Vishay’s LEDs and resistors used in annual Solar Olympics

The goal of the Solar Olympics is to interest Belgian youth in science and technology while promoting the use of green energy. This year, teams from 30 secondary schools participated in the competition. Each team was given € 100 and a 7.5 W solar panel and was responsible for securing any additional funding through sponsorship. Winning projects were recognized in five categories and awarded € 250. 

Vishay sponsored the winning entry in the "Finish" category, providing resistors and low-current LEDs to limit power consumption for an interactive children's dustbin. Created by students from VTST in Antwerp, the stainless steel device — comprising individual bins for general garbage, compostable material, and recyclable plastics and metal — is designed to teach children to sort through play. 

To use the interactive gadget, children press a button bearing an icon of the material they want to dispose of, and then the button of the bin in which they want to dispose of it. If a child selects the wrong bin, all three will show a flickering red "X" using Vishay LEDs, and the child can try again. If the child makes the correct choice, the proper bin will show a green circle and the child can dispose of his or her garbage.