Mexican High School Student Wins Gold Medal for Acoustic Fire Extinguisher

A high school student from Tamaulipas, Mexico, has earned international recognition by developing a sound-powered fire suppression prototype. Ángela Karime Venegas Hernández, who studies at CETis 78 in Altamira, was awarded a gold medal at the International Science and Invention Fair (ISIF 2026) in Indonesia for her project known as Vortex Tech.

The experimental device utilizes low-frequency acoustic waves to disrupt a flame's combustion environment without relying on traditional extinguishing agents such as water, foam, or chemical powders. Powered by a 12-volt battery, the prototype uses a frequency generator, an amplifier, and a speaker to produce sound waves at approximately 30 hertz. This creates air turbulence around a flame that displaces its oxygen supply, effectively extinguishing small flames within five to eight seconds in controlled conditions.

While the mechanism does not discharge liquid or chemical powders, it still requires electrical components and a power source, meaning the term chemical-free applies strictly to its suppression method rather than the entire device. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly congratulated Venegas following her victory, drawing widespread national attention to the applied science project.

In addition to the gold medal, Vortex Tech received the IYSA Semi Grand Award at the competition, granting Venegas eligibility to participate in the Indonesia International Applied Science Project Olympiad (I2ASPO). Prior to her success abroad, the project was recognized in a Tamaulipas state creativity and technological innovation competition under the mentorship of José Arturo Hernández Muñoz.

Experts emphasize that Vortex Tech remains an experimental student prototype and has not been commercially certified as a professional fire extinguisher. Its effectiveness in real-world scenarios depends heavily on variables such as flame size, fuel type, distance, acoustic intensity, and surrounding airflow. Further independent testing, safety analysis, and compliance reviews against applicable fire-equipment regulations would be necessary before any practical deployment.

Nevertheless, the achievement places Mexican student research on a competitive global platform. The project demonstrates original engineering concepts in acoustic suppression, providing a foundational starting point for future developments in fire safety technology.