Thursday, March 19, 2026

Founder Innovates Firefighting Technology, Now Develops AI Solutions

Sunny Sethi started a company called HEN Technologies in Hayward, California. HEN makes fire nozzles that can put out fires up to three times faster than older ones. These nozzles also save 67% of water. Sethi is excited about new projects for his company.

Before HEN, Sethi studied surfaces and adhesion for his PhD at the University of Akron. He also worked on new materials in solar power and several other technology fields. His interest in firefighting began after he faced wildfires while living in California.

In June 2020, Sethi founded HEN. With funding from the National Science Foundation, he studied how water affects fires. He created a nozzle that controls water droplets and resists wind. HEN now not only sells nozzles but also monitors and valves.

HEN’s system helps fire departments manage water better, preventing them from running out during a fire. The company has 1,500 customers and expects to earn $20 million this year. Investors see great potential in HEN, which recently raised $20 million. Sethi plans to keep growing his business.

Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
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AccentSpeed

Technologies/tɛkˈnɒlədʒiz/noun
The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes especially in industry.

Nozzles/ˈnɒzlz/noun
A device designed to control the direction or characteristics of a fluid flow as it exits an enclosed conduit or pipe.

Resists/rɪˈzɪsts/verb
To withstand the action or effect of something.

Preventing/prɪˈvɛntɪŋ/verb
To keep something from happening or arising.

Customers/ˈkʌstəmərz/noun
Individuals or businesses that purchase goods or services from another organization.

Potential/pəˈtɛnʃəl/noun
Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
OFF
AccentSpeed
Technologies/tɛkˈnɒlədʒiz/noun
The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes especially in industry.
Nozzles/ˈnɒzlz/noun
A device designed to control the direction or characteristics of a fluid flow as it exits an enclosed conduit or pipe.
Resists/rɪˈzɪsts/verb
To withstand the action or effect of something.
Preventing/prɪˈvɛntɪŋ/verb
To keep something from happening or arising.
Customers/ˈkʌstəmərz/noun
Individuals or businesses that purchase goods or services from another organization.
Potential/pəˈtɛnʃəl/noun
Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.

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