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10 significant innovations nominated in INDEX: AWARD 2015
photo: halfrain /Flickr/
#1 VENTUM
„Being able to have an active life with freedom of movement is something that should be everyone’s right—regardless of the need for life support equipment. To simplify treatment and therefore increase quality of life for both child and parents. Ventum gives children with breathing difficulties the freedom to live, laugh and play with a compact respirator in the form of a backpack.” [Simon Fredriksson, designer]
photo: core77designawards.com
video: https://goo.gl/k9aJkw
Why it matters
Ventum gives meaningful freedom of movement to children tethered to breathing - assistance equipment.
#2 THE SILK LEAF
In a period where global carbon emission and urbanization are growing exponentially the need for creating sustainable solutions for the indoor and outdoor urban environment arise. Inspired by natural mechanisms and physical phenomena, Julian Melchiorri conducted laboratory experimentation in order to explore the potential for making devices that photosynthesize and their possible applications. Silk Leaf is the first outcome of this exploration path.
photo: julianmelchiorri.com
video: https://goo.gl/fXZbDS
Why it matters
The Silk Leaf could extend the duration of space travel, but also has great potential to improve the air quality on Earth in our urban areas.
#3 DESOLENATOR
This technology uses only solar power to purify water from any source, including sea water, removing 99.9% of contaminants; which is especially critical in regions where natural groundwater reserves have been polluted or poisoned - or where seawater is the only water source available. The Desolenator could end one of the world’s biggest challenges by turning sunshine into fresh water. Available in October 2015.
photo: designtoimprovelife.dk
video: https://goo.gl/GTw4nE
Why it matters
It’s anticipated that by 2030 half of the world’s population will live in water stress, according to the United Nations.
#4 PROJECT LITERACY
Imagine not being able to fill out a form at the hospital, vote in an election, take the right bus, or send a text message because you aren’t able to read - that’s the reality for millions of people all over the world. It is a global problem, stretching from the USA to Uganda, from Europe to Cambodia and everywhere in-between. Project Literacy aims to change this through bringing together a diverse and global cross-section of people and organisations.
photo: Wikipedia
video: http://goo.gl/IV2JVk
Why it matters
According to UNESCO, there are 781 million illiterate adults in the world and 64% of them are women.
#5 FOLDOSCOPE
Foldscope is an origami-based print-and-fold optical microscope that can be assembled from a flat sheet of paper. Although it costs less than a dollar in parts, it can provide over 2,000X magnification, requires no external power. With the wide distribution of this tool, people can be easily tested and diagnosed for treatment instead of traveling long distances or waiting months to see a medical practitioner.
photo: designtoimprovelife.dk
video: https://goo.gl/Lk9HRy
Why it matters
The device not only saves lives, but provides a real hands-on science education to a number of maginalised groups.
#6 TESLA POWERWALL
The Tesla Powerwall is a rechargeable battery that aims to revolutionise energy generation, smooth out energy consumption and allow users to cut down on their energy bills, as well as their carbon footprint. The solar-powered, lithium-ion batteries will allow owners to store energy generated during the day and use it at night, allowing them to avoid buying electricity from utility providers in the evenings at peak rates. The home batteries will be compact, easy to install, as well as maintain. photo: thegadgetflow.com
video: https://goo.gl/DYU9r6
Why it matters
One of the biggest global challenges is moving the world’s power production to sources of renewable energy.
#7 PEEK RETINA
Four out of five people who are blind do not need to be, they are simply visually impaired because they did not receive treatment for diseases that are easily curable. Bringing professional eye care to remote areas without compromising quality, Peek Retina is a part of the Peek portable eye examination kit that uses apps and a simple adapter to allow almost anyone to perform high quality eye examinations. Simply fix the adapter over the smart phone camera, point, and shoot. photo: designtoimprovelife.dk
video: https://goo.gl/TYzzUI
Why it matters
According to the WHO, there are currently 285 million visually impaired people in the world.
#8 BRCK
Internet access in a number of major cities like Nairobi or New Delhi – not to mention the surrounding areas – still remains scarce or unreliable. The BRCK was developed to go where no other Internet can go – where electricity and internet connections are problematic both in urban and rural areas. Designed to survive any weather, the BRCK works in over 140 countries via satellite connection. It has enough backup power to survive a blackout and can be charged like a regular device, as well as from a solar panel or a car battery. photo: fastcoexist.com
video: https://goo.gl/swtWfu
Why it matters
In this information age, having access to the Internet is essential not only for the working population, but for the healthy development of education.
#9 THE OCEAN CLEANUP
Plastic in the oceans has become one of the world’s biggest pollution problems, killing hundreds of birds, fish and other marine life every day. The Ocean Cleanup develops technologies to extract, prevent, and intercept plastic pollution. The Ocean Cleanup’s goal is to fuel the world’s fight against oceanic plastic pollution by initiating the largest cleanup in history. It is the first system to passively clean up plastic pollution from the world’s oceans.
photo: theoceancleanup.com
video: https://goo.gl/z0Bqif
Why it matters
Eight million tons of plastic is thrown into the oceans every year, and in the coming years it’s expected that this will accelerate significantly.
#10 SHOWER OF THE FUTURE
Showers are one of the biggest contributors to our overall domestic water consumption. With The Shower of the Future, users can be environmentally friendly without compromising their long, hot showers. Imitating the same technology used onboard spacecraft, the shower works on a closed-loop system that requires only five litres of water – about a tenth of what traditional showers use. The shower also saves over 80% in energy consumption.
photo: showerofthefuture.com
video: https://goo.gl/CKg6ka
Why it matters
Once initially used,the ‘waste’ water is collected from the drain, purified, and then recycled back into the in-flow tank.
