A new thin-film drug-delivery technique could enable medications to be released directly into targeted locations in the body for up to 14 months--drastically altering the way we traditionally treat pain. The technique will make use of biodegradable, thin-films that have been loaded with drug molecules using a "layer-by-layer" method. This layer method will allow the drug to be released steadily and for a longer period of time than previous methods, and the amount of drug being...

Replacing lithium with sugar could create stronger, long-lasting batteries with more energy storage capabilities. The idea is to heat sucrose to as high as 2,700 °F in an oxygen-free atmosphere. This process, called pyrolysis, results in a hard carbon powder that can be embedded in a sodium-ion battery to create a storage capacity 20 percent greater than conventional hard carbon.

The bottle charger will charge a smart phone with boiling water and a tiny turbine. More than 200 million cellphone users in Africa do not have electricity, and must walk long distances to charging stations. The bottle charger will work by harnessing changes in temperature, powering a cell phone in about 30 minutes with just one cup of boiling water. It will feature a miniature turbine, which will respond to the changes in air pressure within the plastic bottle. In addition to...

A new breed of artificial trees able to scrub carbon dioxide from the air could help to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. The air filtering device will feature strands of a resin-based material that will attract the CO2 and bind to it - capturing the carbon dioxide directly from the air and creating bicarbonate salt. It could take as many as 10 million 'artificial trees' to lower the atmospheric CO2 concentrations by 0.5ppm per year. While this application may be a bit in the...

The new water purifier will be a portable, low-power system that will simplify the process of bringing clean water to rural areas. The purifier will work by boiling the water until it turns to steam, which will then be compressed back to liquid water in a pure, distilled form. A hose attached to the device will be inserted into the water - be it ocean water, a mud puddle or even liquid from a chemical waste site. The water will be drawn into the purifier and heated to its boiling...

The i-port injection port will make dealing with diabetes a bit more comfortable by allowing multiple insulin doses to be delivered through the same hole. The quarter-sized i-port will attach to the skin like an adhesive bandage and make the initial skin puncture when it is first attached. The device can remain in one spot for three days, allowing the user to inject their insulin directly into the port instead of needing to puncture the skin several times in one day. Each i-port...

The world's first unstealable bike can be designed around the idea of building the lock into the bike, for example in the frame. The frame's lower tube can separate and open outward, forming a pair of arms that extend enough to be placed around a solid object like a pole or bike rack. The bike's seat (with the post attached) will then be removed and inserted through the open ends of the arms to form the lock. The integrated lock will act as a powerful theft-deterrent, since breaking...

In an effort to re-use the million of tons of building rubble produced each year, a way to recycle concrete with lightning was found. The lightning bolts of a short duration are more likely to pass through a solid. The idea is to produce lightning bolts and direct them to the concrete. As the lightning follows the path of least resistance, it separates the material into its fundamental components. A concrete recycling plant using the lightning method could be a reality in as...

A digital imaging system could give firefighters the ability to see through heat and smoke, making it easier to detect objects and people. Although firefighters can use infrared cameras to spot warm bodies, the cameras are often overwhelmed by the heat from extremely hot fires. The new system will use digital imaging to capture infrared signals in 3D and covert them in real time to holographic video. The device will feature an infrared laser, which will be able to penetrate a...

A personal mister will help cyclists keep cool while biking during the hot days of summer. The device will attach to the bike's handlebars and feature a user-controlled spray mechanism. Triggering the spray will draw water from the 100-ml reservoir and send a fine mist over the cyclist with each click. Three or four clicks per minute will be enough to completely moisten the torso and create a cooling effect. The device will be removed from the handlebars with a quick release, and...