Interview with Akrem Mourad: A Tunisian Prodigy
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Akrem working on one of his inventions
Akrem Mourad, a young Tunisian inventor, was recently awarded the ALESCO first prize for his invention of a cell phone battery that charges within 50 seconds.
Akrem Mourad was born on December 26, 1990, in the downtown district of Halfaouin, where he still currently resides.
Though he is currently enrolled in his second year of study at the Preparatory Institute of Engineering, in Monastir, Akrem claims that he was always an under-achiever in academia. Mrad asserts that since his early years of school, he had trouble memorizing what was assigned to him. He found that the rote-learning techniques used in the Tunisian educational system were limiting his potential and his craving to challenge himself. For this reason, his favorite subjects were always physics and electrical engineering – because he found these courses in particular to be intellectually stimulating.
Tunisia Live caught up with Akrem to get his insights on a variety of important subjects:
When did you start thinking about inventing things?
I have always thought about inventing things – ever since I can remember. I have always experimented with inventing, even with my toys as a boy. I believe inventing is only a form of creativity and that this ability is innate. When given a new toy, most children would play with it and eventually break it. When I was a child I just thought of ways to make my toys different. It is very hard for me to stop thinking. I have a hard time sleeping at night because I am usually overwhelmed with thoughts and ideas. It is extremely hard to come up with a new idea from scratch. It requires thinking outside the box.
Can you tell us about the things you have invented so far?
Like I said, I’ve always had the ideas in my head. My first concrete invention was in 2008, when I invented an artificial muscle – which won an award.
Later I received the Best Invention Award in 2009 for a device to convert solar energy into electrical energy and water heating energy. I have applied for a patent for this invention, and I am awaiting the approval.
My latest invention won the ALESCO first prize, and was a cell phone battery that can be recharged in 50 seconds. Even though this battery was the only one that I was able to make with the resources available to me, theoretically a battery that charges in a shorter amount of time can be made.
What made your last invention win first prize?
The thing about the battery I created is that it is only a preliminary step to more complex products. Based on the same theoretical principles I used to make this battery, a laptop battery can be made. As a final step, we could even create a battery for an electric car.
The pilot product that I created is a step ahead of the Japanese and the American models. The Japanese have created a similar battery based on chemical reactions. Not only is this battery too expensive, but it is also very volatile due to the hazardous chemicals used. If this battery were to be used in an electric car, an accident could be catastrophic.
The U.S. has also developed a similar model based on Nano technology. While this is very advanced, it is also extremely costly.
My battery may be somewhat pricey for cell phones. However, if used on a larger scale, or for electric cars, it would be extremely affordable. It also runs no health risks.
What do you wish to see happen for your invention in the future?
My dream is to see my invention adopted in Tunisia. If it were produced in Tunisia, it would create jobs for thousands of unemployed Tunisian youth. I have applied for a patent for this invention in Tunisia also, and have yet to receive approval. I need the national patent approval before I can apply for a patent internationally. However, international patents are awfully expensive. For this reason that I am hoping for someone to adopt my ideas and sponsor me. Inventing is very costly, which is why inventors usually work in teams as opposed to individually.
What are the benefits and the disadvantages of being an inventor?
The only good thing about being an inventor is the joy of creating, and finding solutions to the questions on my mind. I take great pleasure in the process of physically creating my invention.
The bad thing about being an inventor is that I am constantly distracted by my own ideas. This has affected my studies in such a way that my mother was impressed I even made it through high school. However, I’ve trained myself to think like normal people sometimes. I also learned to use my way of thinking to my advantage – to be able to objectively construct solutions. Most people unconsciously put themselves as a factor in the equation when they are thinking of a solution to a certain problem. I am able to think of an issue independently of my own being.
After you are done with your education, would you like to stay in Tunisia?
If Tunisia adopts my inventions, my priority will be to stay here and see the project through. I am willing to offer Tunisia my inventions for free if they are interested. I am really hoping for an offer from the Tunisian government. I will be more than happy to help develop my country’s economy and employ fellow Tunisians.
I honestly feel somewhat upset, because I would really love to help contribute to Tunisia’s technology industry. However, I haven’t been given the chance. The Tunisian tech-industry is very limited. We are behind in all fields of sophisticated technology. We cannot make our own products, because they tend to be of lower quality and of a much higher price. This is why we need to encourage innovative ideas and creativity.
Tunisian inventors and creative individuals must stay in Tunisia and help boost our high-tech industry. However, if innovation is marginalized, innovators are bound to turn to their foreign offers.
Akrem receiving the ALESCO award
Akrem receiving his award
can anyone get this gentleman contacts, phone number or email ..quiet urgent and thank you in advance
his phone number is 21864687 and for E-mail you can contact houssemhoussem2010@live.fr
It is always a great treat to read of someone who is an original! We all benefit because someone who is gifted can “see” what others miss, can imagine what others are not aware of. It is of no concern from which country/ethnicity that imaginative person comes from. We are all the better for his/her ability to think outside of the box! Thank you, Mr. Akrem Mourad!
It is always a wonderful and satisfying experience to learn of someone doing something creative and original! It doesn’t matter where that person may live or what ethnicity that creative individual may share. All of us benefit from this gifted person’s creativity. My congratulations and my thanks for your gift shared and all those to be shared with all of humanity! May your wonder never cease!
“rote-learning techniques used in the Tunisian educational system”? Is he really talking about Tunisia here? He should have looked at other countries that really use rote-learning techniques to appreciate the Tunisian approach to learning.
Akrem Mourad is my new Tunisian hero!!! I can’t express enough praise for this young, intelligent, creative thinker! God bless you Akrem and don’t ever lose your inventive flame. Continue because your example is what young people here need to make the Arab Spring flower!!
Proud of you brother