About the Competition
BITS APOGEE 2026 presents an exciting 24-hour hackathon challenge focused on solving real-world problems using Phase Change Materials (PCMs). Participants will develop innovative, scalable, and impactful solutions addressing thermal management, energy efficiency, and sustainability across various domains.
This competition is designed to test your analytical thinking, technical knowledge, and business acumen, culminating in a structured case solution and presentation.
Competition Structure
Round 1: Qualifying Quiz (Tentative)
Participants must complete a technical quiz on PCMs, testing their understanding of:
Thermal energy storage concepts
Heat transfer mechanisms
PCM properties and limitations
Real-world applications
This round ensures all teams have a baseline understanding before proceeding.
Round 2: Case Hackathon
Shortlisted teams will participate in a 24-hour hackathon, where they will:
You will be given a case to read with a background guide
Analyze current solutions
Propose a PCM-based innovation
Build a strong business case
Final Submission Format
Teams must submit a maximum 4-slide presentation covering:
Slide 1: Problem Identification
Domain selection
Clear problem statement
Slide 2: Problem Significance
Why the problem matters
Current solutions and their limitations
Slide 3: Proposed Solution
PCM-based innovation
Technical feasibility
Quantifiable benefits (energy savings, cost reduction, etc.)
Slide 4: Go-To-Market Strategy
Target customers
Deployment strategy
Market positioning
Timeline
Hackathon Duration: 24 Hours
Final Presentation:
8 minutes presentation
4 minutes Q&A
(Exact start time will be announced by the APOGEE team; the dates will be 11-12 April 2026)
Team Guidelines
Team Size: 1-3 members
Cross-domain teams are allowed and encouraged
Participants must collaborate and submit a single unified solution
Pre-Requisites
Participants are expected to familiarize themselves with:
Phase Change Materials (PCMs)
Latent heat storage
Thermal regulation
Energy efficiency applications
Key Concepts
Heat transfer (conductivity, latent heat)
Supercooling
Phase separation
Encapsulation techniques
What You’ll Gain
Hands-on experience solving real-world sustainability challenges
Exposure to cutting-edge thermal technologies
Opportunity to build industry-relevant solutions
Networking with like-minded innovators
Evaluation Criteria
Your solution will be judged on:
Innovation & Creativity
Technical Feasibility
Business Viability
Quantifiable Impact
Clarity of Presentation
Resources
Participants may refer to:
PCM data sheets
Industry applications
Thermal energy storage concepts
(Links and additional material will be shared with registered participants on the day of the main event)