Innovation from Indore: Three Teenagers Win 2025 Earth Prize with Salt-Powered Vaccine Fridge
In a remarkable display of youth innovation and sustainability, three teenagers from Indore, India—Dhruv Chaudhary, Mithran Ladhania, and Mridul Jain—have won the prestigious 2025 Earth Prize. Their invention? A salt-powered fridge that can store vaccines without electricity—a breakthrough solution with the potential to revolutionize healthcare access in remote and underserved regions.
🌱 A Solution Born from a Problem
In many rural and developing areas, maintaining the cold chain for vaccines remains a huge challenge due to the lack of reliable electricity. Inspired by this global issue, the trio developed a zero-electricity refrigeration system powered by salt and water. This innovation not only reduces carbon footprint but also ensures that life-saving vaccines remain effective in the most remote corners of the world.
💡 How Does the Salt-Powered Fridge Work?
The science behind the project is beautifully simple and deeply effective. When salt dissolves in water, it creates an endothermic reaction—absorbing heat from the surrounding environment. The team engineered a device that harnesses this natural reaction to keep the interior cool enough for vaccine storage.
What makes this project even more impressive is its cost-effectiveness and portability, making it ideal for real-world deployment in rural health centers and during disaster relief missions.
🏆 About the Earth Prize
The Earth Prize is an international environmental sustainability competition for teenagers, recognizing impactful solutions to the planet’s most pressing challenges. Competing against thousands of teams worldwide, the Indore team impressed the judges with their innovation, clarity of thought, and real-world application.
Winning this prize not only earns them global recognition but also provides funding and mentorship opportunities to scale and implement their invention.
👏 Young Minds, Big Impact
This win is not just a personal achievement—it’s a message to the world that Indian youth are driving global change. Their invention is a testament to what happens when young minds are empowered with knowledge, tools, and purpose.
“We just wanted to solve a problem that mattered,” said one of the winners in a statement. “This is more than a science project—this is our way of giving back.”
🌏 Why It Matters for Sustainability
At Frame Innovative, we’re committed to celebrating and amplifying stories like this because they align with our core mission: supporting sustainable, eco-friendly innovations that improve lives and protect the planet.
✅ No electricity required
✅ Reduces waste and spoilage of vaccines
✅ Low-cost and low-tech solution
✅ Scalable for use in developing countries
This project is a perfect blend of environmental responsibility, scientific ingenuity, and social good—the kind of innovation that can shape a more equitable, sustainable future.
🚀 What’s Next?
With their win, the Indore team is now exploring partnerships to manufacture and distribute the fridge. Their dream? To see their product being used across India and eventually, the world.
At Frame Innovative, we believe stories like these inspire others to dream big, act boldly, and build a greener tomorrow.
🙌 Let’s Celebrate Youth Innovation
Do you know a young changemaker or eco-inventor? Share their story with us! And if you’re inspired by Dhruv, Mithran, and Mridul’s work—spread the word.
Let’s fuel innovation. Let’s build a sustainable world. Together. 💚
