By boosting the cells' performance with a coating of perovskite, it is possible to develop spray-on solar cell technology that will be both efficient and affordable. Spray-painted solar cells have been being manufactured for some time now by using organic semi-conductors, but their efficiency has been traditionally very low. However, I suggest developing a spray-on technology that will use perovskite. It will create very little waste and can be scaled up to high-volume...

The idea is to create a special coating for cotton fabric that will allow it to collect water from fogs in the desert. An ordinary piece of cotton fabric will be coated with the polymer PNIPAAm. Normally cotton can only absorb about 18 percent of its weight in airborne water droplets, but the addition of the polymer will allow it to increase that amount to 340 percent when at temperatures up to 93ºF. Once the temperature rises, however, the polymer will become hydrophobic and will...

By building a power plant deep beneath the ocean, researchers hope to generate energy by harnessing the pressure of the ocean water. The plan would involve placing large tanks in the water at depths between 1300 and 2600 feet. Valves on the tanks would allow them to be opened, exposing the connected turbines to the pressure of the water as it rushes into the tanks. When full, the turbines could pump the water to the surface as saved as a sort of battery, a method known as 'pumped...

The sign language ring concept will track the signing motions made by the user and translate them into audio and written text. The system will consist of a bracelet and six rings, which will be stored on the bracelet when not in use. The ring will detect the hand motions and send the data to the bracelet, where the signs will then be translated into spoken word as well as displayed as text on the bracelet's screen.

By capturing wavelengths invisible to the human eye, it is possible to create transparent solar panels that will be placed on windows or device screens without blocking the view. The technology will be based around small, organic molecules able to absorb sunlight wavelengths invisible to the human eye. These materials will be tuned to pick up just the ultraviolet and the near infrared wavelengths that then 'glow' at another wavelength in the infrared. The trapped light waves will...

The adapter will enable seriously disabled people to control iOS products with a just a simple switch. Many people suffer from conditions that make it difficult or impossible to use a touchscreen or keyboard device. The plug-and-play adapter will make iOS devices more accessible by interfacing with the special switches already used in the Assistive Technology community. The adapter will work with the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch via the VoiceOver app, a gesture-based screen reader,...

A proposed 'vitamin authentication' pill could allow people to access their password protected systems by turning their whole body into a security pass. The idea will feature a small pill containing an electronic chip that will be powered by the acids inside the stomach. Once swallowed the chip will activate and create "an 18-bit ECG-like signal in the body so essentially your entire body will become your authentication token."

The idea is to develop a disposable organic sensor that will alert parents and caregivers when it is time to change a wet diaper. The flexible, integrated system will be printed with inkjet technology using organic materials and will be able to send information and receive its power wirelessly. While most healthcare sensors rely on silicon and other stiff materials, the new sensor will be printed on a thin piece of film, and so will be more comfortable to wear. And while there are...

A new technology able to automatically identify different type of plastic could significantly speed up the sorting process while also reducing instances of human error. The system will identify the plastic types by exposing the pieces to a flash of light, which will cause them to fluoresce. That light will then be read by photoelectric sensors, which will measure how long it takes the fluorescent light to fade. Since the polymer materials used to make plastic items have specific...