Jamshedpur: Akshat Sarkar, a Class 9 student from Jamshedpur, has been awarded a $9,500 grant from Emergent Ventures, associated with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, USA, to develop low-cost gas leak detection and prevention tape.Akshat studies at Gulmohur High School, Telco. The grant, confirmed by Shruti Rajagopalan, senior research fellow at George Mason University, follows a competitive evaluation process.The TS GLDC safety tape aims to address household safety concerns through an affordable solution. The tape is expected to cost Rs 50 and could benefit LPG users across the country.Akshat said, “I aim to develop an affordable and reliable safety solution that can help protect millions of households from LPG gas leaks. I want to establish a dedicated laboratory for scientific testing and validation of the innovation, and collaborate with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and leading LPG companies.”The initiative is expected to undergo further research and testing before it is suitable for household use.Akshat also intends to involve other students through the school’s Startup Studio. “The innovation reflects the importance of applying classroom learning to real-world problems and encouraging young people to develop practical solutions,” said Priti Sinha, school principal.
