The idea is to create a sensor which will be permanently placed in an individual's eye to help monitor and manage glaucoma. People at risk of developing glaucoma are often required to have their eye pressure checked many times throughout the year. However, eye pressure can vary throughout the day, and even checks throughout the year may not indicate the disease when it is in its early stages. To help make monitoring eye pressure easier, and more constant, a low-power sensor...

A new laser-based method of treating cavities could replace fillings by encouraging the tooth's dentin to grow back naturally. The method could be developed around the idea that specific wavelengths of light can trigger the body's healing properties. Beaming a dose of specifically-tuned laser light at a hole drilled in a tooth will set off a chain reaction that stimulate the stem cells to turn into dentin. This 'low-level light therapy' could also be used to trigger stem...

An implanted device that will electrically stimulate the spinal cord could allow people paralyzed by spinal injuries to learn to walk again. The device will be made up of thin, flexible microelectrodes that will be implanted in the spinal cord to stimulate its nerve pathways with electrical impulses. This stimulation will trigger the nerve roots to "provoke motion sequences of movements and support the motor function," potentially allowing the patient to learn to walk again. ...

A newly developed method of ensuring paint layers have been properly applied could help prevent rust as well as diagnose the early signs of skin cancer. The system will emit a beam of terahertz-frequency radiation into the paint, where it will penetrate the paint layers without causing damage. As the beam moves through the layers, it will be reflected back at different intensities of light, which will reveal the thickness of the paint layers and allow the technician to determine if...

The idea is to develop nanogel able to help burns wounds heal faster by creating a scaffold for skin cells to grow on. The gel will be based on a self-assembling ultrashort peptide technology. When water is added to the hydrogel, the peptides will react by self-assembling into a water-holding, fibrous gel that will mimic the extracellular matrix--a key part of skin tissue. This scaffold will provide the ideal environment for skin cells to grow, enabling the gel to heal burn wounds...

The pure towel concept will dry towels where they hang, helping to save energy while combating damp, germy towels. The concept will feature a ring-shaped scanner fitted with a '360 degree UV ray' and a circular fan. The device's smart hanger will be able to recognize the recently-hung towel and send a signal to the UV-equipped ring, which would then begin to scan the towel up and down--drying it completely within ten seconds. The device will not only help save the energy...

The sensor is designed to reduce respiratory-related flareups by making it easier for COPD and asthma sufferers to keep track of their medication use, symptoms and triggers. A small sensor device will be attached to the top of the user's current inhaler, where it will pair with a smartphone to keep a record of when and where the inhaler was used. The data will be used to help monitor symptoms and find trigger patterns, which will help to reduce the number of exacerbations.

A vibrating capsule meant to be swallowed may offer an alternative to medication for people who suffer from chronic constipation. The tiny capsule will be equipped with an electric motor that will cause the entire device to vibrate. The vibrations will be set to begin six to eight hours after the capsule has been swallowed, which will give it time to pass through the stomach and into the intestines. Once it has arrived at the intestines, the capsule's vibrations will stimulate the...

A dual-frequency ultrasound device will be able to determine when arterial plaque is in danger of breaking off, providing an earlier diagnosis of people at a high risk of stroke or heart attack. Current methods of detecting this vulnerable plaque rely on the use of a contrast agent, which is drawn to the areas of vulnerable plaque and highlights them in ultrasound images. However, the intravascular ultrasound devices used in this method are not very good at detecting the contrast...

The idea is to have a machine able to detect a range of diseases and health problems, including a hangover, from the user's breath. After the user blows into the device using the attached hose, an infrared laser within the machine will irradiate the breath. This will allow trace elements to be detected and identified.