Mexican student develops acoustic fire extinguisher

Ángela Karime Venegas Hernández, a student from CETis 78 in Altamira, Tamaulipas, has developed a prototype acoustic fire extinguisher named ‘Vortex Tech’. The device uses low-frequency sound waves to extinguish small flames by creating air turbulence and vortex rings that displace the oxygen fueling the combustion.

The portable device operates using a 12-volt battery, a frequency generator, an amplifier, and a speaker. It produces a frequency of 30 hertz, or 30 pulses per second. Unlike traditional methods, the extinguisher requires no water and is designed to be environmentally friendly.

Inspired by research from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the project has gained recognition after winning state and national competitions. Venegas Hernández recently presented her invention at the International Science and Invention Fair in Indonesia, where she received recognition from the Mexican Ambassador.