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THE BUILDING of an innovative cooking stove designed for use in developing countries has won the top prize in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Cork student Richard O’Shea becomes the Young Scientist of 2010, taking home a trophy and a cheque for €5,000.

Richard (18) accepted his award last night at the RDS in Dublin from Minister of State for Science Conor Lenihan. “This is just incredible, I can’t take it in,” the shocked student admitted as cameras flashed and television microphones were thrust forward. “I just can’t describe it. I didn’t think I’d get that far.” When asked about the cash prize, Richard said he would likely give most of it to charity. “I didn’t enter to make money.”