Mexican student wins gold in Indonesia for acoustic fire extinguisher

Ángela Karime Hernández Venegas, a 16-year-old student from CETis 78 in Altamira, Tamaulipas, has won a gold medal at the 2026 International Science and Invention Fair (ISIF) in Indonesia. Her project, titled ‘Vortex Tech’, is an experimental acoustic fire extinguisher that uses low-frequency sound waves—approximately 30 hertz—to extinguish small flames by disrupting the combustion process without the use of water, foam, or chemical agents.

Competing against approximately 110 projects from 25 countries, Hernández Venegas also received the IYSA Semi Grand Award, which grants her the opportunity to present her work at future international scientific forums. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recognized the achievement, noting that the Secretary of Science and Technology has already contacted the student to learn more about the invention.

The device consists of a 12-volt battery, a frequency generator, an amplifier, and a speaker. While still in the experimental stage and not yet ready for commercialization, the project demonstrates significant potential for clean, residue-free fire suppression in specific environments.