The label popper will make is easy to quickly and completely remove the labels from steel cans, making it easier to recycle every part of the can. When the paper label is left on the can, it is burned away when the metal is melted down, wasting trees. The label popper's narrow, flexible extension will not be sharp, but will be able to slip underneath the label, slicing it and making it easier to remove. Each label popper will be manufactured using renewable energy, and include...

It would be cool to have ear plugs able to filter noise electronically. Using such ear plugs, you can easily talk to a co-worker, while filtering out background noise, by simply twisting the adjustment knob.

It was proved that the bacteria in a sheep's stomach that enable it to digest cellulose can also help clean TNT contaminated soil. The TNT breaks down completely, leaving no trace in the animal's feces. Why not plant grasses in TNT contaminated soil and set the sheep free to graze and clear the land at the same time. According to my estimations, a flock of 20 sheep could completely clear an acre of TNT residue in less than three years.

The idea is to create a biodegradable carpet, which can be shredded and turned into organic fertilizer rather than incinerated. The carpets will be made of organic wool held together by a biodegradable paste rather than the conventional latex backing. The new paste will also use 50 percent less energy in its application, requiring lower temperatures for less time than conventional methods.

The idea is to use a new technology to create plastic from sewage. The process will transform sewage into a biodegradable plastic by first removing the water and certain solids. A group of bacteria that address different parts of the sewage, such as sugars or fats, then will work together to produce a bioplastic polystyrene that will be similar to the top of a disposable coffee cup. The bioplastic resin will biodegrade within 6 to 12 months.

The idea is to create a way to make foam from paper mill waste, simultaneously reducing waste and creating a useful product. Some of the finer waste fibers from paper making are excellent feed-stock for nano-crystalline cellulose (NCC). Why not develop a method of processing the NCC into composite foams by adding a furan resin to the unprocessed foam. Paper mills create millions of tons of waste product annually, much of which could be re-used in this new method of foam...

The idea is to use waste bins as mobile power sources, able to power household appliances or party starting speakers and amplifier. The bins will consist of a solar panel, car battery, and inverter. They will be lightweight and mobile, and can be adapted to a variety of uses, and could eventually be used to provide cellular charging stations or sell goods in rural areas.

The new bottle is supposed to encourage environmental awareness by allowing the user to keep track of how many plastic bottles they have saved from the landfill. The bottle features a stainless steel canister with an integrated, rubberized dial that lets the user mark off each plastic bottle saved at each refill. It also includes an iPhone app that can translate the saved plastic bottles into oil savings or allow the user to track progress collectively with friends.

The new "smog eating" panels will be designed to be attached to the exterior walls of a building, where they will absorb pollutants from the air. The panels will be coated with titanium dioxide, which will break down pollutants into harmless matter when exposed to direct sunlight. The matter will then be washed away at the next rainfall. 10,000 square feet of panels are supposed to clean the same amount of air as about 80 trees.

The Robo-Fish is designed for constant monitoring of marine pollution, detecting sources of contamination and relaying the information back to shore for real-time updates. The 1.5 meter device is based upon the hydro-dynamic shape and motions of an actual fish, which allows it to maneuver quickly and easily, even in weedy areas. It can detect contaminants with an array of micro-sensors, and, since it is constantly monitoring the area, send an alert immediately if it detects...