T2 Design & Prototype

06/24/2026

These always make me laugh.

06/15/2026

Cool idea.

💡 A brilliant young inventor

Picture never scrambling for batteries or digging through a drawer looking for a charger. Ann Makosinski, a 15-year-old student from Canada, built a flashlight that runs entirely on the warmth of a human hand. She called it the Hollow Flashlight, and it works by capturing the thermal energy the body naturally gives off and turning it into electricity.

🌡️ Science behind the heat

The flashlight uses specialized components called Peltier tiles, which produce electricity when two sides of the tile sit at different temperatures. Makosinski built a hollow tube through the center of the device so that cool air could pass through while the palm of the hand warmed the outer surface of the tiles.

* The device needs a temperature difference of about five degrees Celsius to function properly.
* It produces a steady, usable glow as long as the user maintains physical contact with the handle.
* This invention proves that body heat is a viable, sustainable power source for small electronics.

🌏 A global inspiration

The idea came from a friend living in the Philippines who was falling behind in school because her home had no electricity and she couldn't study after dark. That personal connection pushed Makosinski to find something cheap, reliable, and free of external fuel or batteries. It's a practical answer to a real problem, born from one teenager's frustration on behalf of another.

🏆 Worldwide recognition

Makosinski took first place in her age category at the 2013 Google Science Fair, which brought her work to a global audience. Since then, she has spoken widely about the overlap between art and science, pushing other young people to approach everyday problems with curiosity and a willingness to experiment.

Facts checked by

Sources:
Google Science Fair
CBC News
Smithsonian Magazine

04/14/2026

https://makezine.substack.com/p/tabletop-strike
A 3D printed bowling alley just for fun. Complete with a mechanical pinsetter, ball return, camera-based scoring system, and LED animations — at 22% scale Nice work Danny!

Danny Lum's 3D printed automatic bowling alley

04/07/2026

Add On Signs are weather resistant and magnetically attachable. They attach to real estate signs to provide up to date information. Designed and prototyped by T2 Design. https://www.addonsigns.com