Sopore girl develops dual-nature boat prototype powered by solar, steam

Mufferah busy operating boat prototype at her residence in Sopore. -Excelsior /Aabid Nabi
Mufferah busy operating boat prototype at her residence in Sopore. -Excelsior /Aabid Nabi

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 17: In an impressive endeavour to contribute to a sustainable future and explore alternative energy sources, a young student from Sopore in North Kashmir has successfully developed a prototype of a boat that operates on both solar and steam power.
Mufferah Majeed Khuroo, 20, a physics enthusiast known for her inquisitive nature, was inspired by a solar light in her family’s possession, which led her to delve into the functioning of solar energy conversion.

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The talented student, hailing from the Doabgah area of Sopore, meticulously worked on the concept of incorporating solar energy into a boat’s mechanism. After a year of dedicated work, Muffara successfully built a fully functional boat with dual-nature capabilities.
Initially focusing on the solar mechanism, Mufferah managed to understand the process of converting solar energy into electric energy and got it implemented in the boat model. She explained, “When sunlight hits the solar panels, the photovoltaic effect converts the energy into electric energy, which is then stored in an accumulator. When we operate the motor, it powers the fan and propels the boat forward” she said.
After accomplishing the solar-powered boat, Mufferah further enhanced her creation by integrating a steam-powered mechanism. She stated, “Last year, I added the solar power option, and this year, I incorporated steam power. However, acquiring the necessary raw materials and parts posed a challenge.”
Elaborating on the steam mechanism, she emphasized that the vapour pressure generated enables the boat to move, offering an alternative propulsion method for boats.
With her success in both mechanisms, Mufferah’s dedication to finding sustainable solutions has resulted in a boat that operates efficiently using both solar and steam power.
Despite having a functional model of her solar-steam-powered boat, Mufferah’s pursuit of improvement continues. She is actively working on incorporating new features, such as remote control functionality, to make her invention more efficient and user-friendly.
Addressing the enhancements, she expressed, “While I have added several smaller features, I am currently focused on developing a remote control system. The previous model had some drawbacks, but they have been rectified in the new one.”
Confident in her invention’s solid conceptual foundation, Mufferah envisions building a large ship that solely runs on solar energy. However, she faces challenges in obtaining the necessary materials, and she seeks support and assistance to realize her vision, noting that with the right help, her idea can be transformed into a practical solution that benefits society.
Abdul Majeed Khuroo, Mufferah’s father, praised his daughter as an observant and meticulous individual. He recalled that when she approached him with the idea of incorporating the solar mechanism into a boat, he had no doubt that she would achieve something extraordinary.
He also highlighted the importance of recognizing Mufferah’s invention at a Governmental level, urging the authorities to support and guide her, enabling her to refine her model and bring it to a stage where it can be utilized for the betterment of people.