Invention

University of Texas Develops Wearable Fabric With Battery Power To Charge Your Gadgets

by Amanda Hinski

Scientists from the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a way to make fabric using carbon nanotubes and boron/magnesium powder that will generate battery power to charge your electronics. No more plugging your iPhone into the wall; charging your gadgets could be as easy as wearing a T-shirt.

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Crayola 3D Chalk Brings Sidewalk Drawings To Life

by Kim Patterson

Toys have become pretty high tech in recent years, but there are some kids items that I wouldn’t have imagined could be taken to another level. Apparently I was wrong. Even the basic toys are not so basic anymore. Crayola has come out with 3D Sidewalk Chalk for kids to create more realistic sidewalk drawings.

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Monowalker Hiking Trailer Takes Your Gear Off Your Back

by Chris Weiss

Backpacking is no longer backpacking with the Monowalker Hiking Trailer.

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Biowashball Cleans Your Laundry Without Detergent

by Kim Patterson

Some people are really into that laundry detergent smell. When you really consider it though, is that ‘fresh’ scent any better than clothes that are just plain clean? The Biowashball offers a greener alternative to the traditional laundry washing routine.

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Starting Early: Inventor Gets His First Patent At 15

by Myra Per-Lee

Thirteen when he applied for his first patent, Kansan Zachary Smith just received it at the age of 15. His invention? A sports chair that comes with its own blanket and carrying case that apparently no one had thought of before. Now, with patent in hand, Smith is looking to make the most of it.

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Innovative Water Turbine Inspired by Sharks

by Amanda Hinski

A double-blade, basking shark inspired, water turbine developed by Anthony Reale, former product-design student, promises to increase turbine efficiency by 40%. Follow Reale's progress as he goes from undergrad student to ground breaking innovator.

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Soap Flakes Eliminate Slippery Bar Soap Problems

by Kim Patterson

Why did bar soap fall so far out of favor when it was once the king of the shower? It is likely because bars can be slippery and awkward and no one wants to use them once they get worn down to the cracked and crumbly little nubs. Soap Flakes, a design by Nathalie Stampfli, is a bar soap grater that seems to solve the old problems of using hard soap.

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MixerMate Gives Your Hand Mixer Tornado Power

by Kim Patterson

The funnel shape of the MixerMate is meant to speed mixing/whipping time with a “tornado-like action”. The website says that mixing time can be reduced by up to 30 percent using this bowl. The bowl is made to be used with a hand mixer and will not only cut down mixing time, but will also reduce or prevent mess.

Liquid Gold: The Towa Watering Can Uses Urine As Fertilizer

by Amanda Hinski

Swedish start-up company, Guldkannan, presents their chemical-free alternative to store-bought fertilizers: urine. With the use of their "Towa," a urine watering can, you can enjoy a comfortable chamber pot, storage bin for your urine, as well as a pouring device for your homemade "liquid gold" all in one convenient device.

Jesus Tablet: Savior Of The News Industry? Or In Need Of A Resurrection?

Jesus Tablet: Savior Of The News Industry? Or In Need Of A Resurection?

by Ron Callari

Euphemistically called the "Jesus Tablet," Apple's iPad seemed to be the answer to ever newspaper man's dream, including Rupert Murdoch's. It was the first portable device with a large enough screen to make computing and reading convenient and expeditious. Apple finally produced a product that out-did the Kindle. Why wouldn't people pay for newspaper and magazine subscriptions with a tablet that was so handy?

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Smartfish ErgoMotion™ Mouse & Keyboard: It's The Motion, Stupid!

by Myra Per-Lee

Stupid. That's what you say to yourself when you read about Smartfish's patented ErgoMotion technology. Then you say, 'Of course! It's so obvious that for designs to be really ergonomic, they have to move with your body.

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Paper Feet: The Upcycled "Foot Condom" by Jimmy Tomczak

by Amanda Hinski

Jimmy Tomczak decided he loved going barefoot but wanted protection from the elements, and thus, "Paper Feet," were born. Made from old billboards, these upcycled "foot condoms," as he refers to them, are green, trendy, and lightweight.

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Bringing Your Inventions to Market in 2011!

by Product For Profit

Today I'd like to discuss the topic of Taking Action and bringing your inventions to market in 2011! I have been in contact with many inventors over the last year and it has been a wonderful experience. However, I've noticed patterns in that many of you start moving toward your goals of bringing your inventions to market, and then somehow get stuck along the way.

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Squawk-Activated Computer Games For Parrots: Robots Provide Treats

by Lady Bee

Nothing surprises me about parrots. They are the most uncanny, confounded creatures that ever brought endless joy, humor, and destruction to a home. Very smart, very demanding, and very active, you need to keep them very busy, or they find a way to keep themselves busy... You want to avoid the latter.

High Hopes For Anti-Addiction Vaccine

by T Goodman

Thus far, vaccine technology has not been up to thwarting the effects of highly addictive drugs like cocaine. But a study, pre-published online yesterday in Molecular Therapy, suggests that an anti-addiction vaccine may soon be on its way.

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Will Quora, Social Media's New Shiny Thing Exist On A Quorum Of Users?

by Ron Callari

Well, we're already a few days into the new year, and the tech-savvy early adopters are already hailing the new shiny thing. While Quora's user base had only scaled to 55,000+ this past Fall, in late December it took a noticeable bump in followers with the help - some say - as the result of testimonials from uberblogger Robert Scoble and others. But is the new, slick social network for everyone?

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Migraine Magic Plus Massages Away Eye Tension

by Kim Patterson

Migraines aren’t like any old headache; they can be quite debilitating and if you get them frequently it can be hard to plan anything ahead of time. As someone who has gone through periods of frequent attacks, I am always interested in products that say that they offer migraine relief, especially if they are medication-free. The Migraine Magic Plus is one such device.

2010's Disruptive Technologies At Odds: Ipad vs WikiLeaks

by Ron Callari

The game-changing technology of the iPad and WikiLeaks fast became part of the world zeitgeist this year. Under normal circumstances disruptive technology is a stand-alone innovation setting a new path for technology that went before. If iPad disrupted the laptop and eReader industries, and WikiLeaks was a political game-changer in the world of journalism - how did they cross paths to motivate one to reject the other?

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Boon's Glo Nightlight Is Part Toy, Part Soothing Light Source

by Kim Patterson

For parents of babies and toddlers, there is not much better than an infant product that can multi-task. When you have a house full of baby gear it is great to find an item that serves more than one purpose. Boon’s Glo Nightlight, which is set to hit the market in the spring of 2011, is a toy and soothing light source in one.

Ditch The Old TV Trays: Picnicc Offers A Better Way

by Kim Patterson

Having a big group of family and friends over for a feast can be a great way to enjoy the season (and clear out some of the holiday leftovers). Unfortunately, a lack of space leaves guests to balance plates precariously in their laps while also trying to hold onto a drink and use their cutlery. The Picnicc tray from Uutensil solves this problem.