The skier airbag will be able to detect a crash and inflate to protect the skier from injury. It will be necessary to create an algorithm that will allow the system to differentiate between the normal forces of ski racing, such as a jump or hard turn, and an actual fall. The airbag will only inflate when the data received from at least seven sensors exceeds a designated threshold. Once the signals of a fall have been detected, the 8-liter airbag will inflate using a cold gas...

Taking inspiration from nature, I suggest developing a self-healing solar cell that will repair itself with its synthetic vascular system. The self-regenerating solar cell will be designed with a network of channels that will mimic the vascular system of leaves, and will be composed of a water-based gel core, electrodes and light-sensitive, organic dye molecules. The dye molecules will produce electricity when they are "excited" by the sun's rays, but they will eventually degrade...

The practice basketball will be equipped with an array of sensors to provide specific feedback to players to help them perfect their game. Sensors inside the ball will measure aspects of play such as the speed of a dribble or the quality and release of a backspin. The information will be communicated via Bluetooth to a smartphone app that will focus on four different areas: Workout, QuickTraining, Compete and Challenge, which will let players interact with each other around the...

The new bike helmet concept will increase biker safety by embedding turn signals into the helmet itself. The helmet system will work via Bluetooth and feature arrow-shaped "turn signals" that will illuminate when the rider triggers a button on the handlebars. A bright forward-facing light and a red rear light will provide added illumination at night.

The idea is to put the bike light inside the handlebar stem, ensuring it's always there when you need it. The light will be enclosed within an aluminum stem that can fit most bikes. The stem will hold an array of ten LEDs that will send out a combined 500 lumens on high, illuminating an area eight feet wide and six feet at a distance of ten feet. The light can also be dimmed to 300 lumens or switched to a flashing mode, and light intensity and modes will be selected by the two...

A waterproof hearing aid could allow the hearing impaired to take part in more activities while still enjoying the added accessibility that hearing aids provide. The rugged hearing aid will be dustproof, shockproof and waterproof at depths up to 3 feet for as long as 30 minutes. The battery compartment will be connected using a silicon sealant, and oxygen will be able to reach the zinc air batteries by moving through a waterproof membrane.

An inflatable plug designed to prevent terrorist attacks could be used to help keep tunnels and subways from flooding. The flood-stopping plugs will be made using some of the same materials and processes that are used to make space suits. The plug will consist of three layers, which will help it maintain pressure, and will have a circumference slightly larger than the tunnel entrance, which will ensure a tight seal. It can be inflated using either air or water.

Unlike most waterproof cases, this one will be incredibly thin; so thin that it will be possible to use it in conjunction with another case. Made of polyurethane, it will be only 0.25mm thick yet will remain waterproof down to 32 feet. A clear acrylic panel will cover the phone's display, and the touchscreen functions will be unaffected.

The new smartphone will transmit sound through tissue conduction to make it easier to hear a call in noisy areas. The phone will feature the "Smart Sound Receiver", a piezo-electric actuator that will cause the entire display screen to vibrate. Holding the phone to the ear will allow the sound to travel through both connective tissue and the air in the ear canal, and placing the phone to cover the ear will help block out environmental noises. The phone will also include the...

A new solar powered communications module lets snow sports enthusiasts power their gadgets with the sun and control them with a Bluetooth enabled glove. The module includes speakers integrated into the helmet, a microphone in the chin strap, and a Bluetooth unit for sending and receiving data. To create the built in, curved solar panel solar cells are divided into small chips, allowing the cells to be spread over the arching surface and reducing chances of damage from stress. ...