Featuring a wide-mouth funnel design, a new wind turbine could lower the cost of wind power to a price that is competitive with natural gas. The new design will capture the wind with its wide-mouthed funnels, directing the wind though narrow passages that will naturally speed up its flow. The accelerated wind will then be sent to a ground-level turbine, which will make maintenance both easier and safer while also reducing noise and vibration. The new technology will generate...

Designed for swimmers, the device will attach to a set of goggles to let athletes check their heartbeat without breaking stride. The device will attach to one side of the goggles, where an optical sensor will measure the heart rate from the temporal artery. As an onboard microprocessor will track the heart rate in real time, color-coded LEDs will illuminate to let the user know if they are currently on their chosen heart rate (Fat Burning, Fitness or Maximum Performance). The...

Firefighters can become easily disoriented in smoke-filled rooms, but a new vibrating helmet will be able to help them navigate nearby obstacles. The idea is to create a helmet by adding an array of ultrasound sensors and vibrational pads to a standard firefighting helmet. As ultrasound pulses are sent out from the helmet, the onboard sensors will analyze the echoes to determine the location and proximity of objects. The information will then be relayed to the firefighter as a...

A plant-based gel will be able to stop bleeding instantly and promote healing. The gel will be created using plant polymers that will solidify quickly when applied to open wounds. Basing his gel upon the skin's extracellular matrix (ECM), it is possible to synthesize the ECM using plant polymers that become liquid when separated. When the plant-based gel is applied to the wound, the synthetic ECM will recognize the skin's actual ECM and link with it, halting the bleeding instantly. The...

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...

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...

One day, snowboarders may be able to charge down the slopes while charging their batteries with a solar panel equipped snowboard. The snowboard will be equipped with a pair of solar panels fitted to the board's shape and connected to a converter in the center of the board. The board's two rechargeable batteries will be able to power smartphones and music devices, taking advantage of the bright sun on snowy mountain slopes.

The bag will be able to charge mobile devices and shift between backpack, messenger bag or briefcase forms. It will include a 54 Wh battery and three USB ports able to charge three devices at the same time. It can be tethered to a smartphone with Bluetooth and will also send alerts to the phone when the bag's battery is running low. The bag's unique strap system will allow it to change forms, and the 360 degree expansion zipper can be opened to create 240 cubic inches of extra space.

The headset will be designed to give first responders the ability to share and access patient data more easily, saving time and improving patient care. The head-worn device will feature a camera and microphone. The applications will be voice controlled, so the responder can look up patient records and enter new patient data by voice alone, and the camera will provide direct video communication between the responder and medical staff, allowing the experts to assess the situation and...

A new robotic wheelchair will go where no wheelchair has gone before--climbing over curbs and tackling stairs. The wheelchair will feature four independently powered wheels mounted on five axes. Sensors next to the wheels will scan obstacles to determine if they can be rolled over, signaling the wheels to change to legs if necessary. An on-board computer will help keep the chair steady and the legs properly aligned, allowing the legs to step on or over the obstacle. The legs will...