JAMIE LINK - University of California, San Diego 

Invention: Optically Encoded Porous Silicon Particles

Link is a doctoral student in chemistry. She began a research project that investigated tiny sensors known as smart dust.  She performs chemistry on the surface of the microscopic sensors and can cause them to be a particular color—for example, red. Then, the sensors can actually detect whatever substance Link has programmed them to detect, such as a toxin.  As they find the toxin, the tiny sensors all align the same way, and collectively, the microscopic markers join together as a red spot to point out the toxic pollutant.

KEITH AUBIN, ROBERT REICHENBACH, AND MAXIM ZALALUTDINOV - Cornell University

Invention: Dome Shaped Micromechanical Oscillator for Telecommunications

The ever-increasing drive to make electronic circuits smaller and smaller is increasingly frustrated by certain types of components that refuse to shrink. These students found a solution by building a novel type of micromechanical oscillator:  one shaped like a dome.  Their oscillator resonates like a bell in response to light or heat.  The dome is tiny and can be built on a chip.  That makes it perfect for a wide range of electronic applications, especially in the field of telecommunications.   Microscopic domes could replace many of the largest, most expensive parts contained in cells phones, among other devices.

RONGCHAO JIN, YUNWEI CAO, AND GABRIELLA METREAUX - Northwestern University 

Invention: Light-induced Synthesis of Silver Nanoprisms

The trio uses light to try and control the shape of silver nanoprisms.  By amending the size and structure of the tiny particles with light, they produce a product with intense optical properties—nanoparticles of different bright colors that could be used for biological labeling, inks, specialized films, and cosmetics, just to name a few applications. 

COLLETTE SHEN - Harvard University 

Invention: Novel Method to Produce Insulin-secreting cells

Shen knew that patients with type I diabetes must receive insulin everyday because their pancreas fails to produce it. Her goal became to create a way for stem cells to release insulin in a completely synthetic environment and then be transplanted into the body to provide a permanent source of insulin. Taking stem cells from the adult rat liver, she inserted them into a growth medium that was essentially a three-dimensional scaffold.  Then, she stimulated the scaffold with different growth factors, and the cells produced structures similar to those in a healthy pancreas. 

DEBORAH LOXAM-KOHL - Alberta College of Art & Design

Invention: 3-D Form Felting Machine

Although industrial flat felting machines exist, Loxam-Kohl was motivated to develop a method to produce a three-dimensional felted object directly from raw materials, with no further processing and with an automated agitation process.