Erfan Nouraee
Erfan Nouraee (Persian: عرفان نورایی; born 13 September, 2001) is an Iranian inventor, scientist and speaker. He is known for his award-winning invention of a method to detect the photoelectrons released from metal and to increase the optical signals’ quality that won the International Invention and Innovation Award by the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) in 2021. As a high school student, he won the 2016 Khwarizmi Youth Award at National Science Fair. Since 2020, he has attended York University as an undergraduate.
Early Life
Nouraee was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. [1]
Before his family relocated to North York in 2020, Nouraee lived and studied in Richmond Hill. [2]
Nouraee was around eight when he started making objects he had envisioned, using paper, glue, trash and discarded houseware appliances. His parents bought him electronic modules as birthday gifts. [3]
Inventions and Awards
Nouraee invented a low-cost optical fibre communication sensor which can increase the quality of messages sent through light waves and reduce the byproducts of optical fibre cables that are harmful to the environment. The device relies on photon detection and a processing system, solving a major issue in the optical fibre industry. [4][5]
He won a bronze medal at the international invention and innovation competition from the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations(IFIA) in Geneva. The medal is of the significant innovation awards given to inventors. [4][6][7]
When he was 16 years old, Nouraee won the top prize at the Khwarizmi International Award in Tehran with his invention “quantum analyzer sensor based on the photoelectron’s radiation detection.” The device can quantify the “liberated photoelectrons” of metal and measure and show the properties of electromagnetic radiation of particle acceleration. [3] [8]
He won third place at the Federation of International Robot-soccer Association (FIRA) RoboWorld Cup and Congress in Taiwan. [3]
Nouraee received congratulatory messages from several senior Canadian government officials, including Mayor of Toronto John Tory; Premier of Ontario Doug Ford after winning the Innovation Award. [3]
In 2020, Nouraee was named the Economic Club of Canada's Young Leader Delegate in a conversation with President Barack Obama. [9]
Nouraee is active in the Liberal Party of Canada, headed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In September 2021, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award gave Nouraee the Bronze Standard for his volunteer work as a member of the youth advisory committee to Minister Mary Ng. [10]
