At just 12 years old, she invented a solar-powered blanket to provide warmth for homeless individuals and potentially save lives.
Twelve-year-old Rebecca Young of Glasgow, Scotland, designed a solar-powered heated blanket to help protect people experiencing homelessness from harsh winter conditions. Moved by the sight of individuals sleeping outdoors in freezing temperatures, the Kelvinside Academy student came up with the idea for a “Portable Heated Blanket.” Her concept beat more than 70,000 entries to win the UK Primary Engineer competition, prompting engineering company Thales UK to help transform her idea into working prototypes.
The blanket is made from waterproof, flame-retardant thermal material and folds into a lightweight backpack for easy transport. Flexible solar panels collect energy during the day, storing it in a compact battery that can provide up to eight hours of heat after dark. A temperature-sensitive control system automatically regulates the heating elements to conserve power. Following the prototype’s success, production expanded so the blankets could be distributed through homeless charities and shelters across Glasgow.
I support.
Stay strong Aaron! Like you, my mom was misdiagnosed with a “it’s a sweat gland issue, you’ll be fine” to actually having stage 3B lung cancer. Stay strong and we support you. #aaronsbattle