Christopher represents DkIT and Ireland at Invent for the Planet in Texas
Dundalk Institute of Technology student Christopher D’mello, a Third-Year Engineering student recently travelled to Texas to represent Ireland in Invent for the Planet (IFTP), an international initiative that engages third-level students to develop innovative solutions to global challenges such as environmental affairs, energy solutions, social issues, improving developing nations and resource equity, within a 48-hour timeframe. Approximately 1,500 students participated in the competition worldwide from 22 countries.
Speaking after the competition final, Christopher D’mello said:
"Representing Ireland at the Invent for the Planet global finals was a proud and unforgettable moment. The experience of working alongside students from so many different cultures, all passionate about solving real-world problems, was incredibly inspiring. I was grateful to share this journey with such a dedicated and creative team, and together we learned so much from the people and ideas around us. The insights we gained and the connections we built made the whole experience truly meaningful. I’m so thankful to DkIT and ATU for making this opportunity possible and for the constant support and encouragement throughout the journey."
Christopher was part of Team IRIS, a multidisciplinary team of students from colleges across Ireland. Team IRIS progressed to the final by winning the Irish leg of the competition, hosted in Atlantic Technological University (ATU), and was subsequently shortlisted from among the 36 Irish university winners for the final in Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering. Team IRIS was one of just seven teams which advanced to the finals in College Station, Texas, where months of development culminated in high-stakes pitches to a panel of judges.
The team developed an innovative solution addressing two major global challenges—plastic waste and sustainable construction, with the aim of empowering communities in poverty-stricken areas to build their own homes. Their project focused on creating eco-friendly bricks made from recycled plastic and other sustainable materials. This solution not only reduced plastic pollution but also provides a cost-effective, durable, and sustainable alternative to traditional building materials.
The overall competition winner was a team from Al Hussein Technical University in Jordan, ‘Aquarentures’ earned first place and a $5,000 prize for their low-cost, portable water sensor designed to detect toxic heavy metals in drinking water.
Congratulating Christopher, Sinéad Kelly, Lecturer in the Department of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at DkIT said:
“We are all incredibly proud of Christopher’s achievement and his performance at the Invent for the Planet global finals, alongside his IRIS teammates. It is wonderful to see Christopher using his Engineering skills to tackle global sustainability issues and collaborating with students from other academic institutions as part of a multidisciplinary team. I would also like to acknowledge the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) at DkIT who supported Christopher’s participation in the competition with SATLE funding, as well as ATU Galway who hosted the Irish leg of the competition and who supported Christopher throughout. Well done Christopher on representing DkIT so well on the global stage!”
