A new plastic able to flex while also resisting scratches could replace the glass currently used on smartphones. The plastic is made up of two separate layers--one that gives strength and another that resists fingerprints. The display has a pencil hardness of 9H and is not scratched even when scraped with 7 pounds of pressure from steel wool. In addition, the flexibility helps prevent the material from shattering if dropped and allows for a bendable display.

The air umbrella will keep the user dry without any canvas or fabric at all. The umbrella will feature a single plastic stick and no moving parts. Air will be sucked through the bottom of the stick's handle and will be expelled forcibly through the top to create a canopy of rain-deflecting air. The size of the air canopy can be modified by the user, and the handle of the air umbrella can also be lengthened or shortened as needed.

The umbrella features an adjustable grip, letting the user get a handle on strong winds and rain. It allows the user to hold the umbrella higher on the shaft, which is sometimes necessary when fighting strong winds. The adjustable grip is positioned above a standard, fixed grip, and can be moved and secured anywhere on the shaft with a lever/lock mechanism. The umbrella is up to 70 percent easier to control in high winds than standard umbrellas, and the higher grip option also...

The new display card will feature an LCD display and touch-sensitive buttons, which will help make online banking and buying a bit smoother. The display card will allow the user to create a One-Time Password (OTP) for added authentication. Because many banks require a separate method of identification for online or high-risk transfers, the new card will help streamline the online banking process by eliminating the need for a separate authentication token. It is believed that...

An inflatable plug designed to prevent terrorist attacks could be used to help keep tunnels and subways from flooding. The flood-stopping plugs will be made using some of the same materials and processes that are used to make space suits. The plug will consist of three layers, which will help it maintain pressure, and will have a circumference slightly larger than the tunnel entrance, which will ensure a tight seal. It can be inflated using either air or water.

A new LED lantern will be powered by only water and salt. The lamp will be powered by a saline solution, which the user will mix in the dedicated water bag. The salt water will then act as the electrolyte, surrounding the magnesium and carbon rods that will serve as the negative and positive electrode. The magnesium rod has a lifespan of about 120 hours, but replacements will be available for separate purchase. The lamp can also be used to power USB devices, and will include...

The Life Light lifesaver ring can be seen even at night, making it easier for both rescuers and victims to find. A combination marker buoy and lifesaver ring, the Life Light concept was designed to be more environmentally friendly while also remaining practical. The ring's stand is easy to install but difficult to remove, with a flared tip that opens when pulled upward from the sand, and the integrated LED lights ensure the ring is easy to find at night.

Filling the gap between LEDs and CFL is a liquid-cooled light bulb with a pleasant, cozy glow. The bulb is filled with non-toxic liquid silicon, which moves throughout the bulb to release the heat of the 10 internal LEDs. A volume compensation device ensures the bulb won't explode if it breaks, and it is compatible with most dimmers. Besides emitting a comfortable light, bulbs are also more efficient and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

The idea is to develop a thin film that can be rolled out to detect trace explosives underground, which could help in the location of the millions of active land mines buried around the world. The fluorescent nanofiberous film will be embedded with chemicals that can detect tiny amounts of explosive vapors as they are released from unexploded underground mines. The film will be lightweight enough to be rolled out to cover an area of suspect land without detonating the mines, where...

The fruit grader/selector can measure a fruit's weight as well as its sugar content and acidity, all at the same time. The unit uses optical sensors to measure sugar content and costs significantly less than current large-scale sugar content meters. Using just one unit with two fruit selectors, one person can process about 2000 tomatoes per hour. The unit is modular and easy to expand upon, including replacing the touch pad with a PC, and the team plants to add more sorting...