Hear Sumner Gubisch describe his work in a 1-minute video.
GW's Technology Commercialization Office (TCO) is proud to announce Mechanical Engineering student, Sumner Gubisch, as the inaugural Student Inventor of the Year.
This award recognizes a student’s outstanding achievement through inventing technology with potential to transition from academia to the commercial sector. Gubisch earned this award for his work on two inventions, one providing an unexplored source of clean energy, and the other optimizing the maintenance of 3D-printing equipment.
The first invention integrates thermoelectric materials directly into a heat exchanger, allowing it to generate electricity from temperature differences within the system as it functions. The prototype converts otherwise wasted thermal energy into usable electrical power, demonstrating the potential to provide a clean source of supplemental power across numerous industries.
The second invention, for which Gubisch and his co-inventor Kartik Bulusu took home a $5000 cash prize at the 2026 Innovation Competition, focused on a sensor system for 3D printing filaments that actively monitors their health and continually adjusts storage conditions to maintain optimal performance.
The Student Inventor of the Year award is accompanied by a monetary prize to support the professional development of the student and their inventions. This award demonstrates GW's commitment to uplifting the next generation of innovative researchers, providing the resources that students need to bring their ideas to life. Sumner's inventions serve as inspiring reminders that breakthroughs are within reach at every stage of a scientist's journey.
TCO congratulates Sumner Gubisch on this remarkable achievement, and will continue to support all GW students who raise the university to new heights with their curiosity, innovation, and dedication.