Bahçeşehir University Advances to the Semifinals in Global Innovation Competition

At the Ericsson Innovation Awards, a global innovation competition in which university students from around the world present their solutions to current and potential climate-related risks, the project of the Methaneligent team formed by Bahçeşehir University (BAU), which proposes generating electricity from methane gas inspired by photosynthesis, left more than 2,000 competitors behind and advanced to the semifinals.

Presenting the project with mentorship from the BAU Faculty of Engineering and the Technology Transfer Office (TTO), the Methaneligent team proposes a solution inspired by nature's own photosynthesis mechanism that allows air to be filtered into its natural elements and uses methane gas to generate electricity. Methaneligent is working to optimize its solution with unique and dynamic algorithms in order to develop a sustainable machine that uses abundant and untapped resources.

2020 Theme: Reclaim the Future

First launched in 2009 as a global innovation competition, the Ericsson Innovation Awards were made exclusive to students in 2015, and their scope was broadened to focus more on innovation. The participating countries and student representatives presented the projects they developed under the theme "Take action, Face the facts, Innovate, Reclaim the future". In the competition, which involved universities from around the world, BAU advanced to the semifinals with its remarkable project.

Stating that Ericsson is determined to make a real impact all over the world, Ericsson Türkiye General Manager Işıl Yalçın said:

"As Ericsson, we support the scientific work of our young people to reduce the effects of the global climate crisis. It is encouraging that young people are combining their interest in technology with knowledge and looking for solutions to ecological problems. Opened to students in 2015, the Ericsson Innovation Awards once again host valuable projects that will shape the future this year, as every year. Hosting the projects of these young talents who do not remain indifferent to the world they live in is a source of pride for us. I wholeheartedly congratulate Bahçeşehir University and its team for advancing to the semifinals from our country."

The Project Ranked First in the Middle East and Africa Region

Fatma Nur Yokuş, a Bahçeşehir University Computer Engineering student who advanced to the semifinals from Türkiye, said: "I wanted to see this competition as an opportunity to find a solution to a global problem. With my original smart machine idea, we were selected among the top 14 groups that advanced to the semifinals out of more than 2,000 groups competing worldwide. We also ranked first in the Middle East and Africa region with my idea. This competition process, which means a great deal to me, gave me invaluable experience. For example, with mentorship support, I learned step by step how to turn ideas that had remained on paper for years into something applicable in real life. Looking back now, I feel more courageous, and keeping the lessons I learned in mind, I am looking forward to the next competition I will enter and the ideas I want to bring to life. I am glad I found the courage to share my idea with Ericsson and that they gave me this valuable opportunity. I am already curious about next year's competition topic, but more importantly, I feel more prepared because of the experience I gained this year. Let's see which of the world's problems Ericsson will bring us next year and with which solutions we will try to contribute."