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About the Contest

Contest History

Sponsors

Previous Winners

Press & Blogs

Contest History

The Create the Future Design Contest was launched in 2002 by the publishers of NASA Tech Briefs magazine to help stimulate and reward engineering innovation. The annual event has attracted more than 7,000 product design ideas from engineers, entrepreneurs, and students worldwide. The contest's principal sponsors are COMSOL, PTC, and Tech Briefs Media Group. See below for information about the sponsors' products for engineering design & analysis.

This year, for the first time, teams are invited to submit entries for collaborative designs.

Previous Winners

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS

2008
LifeBelt® CPR
Thomas Lach, Deca-Medics, Columbus, OH
Device makes it easy and safe for anyone to perform high-quality CPR compressions for extended periods of time.

2007
Litroenergy™, a New Light Source Material
Steve Stark, MPK Co., Champlin, MN
Can emit light continuously for more than 12 years without exposure to sunlight or other energy sources.

2006
Integrated Motor/Pump
David A. Torrey, Advanced Energy Conversion LLC, Malta, NY
Fluid pump design reduces parasitic losses in trucks/other vehicles, improves thermal performance of the electric motor through direct liquid cooling of the windings, and shrinks size by combining the motor and pump in a single housing.

2005
Low-Cost In-Vehicle Emergency Warning Device
Patrick Scholes, CPS Systems, Germantown, TN
A simple emergency beacon detector circuit interrupts a car’s audio system’s power when an emergency vehicle approaches, emitting a brief alarm signal to alert drivers and prevent collisions.

2004
Unitary Orthopedic Appliance
Leonard Duffy, Chittenden Research and Development, Hinesburg, VT
A unique interlocking fastener design with advantages over hook-and-loop systems enables orthopedic devices that can be easily removed, cleaned, and reused.

2003
OsteoSonic™ Noninvasive Bone and Joint Damage Detection Device
Michael Liebschner, Rice University, Houston, TX
This portable, battery-operated unit that fits in the palm of the hand can detect bony fractures and soft tissue damage, operating without radiation.

2002
Rotary Pinion Face Gear Set
Fred Vreeman, Orlando, FL
Low-friction gear set operates with high efficiency over the entire range of power transmission capability.

CATEGORY WINNERS (introduced in 2007)

CONSUMER PRODUCTS CATEGORY

2008
Universal Proprietary Water Purifying/Conditioning Multimedia for Bottled Water
Jim Jablonsky, J&M Associates, Hatfield, PA
Filter paper based on nanotechnology is inserted in the drinking cap of a bottle of water to inexpensively and easily remove heavy metals, arsenic, mercury, bad tastes, and odors.

2007
LED Cocoon Tent
Stephen Boynton, Orem, UT
A solution to the issues of jammed, snagged, worn out zippers and low visibility inside a tent at night.

MACHINERY/EQUIPMENT CATEGORY

2008
Small Area Thin-Film Heat Flux Sensor
Mahmoud Assaad, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Akron, OH
Novel sensor enables engineers to identify critical high-temperature zones within a tire structure to design safer tires for cars, trucks, and aircraft.

2007
Cargo Management System
Jeremy Connell, Blacksburg, VA
Innovative truck bed design increases functionality while maintaining normal usage.

MEDICAL CATEGORY

2008
Pediatric Vision Screener – Mark V
Kristina Irsch, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
The PVS simultaneously detects proper alignment and focus of infants’ eyes, enabling early detection of amblyopia or “lazy eye” – the leading cause of vision loss in childhood.

2007
3D Ultrasonic Neuronavigation System for Image-Guided Brain Surgery
Ajay Mahajan, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Murphysboro, IL
GPS-like system could help surgeons navigate through the brain to find and remove everything from tumors to bullet fragments easily, cheaply, and with hardly any cutting.

SAFETY & SECURITY CATEGORY

2008
Electronic Fog, Frost, and Ice Prevention Technology
Don Skomsky, Integrity Engineering, Inc., West Chester, PA
Tested successfully on Mount Everest (mountain climbers’ goggles), this energy-efficient device predicts and prevents the formation of condensation, frost, and ice on any surface.

2007
Personnel Beacon/Locator for Mine Workers
Joseph Hollmann, Spectral Biopsy, Kansas City, MO
Using ultrasonics and spread spectrum signaling, the PBL will help locate a trapped miner to within 10 feet.

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY CATEGORY

2008
Efficient Air Conditioner
Lindsay Meek, Perth, Australia
Meek’s design reduces power consumption 30% by replacing the traditional reciprocating compressor with a permanent magnet motor coupled to a scroll compressor.

2007
LEDTRICITY™
Ted Bristow, Creative Electric, Kailua Kona, HI
Combining unique wiring circuits and state-of-the-art components, the LEDRICITY system enables the use of extremely long, inexpensive wires to illuminate hundreds of thousands of LEDs.

TRANSPORTATION CATEGORY

2008
Movito Electric Scooter
Tai Chiem, Melbourne, Australia
Designed for traveling short distances in and around cities, this sleek, environmentally friendly scooter features an electric in-wheel motor.

2007
Internally Radiating Impulse Structure (IRIS) Engine
Corban Tillemann-Dick, Tendix LLC, Denver, CO
The IRIS design overcomes some of the shortcomings of modern engines and dramatically improves fuel efficiency by fundamentally changing the geometry of the combustion chamber.

FIRST-PRIZE WINNERS

2006
Grip Handle
Buck Albritton, Gear Max, Ashland, VA
This tool allows the user to carry heavier loads with a better grip, avoiding back injuries.

2005
Massive Yet Tiny (MYT) Engine
Raphial Morgado, Angel Labs, Acampo, CA
Compared to existing internal combustion engines, the MYT™ Engine promises to achieve 40 times higher power to weight ratio, low parts count, low maintenance, and low pollution.

2004
Enhanced Audio Communications for First Responders
Rick Kaufman, Etrema Products USA and Brian Smith, FeONIC PLC, United Kingdom
This audio system based on a patented sound reproduction device turns a safety helmet into an audio speaker, allowing first responders to more clearly hear any audio message delivered over the radio without earphones.

Eclock Eccentric Locking Fastener
Robert Flesher, Apogee Designs, Baltimore, MD
This invention can be used as a tamperproof fastener or where torque setting is critical. It incorporates a single-use torque-set feature, making tool calibration unnecessary.

2003
Hideaway Tailgate with Slip Hinge
John H. McDonald III, Hanover, PA
Space-saving design allows a pickup truck’s tailgate to slide in under the truck bed after opening, making it easier to reach items in the bed.

Self-Stabilizing Table
Nicholas Oxley, New York, NY
This table is designed to automatically adjust to unpredictable floor conditions and rest in a perfectly stable state without wobbling.

2002
Air Inversion Fan
Charles Weber, Onalaska, WI
The Air Inversion Fan circulates cool air from the floor and redistributes it at chest level, resulting in a more even temperature and energy savings compared to traditional fans.

Vehicle Undercarriage Search System
Robert H. Frantz, Franklin Grey Patents, Oklahoma City, OK
The rapidly deployable, portable system uses a row of electronic cameras housed in a speed bump to detect explosives, contraband, weapons, and personnel concealed beneath vehicles.

Press & Blogs

If you blog about the contest or entries and send us the link, we'll post it here with a link to your blog. E-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

July 9, 2010

3 Green Tech Designs That Could Change The World
http://crispgreen.com/2010/07/3-green-tech-designs-that-could-change-the-world/

June 15, 2010

Our economy needs your help – here is how!
http://alonc.blogspot.com/2010/06/our-economy-needs-your-help-here-is-how.html

June 11, 2010

4 Eco Inventions Designed to Make Life Easier
http://biofriendly.com/blog/eco/eco-inventions/

June 2, 2010

Bio-Friendly Designs Create the Future
http://biofriendly.com/blog/biofriendly/bio-friendly-designs-create-the-future

May 24, 2010

2010 Create the Future Design Contest
http://indiainvents.blogspot.com/2010/05/2010-create-future-design-contest.html

May 4, 2010

Tech Briefs – Create the Future Design Contest 2010 – Make your dreams come true!
http://dancrissco.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/tech-briefs-create-the-future-design-contest-2010-make-your-dreams-come-true