Image source: www.beeld.co.za
A 17 year old South African matriculant won the 1st prize at the international science expo in Pittsburgh, U.S. The prize included R17 000 and an invitation from the American Dental Association to return to the U.S. to patent the invention.
Chené Mostert from Hoërskool Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal invented a sterilization appliance for toothbrushes after she tested 150 different toothbrushes and found more than 100 different types of bacteria that grew on them.
The invention consists of hydrogen peroxide in a plastic container with 4 tubes to house the toothbrushes and a rotating system that scrubs the toothbrush when turning the handle manually. The container then also closes with a lid to prevent any further contamination with bacteria. Hydrogen peroxide is the safest sterilization chemical and does not leave a bad taste in the mouth.
Original article: www.beeld.com
Image source: www.beeld.co.za
