The idea is to develop nanogel able to help burns wounds heal faster by creating a scaffold for skin cells to grow on. The gel will be based on a self-assembling ultrashort peptide technology. When water is added to the hydrogel, the peptides will react by self-assembling into a water-holding, fibrous gel that will mimic the extracellular matrix--a key part of skin tissue. This scaffold will provide the ideal environment for skin cells to grow, enabling the gel to heal burn wounds...

The pure towel concept will dry towels where they hang, helping to save energy while combating damp, germy towels. The concept will feature a ring-shaped scanner fitted with a '360 degree UV ray' and a circular fan. The device's smart hanger will be able to recognize the recently-hung towel and send a signal to the UV-equipped ring, which would then begin to scan the towel up and down--drying it completely within ten seconds. The device will not only help save the energy...

A deadly beetle has inspired an ATM protection system that will defend itself from thieves. The system was inspired by the bombardier beetle's ability to spray its enemies with near-boiling acid. The beetle stores the ingredients for the acid in two separate chambers in its body, which prevents them from mixing until it is ready to attack. Following the beetle's lead, it is possible to build a system of two honeycomb structures filled with chemicals. The structures will be...

A new self-healing plastic can go beyond healing small cracks by regenerating itself to seal even large holes. The plastic is based on a technology called 'vascular delivery,' that has been under development for some time. The technology is built upon using a series of vein-like channels to circulate two chemicals that can flow into the gaps caused by damage. When the two chemicals mix, they form a gel that fills the space and then hardens into a strong polymer--repairing the...

The Seatower turbine platform could help encourage offshore wind farming by providing a cheaper and easier to install alternative. While offshore wind farms have many benefits, their platforms are expensive to install and require huge, specialized equipment for set-up. The Seatower foundations, in contrast, can be mass-produced on land and easily transported. They are hollow, and so will float easily--allowing them to be towed to their installation site with a reasonably small...

The sensor is designed to reduce respiratory-related flareups by making it easier for COPD and asthma sufferers to keep track of their medication use, symptoms and triggers. A small sensor device will be attached to the top of the user's current inhaler, where it will pair with a smartphone to keep a record of when and where the inhaler was used. The data will be used to help monitor symptoms and find trigger patterns, which will help to reduce the number of exacerbations.

A vibrating capsule meant to be swallowed may offer an alternative to medication for people who suffer from chronic constipation. The tiny capsule will be equipped with an electric motor that will cause the entire device to vibrate. The vibrations will be set to begin six to eight hours after the capsule has been swallowed, which will give it time to pass through the stomach and into the intestines. Once it has arrived at the intestines, the capsule's vibrations will stimulate the...

The new bike lock will help discourage bike theft by disengaging the bike's steering system, making it a bit harder for thieves to 'snip, grab and ride.' The system will be integrated into the bike's stem, where it will be locked or locked by a key. The system will be securely fastened for riding, but a simple turn of a key will disconnect the handlebar stem from the fork--making it impossible for anyone to steer the bike. In addition to deterring thieves, the handlebar...

By isolating the chitin in shrimps' exoskeleton it is possible to create an alternative to plastic that can break down in two weeks to provide nutrients for plants. The approach will include mimicking the molecular structure of the chitin as closely as possible and then adding silk derivatives and wood flour. These additions will help to ensure the material will not crack or shrink while it is being used for injection molding. The new material can be altered for use in water or dyed...

A dual-frequency ultrasound device will be able to determine when arterial plaque is in danger of breaking off, providing an earlier diagnosis of people at a high risk of stroke or heart attack. Current methods of detecting this vulnerable plaque rely on the use of a contrast agent, which is drawn to the areas of vulnerable plaque and highlights them in ultrasound images. However, the intravascular ultrasound devices used in this method are not very good at detecting the contrast...