Yahoo Finance B.C. teen makes Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for incredible inventions
Each year, Forbes recognizes some of the best up-and-coming young talent around the world on their annual 30 Under 30 list. Previously featured under-30s include Drake, Lady Gaga, Mark Zuckerberg and Maria Sharapova.
Now, University of British Columbia student Ann Makosinski will be joining their ranks.
I finally made the @ForbesUnder30 List this morning! Best New Years news to wake up to. So thankful for my supportive family and friends. xx
— Andini Makosinski (@annmakosinski) January 3, 2017
The 19-year-old B.C. native has made the list in the Energy category for two of her most ingenious inventions: a flashlight that is operated by the heat of the human body, and a phone charger that converts the heat in a hot beverage to power for your phone.
“It’s been a little goal of mine for a while, so it was great to finally get there,” Makosinski told CTV News, referring to making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
This isn’t Makosinski’s first taste of the limelight, either. Previously she’s been featured on Time’s 30 Under 30 list, won the 2013 Google Science Fair for her age category, conducted five TEDx talks and has appeared on Jimmy Fallon to show off her inventions — twice.
“It was super awesome that the whole crew and Jimmy all remembered me the second time I went,” Makosinski told UBC Stories in an interview. “We took a selfie after the show, and of course my entire experience in New York was amazing!”
It was The Hollow Flashlight that won Makosinski the Google Science Fair and catapulted her into invention fame. Inspired by a friend who was unable to study for school late at night because she had no light, Makosinski created a flashlight that uses Peltier tiles, which creates electricity when one side is heated and the other remains at least 5 degrees cooler. She’s currently in the process of getting a licensing deal for The Hollow Flashlight.
Her latest invention, the e-Drink, won her the $50,000 Quest Climate Change Grant in December 2015. Thermoelectric generators convert heat from the mug into power, making it possible to charge a phone or other USB-powered device just about anywhere.
When she landed on the Time list in 2013, Makosinski made a whirlwind of media appearances showcasing her inventions, and chances are this time will be no different.
Once that’s done though, it’ll be back to the classroom at UBC for Makosinski.
After all, she’s still just a second-year university student.
