A TEENAGE engineer has scooped several awards at US science fair for a device which could be used to save lives.
James Popper, a student from Marlborough College, has been praised by fire chiefs for the design, which detects kitchen fires without setting off false alarms.
He was inspired to develop the device after an elderly friend with dementia had a devastating kitchen fire.
About 1,600 students took part in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in San Jose last week.
The CookerSmart design detects the infrared in flames, reducing the likelihood of false alarms.
The 18-year-old won accolades including the best of category award for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, and an invitation to the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar.
It sees 25 of the world’s best young scientists and engineers meet during the Nobel Prize ceremonies.
He also came first in the US Government Patent and Trademark Office Society Award and was the winner of the United Technologies Corporation Prize.
James received cash awards, two scholarships, company shares and a grant for his school.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here