Omani student's innovation turns noise into electricity

Omani student's innovation turns noise into electricity

Omani engineering student Amna Kayed Al Jabri has developed a renewable energy system that captures sound from high-noise environments and converts it into usable electrical power, a project that has won her a place representing Oman at the 67th London International Youth Science Forum from July 19 to August 1. The invention uses an energy conversion process that first turns sound energy into heat and then employs thermoelectric technology to produce electricity, targeting applications in busy roads, factories and crowded public spaces.

"The idea came to me during my final year of high school while studying sound waves in physics," Amna said. "I learnt that sound is a form of energy and asked myself, 'If sound contains energy, why can't we convert it into electricity?'"

Amna’s work began as a question in a high-school physics classroom and evolved through years of research and engineering design. While she has kept technical details confidential to protect the innovation, she explained the core principle: harvesting otherwise wasted acoustic energy by converting it into thermal energy, then applying thermoelectric modules to generate an electrical output. The system is designed with high-noise environments in mind—locations where consistent acoustic energy could be captured at scale.

Beyond the basic concept, Amna highlighted potential practical uses. She said the technology could help power small medical devices and sensors, particularly in remote areas with limited access to reliable electricity. That application aligns with broader efforts to develop distributed, low-power energy sources that support sensors and devices outside traditional grids.

• Inventor: Amna Kayed Al Jabri, engineering student
• Institutional support: University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Shinas
• Technical approach: Sound-to-heat conversion followed by thermoelectric generation
• Recognition: Representing Oman at the 67th London International Youth Science Forum (July 19–August 1)

Turning the concept into a functioning prototype required overcoming material and design challenges. "Finding suitable materials, refining the design and identifying the most effective applications required extensive testing and repeated improvements," Amna said. She credited her family and mentors, notably academics at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Shinas, for their encouragement throughout development. "Their encouragement gave me the confidence to continue, especially during the most difficult stages," she added.

The international platform of the London forum will give Amna an opportunity to present her research, exchange ideas with young scientists from around the world, and engage with leading experts in energy and engineering. She described participation as "a dream come true" and said she hopes the experience will deepen her scientific knowledge, strengthen her research skills and help build international collaborations that can accelerate development and potential commercialization.

Looking ahead, Amna urged other young innovators to pursue simple ideas with persistence. "Every successful project starts with a simple idea," she said. "With determination, perseverance and a willingness to learn, that idea can become something that benefits Oman and the world." Her project remains at the research and prototype stage, with further testing and material optimization expected before any large-scale deployment or commercialization is attempted.