East Central High School InvenTeam

The East Central High School InvenTeam invented a solar-powered dry heat sterilizer for mobile or isolated medical teams to sterilize surgical equipment without relying on local power, water sources or dangerous chemicals. The device uses sunglight to warm an inside heating element up to 205° C. Air circulates through the heating element and a sterilization chamber, disinfecting surgical instruments within 15 minutes. The dry heat sterilizer is stored in two portable cases and can be set up and ready for use within one hour. The device costs less than $1,000 to build.