The implant will transmit neural signals from the brain to a computer, that may then be able to relay the signals and allow control of a paralyzed limb. The implant will be about the width of dime and will have a film of microcircuits on its bottom, which will sit in contact with the brain. The microcircuits will detect the patterns of firing neurons and then send the signals to an external computer, using the conductive quality of the skin as a way to use little power for the...

I suggest using a new method of steel processing which results in an end product that is lighter, stronger, and more environmentally friendly than traditional methods. The process takes only ten seconds, rather than the hours or days of heating in conventional steel plants. The metal is flash heated and then quickly cooled, which alters the microstructure of the steel and results in a product that is 7% stronger and 30% more flexible than traditional steel. And since the...

The organic laser uses a protein found in jellyfish as its light source, creating the first organic laser. The laser uses a single cell as its optical gain media. The cell was engineered based upon a species of jellyfish that uses green fluorescent protein (GFP) to create bioluminescent light. An inch long cylinder with mirrors at each end was built, and then a cell that express GFP at the required level was placed inside the cylinder. The cell based device created short bursts of...

Why not develop a liquid-flow battery that can be used with electric vehicles, enabling them to be recharged as quickly as pumping gas and cutting the cost of current batteries in half? The batteries will consist of a liquid electrolyte semi-solid that will contain the electrodes to provide electricity. Once the energy from the electrolyte material is depleted, it can be removed from the battery and replaced with a fully charged amount. The depleted electrolyte material will be...

Why not develop a new microscope lens that can capture three-dimensional images without the need for multiple lenses or a moving camera? The lens will be shaped a bit like a gemstone, with eight facets surrounding a central facet. Each facet on the lens will be slightly different from the others, which will enable each one to capture an image of the object from slightly different angles. A computer then will combine the nine images into one three-dimensional image. Hopes are...

My idea is to create a small multifunctional monitoring device. The battery operated and reconfigurable device will have four slots for biosensors such as a pulse oximeter or an electrocardiograph. The device will also incorporate a camera and a microphone, and will be able to transmit data wirelessly over the internet. Since it will be self contained, all the data and signal processing will be done on the device itself, rather than conventional wireless medical devices that only...

My idea is to create a cell phone application for wheelchair users that will give information about the accessibility of nearby locations. The application will use a color coded map to display the accessibility levels of various places, such as cafes, theaters, or clubs. The maps will use open data that will allow users to modify and update the information. This open contribution ability is very important, because it allows the application to grow as it is being used.

It is known that a basking shark feeds by swimming with its mouth open. The shape of the shark's body plays an important role in its efficiency as a feeder. A pressure differential is created as the shark swims, resulting in lower pressure along the shark's top and helping to draw water out of the shark's gills in a way that allows it to rely on the passive flow of water to feed. Why not design a turbine with the shark's design in mind? Water enters through the first turbine while...

Why not create a driving monitor which will provide new teen drivers with verbal comments to help bring attention to driving errors? The monitor is to be wired to the car's onboard computer and equipped with an accelerometer and a GPS. It will alert the driver to aggressive driving, such as sudden turning or braking, and significant speeding. It will also disable mobile phones while the car is in motion. It could be also possible for parents to be notified of their teen's...

I've just stumbled across this article about magnetic pills. Scientists can hold such pills in a specific place in the body, pinpointing the most effective location for the body's absorption of the drug. Some drugs can only be absorbed in specific parts of the intestine, and traditional oral pills don't usually stay in that one spot long enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream. The new drug delivery system uses an external magnet system with computer control and feedback...