The folding pen mouse concept will shift from a mouse to a tablet pen, providing two ways to interact with the screen. The folding pen mouse will be equipped with a pair of sensors - one on the tip and one on the base - and a recessed hinge system that will allow it to be folded in half and secured with magnets. When used as a tablet pen, the device will sense speed, direction and pressure. In mouse form, it will perform the usual mouse functions.

The vest will combine the technology of driverless cars with the natural skills of bats and pit vipers to help the visually impaired navigate. The system will feature a vest equipped with sensors and emitters that will be arranged to provide 360 degrees of detection. The system will include a LiDAR laser, which is used in driverless cars; ultrasound, used by bats for echo-location; and infrared, used by pit vipers for thermal location, which combine to deliver extremely effective...

The device will not only track your car's health, it will also help you remember where you parked. It will plug into the car's data port and communicate with the smartphone via the included app. Once installed it will automatically connect to the smartphone each time the driver (with phone) begins a trip. The device will track mileage and gas usage, retrieve engine trouble codes from the car's computer and offer possible repair solutions. The built in accelerometer will...

The idea is to develop a set of earbuds that will provide a non-invasive method of monitoring pressure inside the skull. Usually, intercranial pressure is measured by drilling a hole in the skill and inserting a catheter--a process that is both expensive and somewhat risky, and therefore used only in serious cases. The earbuds, in contrast, will be used in cases that won't require such extreme procedures, but will still benefit from pressure monitoring. The earbuds will...

The dragonfly-inspired turbine will be small enough to be erected in a backyard and will harness energy from winds as low as four miles per hour. Based on the dragonfly's ability to float on light breezes and still navigate through gale-force winds, the turbine will be made of lightweight carbon and polycarbonate, which will allow it to harness low winds and at low altitudes. It will also withstand the force of larger winds, due to its slim-line design, and, standing only 20 meters...

Nanonsheet material able to cling to irregular skin could provide a more effective treatment for burn victims. The nanosheets will be made by first spinning the biodegradable polymer poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) in a test tube of water, breaking the material down into smaller pieces. This mixture will then be poured onto a flat surface, where the pieces overlap and merge to dry into a single sheet. The unique makeup of the nanosheet will allow it to tightly cover even tiny bumps and...

The idea is to develop a swarm of robotic bees that will help pollinate crops if required. The RoboBees will feature specially designed artificial muscles and miniature sensors that will to allow them to process cues from the environment in order to make decisions. They are intended to be used as a swarm, coordinating their actions without relying upon a single leader. Beyond their potential to augment the pollination of real bees, the RoboBees could be used for search and...

A new wetsuit for surfers and swimmers will help prevent shark attacks by making the wearer invisible and seemingly less tasty to sharks. The will be two wetsuit styles that will help deter attacks in two different ways. One, designed for swimmers and divers, will use a Cryptic Pattern that will cause the wearer to blend into the background, making them difficult for sharks to see. The other, for surfers, will feature a Warning Pattern that will mimic the patterns of untasty fish,...

The idea is to develop a way to use piezoelectric materials to harness the energy in loud sounds, potentially leading to quieter engines and new way to harness wind power. First approach is to use a piezoelectric material to build a very thin, sensitive membrane of aluminum able to transform sound vibrations into enough electricity to power a small sensor. They it will be possible to attach the membrane to a liner that will quiet the sound of the engine by canceling out certain...

Seniors, and other people at risk of falls, may one day feel a bit steadier with the further evolution of vibrating insoles able to reduce falls by subtly stimulating the soles of the feet. Falls are a leading cause of injury among seniors, and are often the result of lack of balance and unsteady gaits caused by reduced sensations in the feet. Previous research has shown that stochastic resonance can mitigate some of the deficits in the sensory system by creating a sort of 'white...