Jeremiah Thoronka
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Jeremiah Thoronka is a student from Sierra Leone, he invented a device that uses kinetic energy from traffic and pedestrians to generate clean power.[1][2][3][4] In 2021 he was awarded the Chegg.org Global Student Prize and the Global Teacher Prize, which are given to exceptional students who made an inspirational impact on other students in science.[5][6][7][8][9]
Education
[edit]Thoronka joined the African Leadership University in Rwanda as part of its founding class. He studied Global Challenges, a program that was modelled after the SDG.[2][7][10]
Career
[edit]Thoronka focused on Climate Action, Energy, and Innovations. He researched sociocultural and technical energy efficiency issues. He founded Optim Energy, a start-up that explored piezoelectricity to generate clean and affordable energy for those most vulnerable in society.[11][12][13] Thoronka was selected to join the Climate Overshoot Commission Youth Engagement Group, an organisation of eminent leaders working on strategies on how to reduce risks if the world exceeds its Paris climate commitments by 2030.[14][15][16][17]
Scientific contributions
[edit]Thoronka's contribution was a kinetic energy system, which he developed at the age of 17 when studying at the African Leadership University in Rwanda. He launched a start-up that transforms vibrations from vehicles and pedestrians onto roads which creates a usable electric current. It generates power without relying on weather of other outside factors or natural resources. At the same time, no battery and no electricity connection to an external power source is needed. He has expanded the technology to the healthcare sector, which will use the power generated by his technology to power to medicines and vaccines, as well as create sufficient light for treating patients after dark.[18]
At a pilot program in Thoronka’s hometown of Makawo, his technology. was successfully deployed to power 150 homes and 15 schools, totaling services to more than 10,000 people, 9,000 of whom were students.[19]
International recognition
[edit]Thoronka was recognized for his work creating Sierra Leone’s sustainable energy nationwide. He was listed among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2021, the World Wildlife Fund’s top 100 Young African Conservation Leaders, and was laureate of the inaugural Global Student Prize, Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work – Africa.[10]
Awards
[edit]- In 2021, he won the Global Student Prize at UNESCO.[9][20]
- In 2021, he won the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development.[21]
- In 2023, he won the "Youngest Green Awards" at the 2023 Green Tech Festival in Germany.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "Illuminating Sierra Leone: Quest for Sustainable Energy". Times Higher Education (THE). 2024-07-02. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ a b "Meet Jeremiah Thoronka, the 21- year old Using Kinetic Energy to provide electricity in Sierra Leone". Business Elites Africa. 2022-04-24. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ University, Durham. "Alumnus Jeremiah Thoronka makes Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list - Durham University". www.durham.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Britz, Melissa (2021-12-09). "Sierra Leone: Entrepreneur Creates Clean, Affordable Energy for Sierra Leone's Rural Areas #AfricaClimateCrisis". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ Infusion, Brand (2023-05-19). "Regulatory Sandboxes in Africa". Empower Africa. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Jeremiah Thoronka | Youth STEM Changemakers Programme Officer". Youth STEM 2030. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ a b "JEREMIAH THORONKA". We Are Family Foundation. 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Vanguard, The Patriotic (2022-01-27). "Thoronka urges fellow Sierra Leoneans to apply for Chegg prize". The Patriotic Vanguard. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ a b "Anant National University | First DesignX University in India". anu.edu.in. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ a b "This Young Inventor Is Turning Vibrations From Busy Roads Into Clean Energy". POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of people of color in tech. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ "US$100,000: 'Surround yourself with people who uplift you'". University World News. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ Zenda, Cyril. ""The future is green": youth brings clean power to thousands in Sierra Leone". FairPlanet. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ "Entrepreneur's Clean Energy for Sierra Leone #AfricaClimateCrisis". allAfrica.com. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ Media, Sierra Express. "Green Energy Pioneer from Sierra Leone Jeremiah Thoronka wins CHEGG global student prize – Sierra Express Media". Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ "Jeremiah Thoronka Lights Up Sierra Leone With Kinetic Energy". 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ "Jeremiah Thoronka". Meaningful Business Community. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ Ogwo, Charles (2022-05-25). "Jeremiah Thoronka meets Pope at youth movement launch". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ "Jeremiah Thoronka 2021". Global Teacher Prize. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ Corbley, Andy (2021-11-29). "Youth Hailed for Providing Renewable Energy to 10,000 People Without Using Battery, Wind, Sun, or Water". Good News Network. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ "Global Student Prize 2021: Jeremiah Thoronka from Sierra Leone win global student prize of $100,000". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Anant National University | First DesignX University in India". anu.edu.in. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Kargbo, Lamin (2023-06-15). "Sierra Leone: Jeremiah Thoronka wins 2023 GTF "Youngster Green Award"". SwitSalone. Retrieved 2024-07-26.