In the five years that Popular Science
has run the Invention Awards, we’ve seen a lot of remarkable things come out of
people’s garages. Some are designed to treat the sick or save the planet.
Others are simply fun to play with. But no matter what the purpose, the
brilliance of the inventions and the dedication of the individuals behind them
are always inspiring.
This year’s 10 honorees carry on the tradition: a
pen that can screen for prenatal diseases for less than a penny, a machine that
uses a boat’s exhaust to treat onboard waste, and even a jet-propelled body
board light enough to carry from your car to the water. Each of last year’s
inventions takes on a different challenge—and solves it in its own ingenious
way.
The Stark Hand
John B. Carnett / Popular
Science
Created by Mark Stark, The Stark Hand prototype provides an
ingenious, comfortable, and very inexpensive alternative to the hook his friend
Dave Vogt had worn all his life. With the new hand, Dave can now catch balls
and grip wine glasses.
The BodyGuard
John B. Carnett / Popular
Science
David Brown designed The BodyGuard, a crime-fighting
armored glove, as built-in self protection. The demo model has a camera, a
wrist mounted stunner and lots of room for future improvements. The idea came
to David while talking to his friend, Kevin Costner.
The PrintBrush
Jonathan Worth / Popular
Science
Weighing in at less than a pound, Alex Breton's PrintBrush
easily fits in a laptop bag and prints on any flat surface, from wood to fabric
to plastic. Alex worked on the project for 11 years, but a version with a bonus
built-in camera comes out early next year.
The Katal Landing Pad
Jussi Grznar / Popular
Science
Aaron Coret and his friend Stephen Slen came up with the
Katal Landing Pad after Aaron had a nasty snowboarding accident. The board,
which was used during the 2010 Winter Olympics, provides a giant cushioned
landing for snowboarders and helps make the sport safer.
Dynamic Eye Sunglasses
John B. Carnett / Popular
Science
Unlike regular sunglasses, Chris Mullin's glasses
block glare instantly with liquid crystal lenses that darken the most where the
sun's light is the brightest. A particularly sunny commute inspired Mullin's
invention.
The Bed Bug Detective
John B. Carnett / Popular
Science
Built to imitate a dog's nose, the Bed Bug
Detective sniffs out bedbugs quickly. Chris Goggin plans to create a model that
can detect other pests, too, including mice and cockroaches.
A Prenatal Marker to Screen for Pregnancy
Complications
John B. Carnett / Popular
Science
Designed by a college student and his classmates, the
Prenatal Screening Kit, or safety pen, helps detect complications in
pregnancies at an early stage. The pen will be quite cheap, costing only a
third of a cent per use, making it a perfect tool for hospitals in developing
nations.
The Zero Liquid Discharge
John B. Carnett / Popular
Science
With a pleasant name for a gross procedure, the Zero Liquid
Discharge, or ZLD, completely oxidizes and evaporates sewage from boats,
airplanes and RVs. After flash evaporation, the waste leaves as a harmless,
odorless aerosol
.
Kymera Motorized Body Board
John B. Carnett / Popular
Science
The lightweight Kymera Body Board is Jason Woods's solution
for a timeless problem (for lucky people): how to have fun at the lake without
the hassle of lugging a boat around. The latest version of his motorized body
board hits speeds of 25 mph.
The Medical Mirror
John B. Carnett / Popular
Science
While it can't tell you if you're the fairest of them all,
the Medical Mirror can tell you your heart rate, which is probably more
valuable in the long run anyway. A webcam behind the mirror captures variations
in reflected light on your face, and an algorithm translates that into
heartbeats.
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