In the relentless heat of the Indian summer, where classrooms become stifling and even outdoor surfaces radiate discomfort, a group of bright young minds came together to tackle a problem that affected students across Mumbai and beyond. An innovative team of students from the PiKademy -After School Cohort, took on the challenge of developing an eco-friendly cooling solution with the guidance of mentors from MuSo and Standard Chartered. Their mission was simple yet ambitious: to create a sustainable, cost-effective cooling system that could ease the discomfort of overheated classrooms and vehicles parked outside in the summers.
The Problem at Hand
During the sweltering summer months, schoolrooms transform into heat traps, making concentration nearly impossible. Not just classrooms but bicycles and scooters left in the sun also become unbearably hot, making even the simplest commute an ordeal. These challenges are not unique to the students from the PiKademy -After School Cohort—millions across India face the same struggle. Recognising the widespread nature of this problem, the team embarked on a journey to develop a practical and sustainable solution that could be easily implemented in schools and homes alike.
The Ideation Process
The team members—Yasir Shaikh, Uzair Shaikh, Sufiyan Shaikh, Aariz Shaikh, Ibrahim Ansari, Ahmed Patel, Sufiya Desai, and Sidra Khan—began by discussing potential materials and mechanisms that could offer relief from the heat. Their first idea focused on cooling bicycle and scooter seats using a bamboo cover. Since bamboo is known to have heat-resistant properties, they initially envisioned a bamboo pellet seat cover that could reduce surface temperatures. However, they soon encountered a major roadblock: bamboo was difficult to source in large quantities, making the product expensive and impractical for everyday use.
Rather than be discouraged, the team pivoted their focus to another pressing issue: classroom cooling. They recognised that traditional cooling systems, such as air conditioners or electric coolers, were expensive and consumed large amounts of energy—an unsustainable option for many schools. Instead, they sought inspiration from time-tested earthenware cooling techniques, which had been used for centuries to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
Designing the Eco Cool System
The students' initial prototype involved a large clay pot filled with water, perforated with multiple holes to allow air to pass through and cool as it travelled. This design was based on the evaporative cooling principle, where water evaporates from the porous clay surface, lowering the surrounding air temperature. However, while the concept worked in theory, the cooling effect was not sufficient for an entire classroom.
Determined to refine their idea, the team experimented with multiple smaller earthen pots arranged on a grid-like structure. A water pipe was run through the frame to ensure continuous moisture, while a fan placed behind the grid helped push air through the water-filled pots, effectively cooling the room. Through multiple iterations and adjustments, they successfully enhanced the efficiency of the system, creating a functional and scalable classroom cooler that was both sustainable and affordable.
Sustainability and Practical Impact
One of the key strengths of the Eco Cool system was its affordability and accessibility. Unlike expensive electrical cooling systems, the students' clay pot cooler provided a low-cost alternative that could be easily replicated in schools, homes, and community spaces. The use of clay pots made the solution not only environmentally friendly—as they are naturally biodegradable and widely available—but also energy-efficient, relying on evaporative cooling with minimal electricity consumption, requiring only a simple fan for air circulation. Additionally, the system offered ease of maintenance, as the clay pots could be effortlessly replaced when needed, unlike traditional coolers that demand frequent servicing. By combining sustainability with practicality, the Eco Cool system presented an innovative and scalable way to bring relief to overheated spaces, making it an ideal solution for communities seeking affordable cooling alternatives.
Beyond classrooms, the team envisioned that Eco Cool could be scaled to household settings, providing relief to families during peak summer months without the burden of high electricity bills.
Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
Despite the success of their prototype, the journey was far from smooth. The first major hurdle was the failed attempt at developing a cooling seat for bicycles and scooters. The team had to accept that their initial idea was not feasible and shift their focus entirely to the classroom cooling system.
Another significant challenge was the fragility of the clay pots. Since they were prone to breakage, maintaining the system required frequent replacements. The team had to experiment with different types of clay and reinforcement techniques to improve durability without compromising the cooling effect. Even though breakage remained an issue, the low cost of clay pots made frequent replacements manageable.
A Sense of Achievement
The students of students from the PiKademy -After School Cohort felt an immense sense of accomplishment in bringing their vision to life. Their invention was not just a theoretical solution—it was a real, working prototype that had the potential to improve learning conditions for students across India. The experience of working together, troubleshooting failures, and refining their design gave them a deeper understanding of problem-solving and innovation.
By leveraging traditional cooling methods in a modern, practical application, they proved that innovation does not always have to be high-tech—sometimes, the best solutions come from reimagining what already exists. Their journey was a testament to the power of curiosity, persistence, and teamwork.
Looking Ahead
The Eco Cool system serves as a stepping stone for further developments in sustainable cooling technology. With additional refinements—such as reinforced clay structures and optimised airflow mechanics—this invention could be scaled for wider adoption, bringing relief to countless individuals in hot climates.
The project also set an example for other young innovators, proving that age is no barrier to making a real impact. The students, with the guidance of their mentors, transformed a shared problem into an ingenious solution—one that not only addressed a critical issue but also reinforced the importance of sustainability and environmental consciousness.
In a world that constantly seeks advanced solutions, sometimes the answers lie in simple, nature-inspired innovations—and the students behind Eco Cool have beautifully demonstrated just that.
