Powered by the Problem: A TEG-Powered Smoke Exhaust System for Off-Grid Communities

Overview

Cooking smoke kills millions each year, but most solutions need electricity or expensive fuel. Can the fire itself power a fan to remove the smoke? This project develops a self powered smoke exhaust system that harvests waste heat from cooking fires using thermoelectric generators. The system harnesses the Seebeck effect to convert a 100 to 150° temperature gradient into 3 to 10 watts of electricity, powering a DC fan rewired for suction, an optimized curved hood designed using the Venturi effect to accelerate airflow and capture smoke with 95% efficiency, and fan blade geometry  optimized with five steel blades at a 25° pitch to maximize airflow. The complete system reduced breathing zone PM2.5 by 60% from 820 to 328 µg/m. It requires no grid-connection and no fuel, proving that a low-cost off-grid solution to household air pollution is possible using only the fire that families light every day.

Awards (4)

• Challenge Award
• Special Award
• Silver Medal
• Selected for CWSF 2026

Competition history

• CWSF 2026 Energy

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