July 2024, IIT Bombay runs from 3rd June to 12th July 2024, and the program at IIT Jammu runs from 3rd June to 14th July 2024. You will report a couple of days early to the assigned institute and undergo a few orientation sessions
2023 IIT Jammu Winners
Arvind P from IIT Madras and Muhammed Aslam S from NIT Calicut bagged the First Prize. Their prototype addresses the issue of improper inhaler technique leading to a shortfall in the dosage of medication taken by asthma patients. They created a solution in the form of a passive asthma inhaler that synchronizes the airflow with the release of medication, thereby increasing the efficacy of the medicine.
Nivedita Jha from IIT Jammu and Aditya Vikram Singh from IIT Jammu came in Second with their Vibration Damping Gloves made to address the issue of hand-arm-related syndromes caused by vibrations from power tools and driving motorcycles. These pair of gloves are fitted with a tuned system of integrated mass and gel on the dorsal side of the hand.
Rishika Ranyal from IIT Jammu and Sanskar Purwar from IIT Jammu received the Third Prize for Steam Operated Milk Boil-Over Inhibitor and Stirrer, a device that utilizes the steam generated from boiling milk to power a stirrer. This innovative device effectively breaks the surface tension of the milk’s top layer, preventing spills and overflow.
2023 IIT Bombay Winners
Chirag Satpathy from NIT Trichy and Rahul Singh from IIT Gandhinagar secured the First Position with their prototype, an Automatic Gas Shut Off Knob that can be attached to the knob of a gas stove. This innovative device serves two primary functions: detecting gas leaks and providing remote control over the knob. The main objective behind their project is to mitigate the potential dangers caused by undetected gas leaks.
Bhavana Moningi from IIT Bombay and Akanksha Saini from IIT Jammu developed a unique apparatus made out of terracotta which landed them the Second position. This prototype has the remarkable ability to extend the shelf life of perishable food items through evaporative cooling, all without relying on electricity, while simultaneously purifying water. The primary objective of their creation is to address the issue of food spoilage during hot weather, especially when access to refrigeration is limited.
Roshni S and Anika Thayyil, both from IIT Madras, received the Third Prize for a support device specifically designed for induction stovetops. This induction stove adapter addresses the incompatibility of traditional Indian cookware with induction stoves, particularly those with curved bases. It utilizes induction technology to generate and conduct heat efficiently to cookware with curved bases.
2023 IIT Gandhinagar Winners
Ishika Raj from IIT Gandhinagar and Madhvi Dubey from IIT Kharagpur received the First Prize for developing a wearable breast pump with a cold container, a device that can be attached to a bra and also serves as a storage device for breast milk.
Trishul from IIT Madras and Priyam Bhavsar from IIT Guwahati secured Second Place for creating a storage bag that can be converted into a flat surface, providing a convenient and stable platform for consuming meals on the go.
Priya Sharma and Prabhnoor Singh, both from IIT Jammu bagged the Third Position. They addressed the issue of neck injuries caused by accidents while riding two-wheelers. They developed an add-on to the helmet with inflatable neck airbags, a solution in the form of a cushioning device designed to reduce the impact on the neck during accidents.
The prizes for Invention Factory® are supported by Sudarshan Saraf, Co-Chairman cum Managing Director, TECHNOCRAFT Industries India Ltd. The Programme is end-to-end supported by Maker Bhavan Foundation.
Why Invention Factory?
Students work very hard to enter engineering colleges like IITs and NITs. They learn from top- notch Faculty and acquire domain knowledge. What they do not know is how to be creative. How to invent novel systems. This is much to the detriment of the long-term goal of engineering education. Fostering creative engineering is an essential skill that can be taught but is not currently taught in universities. This is the gap which Invention Factory aims to address. Throughout the 6 weeks program, the young graduates learn to develop an inventive attitude and acquire skills that they can leverage for the rest of their lives be it as creative inventors, effective problem solvers and future business leaders for the nation.
What Students Learn
Invention Factory India: Participation Data
2018
IIT GN
20 students
10 teams
5 IITs
10 Provisional Patents filed in USA & India
2019
IIT GN
28 students
10 teams
9 IITs
14 Provisional Patents filed in USA & India
2022
IIT GN & IITB
39 students
20 teams
15 IITs
20 Provisional Patents filed in USA & India
2023
IITJ, IIT GN & IITB
60 students
30 teams
12 IITs & 6NITs
30 Provisional Patents filed in USA & India
Faculty Mentors
Alan Wolf
The Cooper Union College
Eric Lima
Mech. Engg. The Cooper Union College
Tarun Agarwal
Electrical Engg. IIT Gandhinagar
Madhu Vadali
Mech. Engg. IIT Gandhinagar
Ankit Dubey
Electrical Engg. IIT Jammu
Prof. Amber Shrivastava
Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Sugandh Malhotra, Ph.D.
IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay
Navneet Kumar
Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Jammu
Leena Vachhani
Systems and Control Engineering Group, IIT Bombay