To take some of the guesswork out of waxing skis, the smart skis from will be equipped with microchips that will allow the user to know exactly where they should apply the wax. For elite cross-country skiers, the placement of the wax can make the difference between a gold medal and an honorable mention. The smart skis will feature an embedded microchip that will contain information about the ski's design and material, which can be accessed via the accompanying app. When the user is...

A stimulation glove designed for the elderly and stroke victims will help to improve their motor skills and tactile perception. A diminishing sense of touch is common among stoke patients and the aging. To help treat the problem, I suggest developing a glove that will passively stimulate certain nerve cells to improve the communication between neurons.

The idea is to develop a disposable organic sensor that will alert parents and caregivers when it is time to change a wet diaper. The flexible, integrated system will be printed with inkjet technology using organic materials and will be able to send information and receive its power wirelessly. While most healthcare sensors rely on silicon and other stiff materials, the new sensor will be printed on a thin piece of film, and so will be more comfortable to wear. And while there are...

A new pen will do more than just look good--it will also never need sharpening and will never run of out of 'ink.' The pen will be handcrafted of aluminum and wood, giving it an unmistakable style. The true beauty of the pen, however, will be contained in its Ethergraph tip, a special metal alloy that will leave a precise, permanent line on the paper--a bit like a combination of a pencil and ink pen. The tip will never wear out and will continue to write forever with no need for a...

The idea is to develop a microfluidic device able to function with tissue samples, which could significantly speed up the process of cancer biopsies. Previous versions of microfluidic devices have only been able to work with single-celled organisms. To overcome this limitation, I suggest creating a low-cost, credit card-sized device for pancreatic cancer diagnosis that will be able to analyze a whole tissue biopsy for 3D imaging. The silicon device will be equipped with tiny...

By combining three different base materials, the new 3D printer will be able to produce objects with a variety of colors and material characteristics. The printer will use three colors--cyan, magneta and yellow--that will be combined with other polymers to create objects that will feature combinations of soft, rigid or transparent qualities. The triple-jet technology will allow for hundreds of different color and material combinations (up to 45 different colors in one object),...

The new case for iPhones will let you keep your phone protected even while taking a call. The case will be equipped with a window and a proprietary touch-sensitive strip that will allow you to see who is calling and then take the call without ever opening the case's front cover. The flip-style case will be made of polycarbonate plastic and 'leatherette,' and will retain the phone's slim design.

The new device will expand the horizons of wearable sensors, and will be programmed to handle wide range of tasks. It will be equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer, thermometer and microphone as well as 2 GB of storage and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Because its functions will not be pre-set, the device can be programmed by the user with "when/do" statements to recognize gestures or certain conditions, and then react accordingly. Some examples of its...

The idea is to create a Bluetooth music receiver for use in old-style cassette decks. The cassette adapter Bluetooth will need to be inserted into the tape deck to instantly allow the car's cassette player to receive Bluetooth signals. Although there are other devices on the market that allow the user to listen to MP3s, the Bluetooth device will function without wires, eliminating tangles or limited range, and can be used to take hands-free calls when paired with a phone. The...

The device will alert ice-anglers via smartphone when a fish has taken the bait. The device will be a wireless transmitter that will attach to the ice fishing tip-up, a spring-loaded metal arm that pop up a flag when a fish is on the line. Although the flag will signal a bite, ice fishers must constantly check the holes to see if a flag is up, and too much delay could allow the fish to escape. The device will eliminate the need for visual checks by sending a smartphone alert when a...