Ann was inspired to create the thermoelectric flashlight after learning about a friend in the Philippines who was struggling with a lack of electricity to study at night. She began researching alternative energy sources and thermoelectricity.

Ann developed her first prototype of the thermoelectric flashlight, utilizing Peltier tiles to convert heat into electricity. This early version demonstrated the feasibility of her concept but required further refinement.

Ann submitted her thermoelectric flashlight to the Google Science Fair. Her project was selected as a finalist, bringing her international recognition and validation for her invention. This marked a significant turning point in her career as an inventor.

Ann Makosinski wins the 15-16 Age Category at the Google Science Fair.

Following her Google Science Fair success, Ann continued to refine and improve her thermoelectric flashlight design. She explored different materials, optimized the energy conversion process, and worked towards making the flashlight more efficient and practical.