A new facial recognition identification system will go below the surface to identify a person based on the blood vessels within the face. The system will use a thermal imaging camera to perform an infrared scan on the individual's face. A specially designed algorithm will then process the image information, revealing even the tiniest blood vessels beneath the skin. The accuracy of the system is supposed to be over 97 percent, and its complexity will make it practically unable to...

The new lasers technology will involve taking advantage of perovskites, a material made from calcium titanium oxide. Perovskites have the ability to form near-perfect , complex crystalline structures from ready-made solutions and at low temperatures.

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...

A chinstrap that harvests energy from jaw movements could one day be used to power medical implants and wearable devices. Jaw motion is considered one of the best sources of generating electricity from body movements, with an average of 7 mW of power possible from simply chewing meals. The chinstrap could be made of piezoelectric composites that will generate an electric charge when stretched. I believe that 60 seconds of chewing could result in about 10 µW, which is far from...

The solar powered mouse will charge itself from the glow of the computer screen. The wireless optical mouse will feature a top-mounted panel and rechargeable battery as well as space for a regular AAA battery backup. A DPI button on top of the mouse will allow the user to switch the AVAGO high speed laser optics between the standard1000 DPI or 1600 DPI for more precision. While the solar-powered computer mouse is not a new idea, this one will differ in that it will be powered...

The umbrella features an adjustable grip, letting the user get a handle on strong winds and rain. It allows the user to hold the umbrella higher on the shaft, which is sometimes necessary when fighting strong winds. The adjustable grip is positioned above a standard, fixed grip, and can be moved and secured anywhere on the shaft with a lever/lock mechanism. The umbrella is up to 70 percent easier to control in high winds than standard umbrellas, and the higher grip option also...

The sleek and intuitive window socket concept will be a portable, solar powered socket designed to be easily attached to a window. Meant to be easy to use with no special training, the small, round window socket will feature a solar panel surrounded by a suction plate and a converter that will convert the energy to electricity. A battery on the device will store the power for later use, and it will provide up to 10 hours of continuous power when fully charged.

Using a titanium scaffold, it will be possible to develop a method to create a more lifelike, flexible artificial ear. Previous artificial ear technologies required doctors to create the ear shape from a lump of cartilage. In contrast, the new technique will involve using a 3D computer model to build a basic ear shape out of titanium mesh. The mesh will be used to hold together the collagen connective tissue from a cow and then will seed with cartilage cells from a sheep, which...

The air purifier bike concept will let riders clean the air as they ride by filtering out pollutants and creating oxygen. The concept bike will be equipped with an air filter between the handle bars that will screen pollutants and dust and an oxygen-producing "photosynthesis system" that will include a water tank, electric motor and a battery. As the bike is being ridden, air will be forced through the filter and cleaned, allowing fresh air to flow onto the cyclist. The...

The idea is to develop a motion-tracking heating system that will synchronize a building's climate control as individuals walk by. The WiFi-based system will be mounted on the ceiling, where its panels of infrared bulbs will work with an array of mirrors and motors to project heat directly onto the individuals--instead of needing to heat the entire building.