Student Finalists Revealed for 2019 Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge

There may be no better time for students to argue that their innovations can “change the world” than at this year’s Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge (EIC). Twenty-one teams (detailed below) will make their case on April 3 at the competition finals hosted by the Foster School’s Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington. Politics aside, these student entrepreneurs want to solve problems at a time when things like the “Green New Deal” are making headlines and presidential candidates are leading their platforms with an environmental focus. It will be up to more than 125 cleantech entrepreneurs, investors, and environmental leaders to judge which team is best able to showcase their ideas and possibly win more than $15,000 in prizes.

However, the rewards for these students go well beyond money. Each team that applied for the competition, whether they were selected as finalists or not, received significant feedback and advice from a select group of screening judges. This year, the teams of students from UW alone represent nearly 20 schools and departments across the Seattle campus.

Good luck to the 2019 Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge finalists:

AeroSpec
AeroSpec developed a system to measure and monitor air pollution at a scale that has not been previously possible at an individual or group level.

• University of Washington (Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Chemistry)

Alpine Hydro
Alpine Hydro is developing a system to harness the power of mountain streams that is both non-invasive to surrounding ecosystems and generates a high-yield compared to similar offerings.

• University of Washington (Finance, Construction Management)

Apollo
Apollo is developing a low-cost electrode optimized for next-generation solar cells.

• University of Washington (Molecular Engineering, Mechanical Engineering)

Atomo Coffee
Atomo Coffee is recreating a better cup of coffee that is better for the environment without using any beans.

• University of Washington (Entrepreneurship)

Chibage Chip
The Chibage Chip helps farmers combat yield reduction caused by climate change by acting like a pregnancy stick for plants and detecting a hormone that signals when plants are “thirsty.”

• University of Washington (Biological Physics, Structure and Design)

EcoFlow
EcoFlow created a unique leak and water flow WiFi sensor that is less expensive, easier-to-install, and provides more features than currently existing products.

• University of Washington (Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Applied Physics, Economics, Visual Communication Design)

EDrive
EDrive is developing a safe, reliable, simple, universal, and maintenance-free bicycle upgrade system that aims to provide similar benefits to expensive electric bicycle options.

• University of Washington (Chemical Engineering)

ElectroSolar Oxygen
ElectroSolar Oxygen is building a solar-powered concentrator for patients who require oxygen therapy in underserved communities. The device aims to be cost-affordable and sustainable by not requiring electricity to work.

• University of Washington (Chemical Engineering, Business)

Global Water Labs
Global Water Labs offers technical expertise to local water providers in impoverished, resource-constrained regions to pilot and scale up low-cost drinking water treatment technologies.

• University of Washington (Medicine and Genome Sciences, Business, Civil and Environmental Engineering)

Hava
Hava is an air filtration product that reduces household air pollution in low-resource settings through the innovative use of coconut shells.

• University of Washington (Bioengineering)

LadyChalice
LadyChalice’s menstrual cup is an improved alternative that is environmentally friendly and a more cost-effective female hygiene product for use during menstruation.

• University of Washington (Business, Mechanical Engineering)

Lonely Produce
Lonely Produce connects small farmers with buyers through an efficient food distribution marketplace to minimize food waste and environmental impact in the local supply chain.

• University of Washington (Business)

MOtiF Materials
MOtiF Materials has a platform technology that rapidly synthesizes highly desirable materials that are currently difficult to produce in an environmentally sustainable and industry scaleable manner.

• University of Washington (Mechanical Engineering)

NanoPrint
NanoPrint has created a 3D printing filament using a zero-waste manufacturing process that is recyclable, biodegradable, and affordable.

• University of Washington (Business, Bioresource Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering)

Paca Y Paca
Paca Y Paca is a subscription company that allows users to order custom candles that melt evenly, are cooler to the touch, and feature a uniquely sustainable container system.

• University of Washington (Entrepreneurship)

Pallicera
Pallicera created a unique coating that prevents pharmaceutical waste while improving the taste of necessary medications for children and elderly patients.

• University of Washington (Chemical Engineering, Business)

Permanink Produce
Permanink Produce is developing a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to what you currently find in those non-biodegrabale plastic and vinyl PLU stickers attached to fruit and vegetable peels.

• University of Washington, Seattle University (Mechanical Engineering, Finance, Informatics, Human Centered Design and Engineering, Bioresource Science and Engineering, Computer Science)

PuriCake
PuriCake is a bio-degradable urinal cake that breaks down pharmaceuticals in urine to prevent them from polluting the water supply.

• University of Washington (Chemical Engineering)

Sparks and Shocks
Sparks and Shocks is a next-generation drone company that aims to drastically reduce the power consumption, weight, and noise generated by UAV’s while increasing the control response through the use of an innovative new thruster system.

• University of Washington (Mechanical Engineering)

Three Farmers
Three Farmers is developing a smart agricultural system that reduces the damage caused to the environment from the misuse of fertilizer.

• University of Washington (Technology Innovation, Computer Science and Prototyping)

WM Launch Services
WM Launch Services is developing a new type of projectile launcher which will eliminate the pollution associated with space launch while simultaneously saving billions of dollars in launch costs.

• University of Washington (Aerospace Engineering)