The low-cost, easy-to-operate invention could be used to detect landmines in warzones, or could be used to locate dangerous items during anti-terrorism operations.

Chang Jianqiang, Xu's teacher who accepted the prize on his behalf, told reporters that judges raved about Xu's invention and that they believed that the shoes could play an active role in combatting international terrorism and in reconstruction efforts in warzones across the world.

It took Xu just three months to design the shoes despite having no experience with circuit boards and programming before beginning the project, according to Chang.

Xu Yijie spent three months designing his metal detecting shoes. [Photo/ sohu.com]