Pluss Advanced Technologies Hackathon

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)