Clean Water Lens

Together DeShawn Henry and Jim Jensen learned that "difficult problems don't necessarily need complicated solutions."
 

Ocean Cleanup Arrray

Boyan Slat understands well the Tao (way) of oceans, and lets massive debris come to his Ocean Cleanup Array.
 

SoccketBall

"We're harnessing rotational energy. So as the ball is rolling around the field, we have a mechanism that's rolling with it ... [that's] transferring the kinetic energy into electricity," Jessica Matthews explains.
 

Solar Roadways

RoBirds

Ro[botic]Birds versions must look and fly like their identified predator - falcon or eagle - to scoot unwanted birds away.
 

Kolibree

How well do you, your mate and-or your children brush your teeth? I mean, really, how well? If you're not sure, then meet the smart toothbrush, which promises to make a frequent activity more effective and efficient.
 

Penguin Chickbot

So how about a cute penguin chick robot, in the clever service of science? It works!
 

Eco Car

I love this! Engineering students from the University of Toronto create a motor vehicle that is so fuel-efficient that it can travel 2700 miles on 1 gallon of gasoline. Let me repeat that: 2700 miles per gallon! The team won the Shell Eco Marathon last year, and they're aiming for 4000 MPGs this year... whoa!
 

Bluesmart

Diago Saez Gil + mates sought to raise $50,000 for their smart suitcase idea, and got $1.9 million, instead. Wow, maybe I should try that!
 

Apple I

"[The Apple I personal computer] is the seed artifact of the Digital Age. It's the beginning of the home computer revolution," Kristen Gallerneaux points out.
 

Steam Engines

Historic innovations - like the steam engines - tell a tale that's worth listening to: "The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in the late 18th century."
 

Salmon Cannon

"Salmon are a great example of fish that have to overcome huge obstacles, just to get back where they came from. Many never make it. But now those salmon have a better chance: They're getting 'cannonized'!"
 

SoloShot

The next step for SoloShot is that the camera be able to (a) "walk" so it can avoid people or objects getting in the way (e.g. like a smart robot); and (b) "fly" so it can actually track you across wider distances (e.g. as mounted on a drone).
  

Extinct Innovations

"What does it mean to shake it like a Polaroid?"

"Uh, dancing?"
 

Nano Clothing

"Did you fear that this may not succeed?"

"I always got those notions from other people. They would always try to force their thoughts into my head, saying 'No one's going to want this. No one's going to believe this. No one's going to want to buy this.' Sometimes if you really believe in an idea, you just have to drown out the rest of the world and just see what happens. So there's a big risk and an element of fear, but you have to push through it."

~Aamir Patel, 21-year old founder of Silic
 

The Pancakebot

"I make my imagination to do like a 'Pammcakebot' to make 'Pammcakes'."

Yes, exactly. You go, girl!
 

Trackr Bravo, Iotera, and Tile

As tracking devices, there is a lot of utility for Trackr Bravo, Iotera, and Tile. The distance between device and item makes a difference, so if you need one mostly for around the house, then Trackr Bravo is your solution. Otherwise, over longer distances, then Iotera is it.

Of course these devices can track not just things, but also people. By the same token, I imagine those people who track can themselves be tracked by other people. So, as it is with many inventions, I suppose, these devices can be used for good and not-so-good intentions.
 

Myo Armband

I'm sure the algorithms for detecting arm movements - from fine- to gross-motor - comprise of complex codes. But I imagine that the migration from mouse to Myo isn't that complex, at least not conceptually.

I like the notion of "If you're a gamer, then Myo is a game changer!" But I'm more into the arts than gaming, so I imagine Myo for orchestra conductors, performance arts directors, and innovative painters.
 

Bouyant Airborne Turbine (BAT)

The next generation of windmills for harnessing wind energy is the BAT: bouyant airborne turbine.  It has to be tethered to the ground, in order to transmit energy, but it reaches much higher altitudes where the wind is stronger.  Its design prevents planes and birds from flying into it, but what about its cable tethering - which could snare flying objects?

Over the next few decades, we can envision our skies full of traffic as we become increasingly less earthbound.  So I hope regulatory bodies and law enforcement are keeping up with the innovators!
 

Smart Accessories

Steve Jobs made major success and beaucoup bucks with technology + design. Now with Zazzi, fashion gets in on the act!