The Intel National Science Fair 2010

The Intel National Science Fair 2010
Zain Shami (AS-level) won the GRAND AWARD (Chemistry category) in the INTEL NATIONAL FAIR 2010. Zain participated in the Intel National Science Fair with the project of Preparing Black Ink from Fruit Arils of Pomegranate (Punica Granatum).

The abstract of his project is as follows:

Abstract

The waste instead of leaving to cause pollution can be utilized to make useful products. The arils of pomegranate that are thrown away contain tannin. The arils of pomegranate were dried in the sun and crushed into powder. A paste was prepared from powdered arils and was mixed with ferrous sulphate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃) to produce black ink. The quality of ink with respect to colour brightness, durability, water resistance and viscosity of the ink was tested and compared with the commercial ink.

For the preparation of ink red ripe arils of pomegranates are more useful. Most of all waste of pomegranate can be used to prepare environment friendly and quality ink which not only reduces pollution but also provides cheaper source of black ink for millions of students and people in world.

Zain received Grand Award Individual and Best of Category (Chemistry) for this project. The Intel National Science Fair had participants from all over Pakistan. There were 117 projects covering Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Both male and female students brought their projects to the fair. There were individual projects as well as group projects. Fair remained open for three days and many students from local schools visited the projects. There were five rounds of judgments by different scientists.

In the end award ceremony was organized where in Federal Minister of State for Education was the Chief Guest. Certificates were distributed among the top of the category and then three Grand Awards were announced for each category.

Zain will now be competing in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair at San Jose, California, USA, where more than 1500 students from more than 50 countries are expected to participate.

Congratulations! Zain Shami