17-year-old girl invents sound-powered fire extinguisher that douses flames without water or chemicals, wins gold at international event

A 17-year-old student from Mexico has won a gold medal at the International Science and Invention Fair (ISIF) 2026 in Indonesia for developing a prototype fire extinguisher that uses sound waves instead of water, foam or chemical agents to put out flames, as per a TOI report. Ángela Karime Venegas Hernández created the device, called Vortex Tech, with guidance from her uncle, José Arturo Hernández Muñoz, after becoming interested in the possibility of using sound to suppress fire.

The competition was held from October 14 to 16, 2026. The project explores how low-frequency sound waves can disturb the airflow around a flame and interrupt the combustion process. While the invention has attracted attention for its potential applications, it remains an experimental prototype and has not been established as a replacement for certified firefighting equipment.

How does Vortex Tech extinguish fire without water?

Vortex Tech uses sound waves at a frequency of approximately 30 hertz to create air disturbances around a flame. Its components include a 12-volt battery, a frequency generator, an amplifier, a speaker and a modified container that directs the sound towards the fire.


The frequency generator produces the signal, while the amplifier and speaker convert it into acoustic waves. When directed at a flame, these waves generate swirling movements in the surrounding air, known as vortex rings.

The resulting airflow can disrupt the conditions that sustain combustion and help extinguish a small flame. The principle has similarities to blowing out a candle, where moving air disturbs the flame, although Vortex Tech generates the airflow through sound rather than a person’s breath.

According to reports about the project, the device has been tested on small flames involving different materials. However, its performance can depend on factors such as the size of the fire, distance from the flame and surrounding airflow. Its effectiveness and safety in real-world emergencies would require further independent testing.

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How did the student develop the sound-powered extinguisher?

The idea reportedly came to Karime after she watched a video showing a sonic cannon being used to extinguish a flame. The demonstration prompted her to explore whether the same physical principle could be applied to a smaller, more practical device.

She began working on the project with her uncle, José Arturo Hernández Muñoz, who guided her through the research, construction and testing stages. Their work focused on understanding how acoustic waves affect the air around a flame and whether those effects could be reproduced using a portable setup.

The development process took approximately a year and involved five successive prototypes. The first version took about two months to develop and could extinguish a small flame, although it reportedly struggled to do so consistently.

Rather than stopping at the initial result, the pair continued to test and modify the device. Each version allowed them to assess what worked, identify limitations and make further changes. The fifth prototype eventually became the version presented as Vortex Tech.

Karime has credited her uncle’s guidance and patience as important to the project’s progress. Their collaboration illustrates how a student’s classroom interest can develop into an extended experiment with the help of an experienced mentor.

Where did Karime win the gold medal?

Karime presented Vortex Tech at the International Science and Invention Fair 2026 in Indonesia, where she won a gold medal. The event took place from October 14 to 16 and brought together projects from different countries.

The award followed the development of several prototypes and testing of the sound-based fire suppression concept. Her achievement has drawn attention to the role of school-level science projects in exploring possible solutions to practical problems.

Reports also said she received the IYSA Semi Grand Award, which gave her an opportunity to participate in the Indonesia International Applied Science Project Olympiad (I2ASPO) 2026, scheduled for December.

Could sound-powered extinguishers replace conventional fire equipment?

One potential advantage of acoustic fire suppression is that it does not need to spray water, foam or chemical powder directly onto the flame. If the technology can be developed and validated further, it could be explored for situations where residue or water damage is a concern.

However, winning a science competition does not establish that a prototype is ready for widespread use. Its ability to tackle larger fires, work reliably in different environments and meet safety requirements would need to be independently assessed.

For now, Vortex Tech should be viewed as an experimental approach to fire suppression rather than an alternative to certified extinguishers, fire alarms or emergency services. Its significance lies in the scientific idea it explores and the work undertaken to turn that idea into a testable device.