Students show visitors their inventions at the 8th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair.

Do you lick the lid when drinkingyogurtto prevent waste but feel embarrassed about doing so in public?

You don’t have to worry if you use a straw invented by a primary school student which is on display at the 8th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair from Thursday to Saturday.

It is one of 37 inventions by young Shanghai students, including 12 that are patented or applying for patents.

Many of the inventions aim at making life more convenient.

“People like drinkingyogurt, and thickyogurtis likely to stick to the lid, which is a conundrum in the industry,” saidQinZixinfrom Shanghai Normal University Demonstration Primary School. “It is common to lick the lid when drinkingyogurt, which is neither hygienic nor convenient. So I decided to design a kind of straw that can removeyogurtfrom the lid.”

Inspired by the structure of an umbrella,Qinadded a similar push-pull structure to the outer layer of an ordinaryyogurtstraw. After inserting it into theyogurtcup, users can push the out layer and stretch out the accessory. By rotating the straw, drinkers can scrape theyogurtoff the lid.

Qin has a patent for the invention.

Qin Zixin invented aspecial straw for yogurt drinkers.

How Qin Zixin's straw foryogurt drinkers works.

ZhangEnxianfrom ShanghaiFengxianHigh School presented a type of detachable all-directional wheel with a brake for luggage. It is already available on e-commerce platformTmall.

“Wheels for luggage are easily worn-out and some people just abandon the suitcase entirely, which is a waste of resources,” saidZhang. “So I decided to make a wheel that can be easily installed to and removed from luggage by users to avoid such waste. And with a brake, we don’t have to hold the luggage all the time to prevent it from sliding away.”

Zhang Enxiandeveloped a type of detachable all-directional wheel with a brake for luggage, already available onTmall.

WuZengyangfrom the Second School Affiliated toFudanUniversity has developed an inflatable neck pillow that can be used as an infusion stand.

“Children usually can’t sit still for long when put on a drip while adults also have difficulties if they want to use the toilet during infusion,” said Wu.

His design includes a pouch on either side of the inflatable pillow and can hold infusion bags or bottles. Patients can rest their neck against the pillow while freeing their hands during the long drip process.

He also equipped the pillow with a pump that can adjust the drip volume and an alarm that can remind patients when the liquid is about to run out.

He has applied for a patent.

Wu Zengyang (right)developed an inflatable neck pillow that can be used for infusions.

The invention by JiangLuyufrom East China Normal University Songjiang Experimental Middle School can connect consuming materials used in 3D printers.

“3D printers are increasingly popular, but sometimes we may have to scrap the semi-finished products when the consuming materials run out,” he said. “It’s a huge waste.”

His invention, costing just 3 yuan (46 US cents), can connect the different materials to reduce waste and also materials of different colors to meet special needs in 3D printing. He has developed five versions of his invention.

People interested in the inventions can visit the fair’s website (www.csitf.com) for free tickets or pay an online visit.

Jiang Luyu's invention can connect materialused in 3D printers.