IdeaBuyer Favorite Inventions of 2008

Of the several patents filed in 2008, the following 10 are our favorites! Some because they have been recognized as having the most potential for changing the world and others because they are cool.

1. Diamond Kidney Dialysis

For people dealing with kidney failure, this new method of removing toxic chemicals from the blood could be a lifesaver. Most patients facing kidney failure have the option of organ transplantation or dialysis. Unfortunately, with a shortage of donors, and complications with current dialysis filters, treatments are severely limited.

This new method of filtration is claimed to more closely reproduce the filtration function of the kidney, in its ability to filter proteins. William Fissell at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, with help from colleagues at the University of Michigan, designed the filtration system to be potentially implanted within the body. Made from several layers of nanoporous diamonds, each layer will only filter a specific protein size, removing what needs to be removed and keeping what the body needs to keep.

2. Muskrat Feces Antibiotic – Weird!

An antibiotic with the capability of killing the Salmonella bacteria, the cause of most food poisoning cases, has been found in Muskrat faeces by Ki Keun Kim and colleagues at Pusan National University in South Korea. Found to also be effective against Staphylococcus (commonly referred to as a Staph infection) and termites, the compound is extracted through drying the faeces and using an organic solvent.

The gross factor doesn’t change the fact that it kills the bacteria that can kill us!

3. Hurricane Suppression through Supersonic Boom

From the University of Akron in Ohio, Arkadii Leonov has patented a method “sufficient to suppress, mitigate and/ or destroy a typical sized hurricane/typhoon”. The patent application claims, all that is needed are two F-4 jet fighters flying at Mach 1.5. The jets fly in concentric circles around the eye of the hurricane, calming the area the hurricane is rotating around.

4. Bionic Contacts

Scientists are currently working on the contact lens, everyone will want, even those without vision problems. A digital contact, capable of zooming on distant object and displaying information about the object, has become a reality. Engineers have been able to install an electronic circuit and lights on a regular contact lens, proving it possible to build a SAFE electronic lens.

For all of us that have dreamt about being terminator for a day… it’s not too far-fetched anymore!

5. Pollutant Killing Sidewalk

The latest weapon in the fight against pollution is TX Active, cement with a chemical composition capable of neutralizing pollutants. Sunlight activates the main ingredient, titanium dioxide, oxidizing any pollutants that come into contact with the cement. While it seems like a great idea, some scientists are not as optimistic about the products potential, explaining that this is not a cure for pollution.

6. Enhanced Fingerprints

A way to analyze fingerprints off a gun after it has been cleaned, discovered by English physicist, John Bond, is already being used by police to re-open some cases. Because sweat corrodes metal, a fingerprint pattern can be revealed when an electric charge and fine carbon powder are applied.

7. Flying Wind Power

Higher elevation, higher wind speed. But building a taller wind turbine to get to the stronger wind is no longer necessary. Sky Windpower, Laddermill and Magenn are all companies working toward flying the windmill! If these flying wind turbines can harvest just 1% of the jet streams wind power, demand for power in the US would be supplied.

8. The Touch-Sight Camera

Chueh Lee, while working for Samsung China, designed the world’s first camera for the blind. The easy-to-use digital camera does not have an LCD, rather a flexible Braille display sheet allowing the user to touch their photo. Not only does this camera display a 3D embossed image, it also records sound for three seconds after the shutter button is pressed. When reviewing previously taken pictures, users are able to reference the sound for a better understanding of their picture. Research concluded that for stability and accurate aim, the forehead was the best placement. All the user has to do is place the camera on his/her forehead and click!

9. New tools for Spies?

Michael Yu at John Hopkins University and colleagues have made a rubbery-plastic-based material that allows for piezoelectric devices (microphones and speakers) to be put in previously impractical places. Flexibility for piezoelectric devices used to be extremely difficult. Adding silicone to the rubber material solves this problem. The group is looking at applications such as wallpaper speakers, and foldable speakers.

10. Cost Efficient Solar Power!

Nanosolar has set the standard for cost efficient solar power with their thin-film solar panels. Bulky silicon panels are a thing of the past. The technology used in the manufacturing process of the thin-film is the crucial component that makes Nanosolar able to produce 100x thinner solar cells 100x faster.
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About the author of this article:

Lindsey Yeauger is the Product Marketing Director for Idea Buyer LLC, a new product development company that owns and operates IdeaBuyer.com- The Online Marketplace for Intellectual Property. The site gives inventors the opportunity to showcase their intellectual property to consumer product companies, entrepreneurs, retailers, and manufacturers. You can email her at Lindsey@IdeaBuyer.com.

Did you know? Fun Facts about some of History’s Greatest Inventions.

Superglue or Krazy Glue was originally rejected by its discoverer, Dr. Harry Coover, in 1942 for being “too sticky”. Coover realized the usefulness for the material in 1958.

Hippocrates, also known as the father of modern medicine, lived sometime between 460 B.C. and 377 B.C. and left behind historical records of treatments for relieving pain. He believed that a powder made from the bark and leaves of a willow tree could heal headaches, pain and fevers. Scientists later discovered that the compound salicin, found in willow plants, was the reason for the pain relief.

The first patent for a bar code, issued to Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver in 1952, was intended as a solution for automatic reading of product information during checkout. The solution was a series of concentric circles, not the series of parallel lines we know today.

The bikini bathing suit was named after the site of atomic bomb testing, the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Its inventors, Jacques Heim and Louis Reard referred to it as “The world’s smallest bathing suit.”

Ancient Greeks, Ancient Mayans, North American Indians, and American Settlers all had their own form of what we now know as chewing gum. William Finley Semple was the first to patent a chewing gum in 1869. In 1871, Thomas Adams patented a machine with the ability to manufacture the confection. Frank Henry Fleer was the first to invent “bubble gum” in 1906. He called it Blibber- Blubber, later to become Double Bubble.

Created by a pharmacist from Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. John Pemberton in 1886, the original formula Coca Cola contained extracts of cocaine and kola nut.

Marvin Stone patented a spiral winding process for manufacturing the first paper drinking straws, in 1888. Before paper straws, rye grass straws were used for drinking beverages.

Grammar school dropout, Chester Greenwood, invented earmuffs in 1873 at the age of 15. While testing a new pair of ice skates, he became irritated with trying to protect his ears from the cold using a scarf.

Barely visible marks left when contact was made between a person’s hand and a surface, known as fingerprints, were first observed in the 19th century. Letters by Henry Faulds and William James Herschel were published in the British scientific journal describing the uniqueness of fingerprints, in 1880.

In 1899, the first police car was used in Akron, Ohio. Police cars became the basis of police transportation in the 20th century.

Harry Wasylyk invented the green plastics garbage bag, made from polyethylene, in 1950. Originally intended for commercial use, Union Carbide manufactured the first green garbage bags for home use in the 1960’s, under the name Glad Garbage bags.

Albert J. Parkhouse created a coat hanger in 1903, inspired by a clothes hook patented in 1869 by O. A. North. Parkhouse bent a piece of wire into two ovals and twisted the ends together to form a hook. Thomas Jefferson invented the early wooden coat hanger.

Although it is not known who invented the first ice cube tray, John Gorrie, an American physician, built a refrigerator in 1844, to make ice in order to cool the air for his patients with yellow fever. It is speculated that Gorrie may have also created the ice cube tray because it has been documented that his patients received iced drinks.

In 1920, Joe Cartledge the Owner and founder of the Guelph Elastic Hosiery Company invented the first jock strap or athletic supporter. The jock strap was marketed under the name Protex.

While having a drink in a pub in England, post World War II, Craven Walker noticed a fascinating lamp made of a cocktail shaker. Walker purchased the lamp, determined to make a better version. With negative initial reactions from retail merchants, the “Psychedelic Movement” made the Lava Lamp’s popularity soar.

“…starts from nothing, grows possibly a little bit feminine, then a little bit masculine, then breaks up and has children. It’s a sexy thing.” - Craven Walker

A new T-shirt designed by EU researchers could assist athlethes with the ability to improve their performance and prevent injury. As part of the ConText Project, a project with the mission of producing clothing to measure electrophysiological activity from the body, this shirt can send muscle movement information to a computer using sensors.

These disc-shaped sensors are 12 millimeters wide constructed of three conductive layers. Two layers are made of knitted polyamide fabric and silver-coated thread printed onto it just as a logo would be printed onto a shirt. These layers are the shield and the sensor. The third layer is made of polyurethane for insulation.

Sensors measure the electrical activity produced from muscle contractions. The electrical field created by this movement generates a small charge built up in the sensor, as muscles contract. The signal is then amplified by a circuit board and sent to a computer wirelessly. The results can then be analyzed.

One concern with these sensors was that there would be interference from other waves such as radio signals, or interference caused from a shirt. However, attaching these sensors directly to skin makes natural performance more difficult. This new prototype will eliminate that problem.

“The sensor can even measure the [muscles’] electric field through another T-shirt—it’s very unobtrusive,” says Torsten Linz, researcher from Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration and team member.

This is possible because the sensors pick up the electric displacement current using a capacitive coupling to the body. This means there is a transfer of energy through measuring the amount of electric charge stored or separated. As a result, the sensor shirt can be worn over clothing instead of being applied directly to the skin with liquid gel.

The prototype for the body-sensing shirt was tested on hockey players. From the sensors, the players were able to see how they were using their various muscles and how to adjust their movements for accuracy.

It could also be useful for other sports such as tennis and golf that require repetitive movements. The computer would show athletes exactly which muscles they were using for each specific movement. Players could improve on their techniques and modify how they use their strength to further improve their performance.

Eventually, the device could also be used in training to help prevent athletes from straining muscles, therefore preventing injury. The computer could display of muscles that are being used and overworked, allowing athletes to adjust motions to enhance performance quality.

Sarah Crowell is a staff writer for Idea Buyer LLC, a new product development company that owns and operates IdeaBuyer.com- The Online Marketplace for Intellectual Property. The site gives inventors the opportunity to showcase their intellectual property to consumer product companies, entrepreneurs, retailers, and manufacturers. Edited by Lindsey Yeauger, Director of Communication, Idea Buyer LLC.

Earl Bennett of GT Seat Belt Extenders

Persistence, patience, and perspiration have paid off for long-time inventor, Earl Bennett in the form of his latest product, the GT Seat Belt Extender.

Bennett says his inspiration for inventing comes from Willy Wonka. “Wonka said inventing is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple. That’s 105% my way of thinking”.

After years of tinkering and inventing, Bennett has produced a product with mass appeal that is moving off the shelves - a seat belt extender. Bennett solved the problems that other similar products were having and built the first prototype in 2004.

Bennett’s seat belt extender initially caught the attention of an entrepreneur who backed the original order that is now being distributed through KOI Automotive, as well as directly to consumers on gtseatbeltextender.com.

While the product’s original purpose was to eliminate size and shape discrimination of people, it has caught the attention of police officers and firefighters who have began buying them by the case. These professionals are a large contribution to the already 70,000 in circulation.

The high response KOI has received about Bennett’s product has forced the company to hire a full-time employee to focus solely on the GT Seat Belt Extender.

With another order for 40,000 units in place, Bennett’s infomercial below has begun airing on Spike TV and Lifetime Television in test markets in preparation for national airing.

Click Play to view the commercial:

Sales are expected at more than 10 million units next year, leaving Bennett with a pleasing return well over 100%.However, Bennett doesn’t plan on stopping. “Right now I’m publishing a book - The Legend of Bucky the Beaver. It’s an inspirational book for children that teaches them never to give up.”Bennett’s advice for inventors is the same as it is for children in his new book, “If you have something that you believe in, then take it all the way.”

You can order a seat belt extender at gtseatbeltextender.com. Investors are also encouraged to contact Bennett if they are interested in future projects.

His contact information is available upon written request to info@ideabuyer.com.

Written by Lindsey Yeauger, Director of Communications, Idea Buyer, LLC.
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America is often called the land of opportunity. Work hard and play by the rules, we hear, and you can lay claim to all that you have produced. It is the reason people risk death and imprisonment to set foot on American soil year after year. However, this magnificent legacy of freedom, justice, and achievement is under attack by Republican senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama. At the behest of a powerful lobbying group called the Financial Services Roundtable, Sessions is pushing an amendment through the Senate that would set a terrifying precedent for the protection of intellectual property rights.

The amendment centers around a company called DataTreasury, the creators of a patented system of digitally scanning, sending, and archiving checks. DataTreasury’s technology is used by most of the major financial institutions in the United States. However, many of those banks are infringing on DataTreasury’s patent by using their technology without paying royalties to do so. And although the United States Patent and Trademark Office upheld the patent when it was challenged last summer, Sessions’ amendment would prevent DataTreasury from collecting the royalties it is owed. According to the Washington Post:

“The provision, passed without dissent by the Senate Judiciary Committee in July and inserted into legislation scheduled for a vote by the full Senate this month, is a rare attempt by Congress to intervene in ongoing litigation, congressional experts say.

Although the amendment would not invalidate DataTreasury’s patents, it would spare the banks from paying for infringing them should courts decide that’s warranted. If DataTreasury collected a royalty of just a couple pennies per check, the cost would run into billions of dollars.”

SRC: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021303731_pf.html

Such an amendment would relegate DataTreasury’s patents to figureheads, stripping them of the rights our courts are sworn to protect. It all started when the Financial Services Roundtable mobilized their lobbying efforts, agitating for patent reform that would spare them from having to pay the royalties they owe. Of course, the lobbyists did not explicitly name this as their purpose. Instead, they cloaked their support for patent reform in the guise of “protecting banking institutions complying with post-9/11 security requirements from the abusive practices of patent trolling trial lawyers seeking personal enrichment, which ultimately will be paid for by checking account customers across America.” The amendment was approved by the committee within minutes and was given next to no attention by major media outlets.

The unvarnished truth, however, is that the financial industry is using its immense lobbying muscle and the entrenched culture of political corruption to avoid paying what it owes. Their concern is not bank customers, but the hit their own wallets would take. Tragically, it looks as though this amendment will pass and this horrifying degradation of property rights will become law. But how is this possible? How could such a travesty of justice take place in a nation founded on the rights to life, liberty, and property? The answer lies in the world of literature, in a work that has inspired millions of businessmen since its release.

In the watershed novel Atlas Shrugged, readers were introduced to Hank Rearden. A hardworking, self-made steel magnate who fought intransigently against tyrannical government invention in his affairs, Rearden symbolized a productive genius being exploited by lesser minds. Readers also meet Jim Taggart, the inept and corrupt railroad executive who operates by means of pull and government favors. At the behest of Taggart and his cronies, Rearden is brought to trial by the Bureau of Economic Planning and National Resources. His crime: selling his own product without government permission. The events leading up to Rearden’s trial are frighteningly parallel to DataTreasury’s predicament.

In bringing Rearden to trial, Taggart and his hoodlums appeal to “the public good” and “the national welfare” as reasons to limit Rearden’s profits. The justifications given for the limiting of DataTreasury’s patent royalties are similar. “This is a glaring example of the abuse of the system,” said former congressman Steve Bartlett (R-Tex.), president of the Financial Services Roundtable. But the goal of Sessions and Bartlett (the “Jim Taggarts” of this case) is not the sanctity of patent law – it is the attempt to subvert justice by means of intellectual dishonesty and political favoritism.

The Financial Services Roundtable has accused DataTreasury of being a patent troll who bought up patents with the intent to shakedown the financial industry. But the truth is that DataTreasury is a real-life Hank Rearden. From the same article:

[DataTreasury founder] Ballard asserts that he developed the basic architecture for the system in the mid-1990s, and applied for patents in 1997 and ‘98. He said he realized at the time that paper would one day be obsolete for financial transactions but that paper and electronic images would have to coexist for a while. His system helped make that possible, he said.

Like Rearden, Ballard put his time and energy into the creation of a valuable product – and, like Rearden, a pack of corrupt competitors is conspiring to ensure that he never receives his just rewards.

Heroically, Rearden defeats his enemies. In a courtroom of his peers, he exposes the poverty of his attackers and their empty claim to be fighting for a noble purpose. Can DataTreasury do the same? Only time will tell, but its best hope for victory is to assert its rightful claims as Rearden did: openly, proudly, and without guilt. Nothing less will expose the moral bankruptcy of Sessions and these modern-day Jim Taggarts – and nothing less will secure the glorious tradition of property rights for future generations.

“I shall answer all the questions you are afraid to ask me openly. Do I wish to pay my workers more than their services are worth to me? I do not. Do I wish to sell my product for less than my customers are willing to pay me? I do not. Do I wish to sell it at a loss or give it away? I do not. If this is evil, do whatever you please about me, according to whatever standards you hold. These are mine. I am earning my own living, as every honest man must. I refuse to accept as guilt the fact of my own existence and the fact that I must work in order to support it. I refuse to accept as guilt the fact that I am able to do it better than most people - the fact that my work is of greater value than the work of my neighbors and that more men are willing to pay me. I refuse to apologize for my ability - I refuse to apologize for my success - I refuse to apologize for my money. If this is evil, make the most of it. If this is what the public finds harmful to its interests, let the public destroy me. This is my code - and I will accept no other.”

Eric Corl is the Founder and CEO of IdeaBuyer.com, the new technology and product marketplace where intellectual property is bought and licensed. You can email him at EricCorl@IdeaBuyer.com.

Ethanol, the long-time front-runner among gasoline alternatives, might have to step aside for a new technology from British energy company BP. As early as this spring, gasoline stations in Britain could begin offering butanol, an easily transportable and more energy-efficient substitute to ethanol. It will be distributed as part of a trial period that will determine public response to the new fuel and its marketability.

The process by which butanol is created is very similar to that of ethanol. “[It] is a type of alcohol that’s made by fermenting sugars with microbes, such as bacteria or yeast,” said Popular Science magazine. “Most ethanol is produced from corn, wheat and sugarcane.” It’s important to note the similarities between the two, but the differences are what make butanol a more plausible fuel alternative.

Butanol is a more viable energy source than ethanol in part because of its superior energy density. Philip New, president of BP Biofuels, explains that ethanol only provides about two-thirds the energy density of gasoline compared to the upper 80 percent that butanol provides. This means that one gallon of butanol will provide only 10-15 percent less energy than one gallon of gasoline – a huge achievement in a world that isn’t quick to sacrifice performance for a cleaner environment.

Another considerable benefit is the easy storage of butanol. “It isn’t as corrosive [as ethanol], so we don’t have issues with it at higher concentrations beginning to eat at aluminum or polymer components in fuel systems and dispensing systems,” New said. The inability to store a volatile substance could easily affect its practicality as a gasoline replacement.

Additionally, butanol can be transported using existing gasoline pipes. Water gets in pipes with any fuel system; gasoline and butanol allow the water to settle out of the bottom. Ethanol, however, mixes with the water, causing potential problems with the integrity of the final product. New said the big problem, though, is that if the same fuel line used to transport ethanol is then used for aviation fuel, there is the potential of water contamination of the aviation fuel, which could be a very serious problem.

Although butanol has many advantages over the more commonly known ethanol, it is not flawless. According to Popular Science, butanol is far less-efficient to make than ethanol largely because it is more toxic to the microbes that ferment it. Because of this, every bushel of corn produces less than two percent butanol in comparison to 12 percent ethanol.

This variation in the amount of fuel yielded is bringing the affordability of butanol into question. The less butanol extracted from a particular feedstock, the more resources required to produce a certain quantity of butanol. Technology Review said ethanol relies heavily on government subsidies and questions the affordability of butanol if they do not receive any. In response, New said he is unsure if butanol will need subsidies from the government. He thinks that it is important, however, to change the way subsidies are offered. “A transition away from subsidizing biofuels on the basis of volume towards subsidizing on the basis of energy content would represent a level playing field,” he said. “By subsidizing volume, you’re effectively supporting less-energy-efficient alternatives.” It is a valid point considering the high energy efficiency of butanol as compared to ethanol.

Steps, however, are being taken to improve butanol’s fermentation yields. BP has enlisted the help of chemical company DuPont to help engineer microbes that can better sustain themselves in the fermentation process. According to Popular Science, “John Ranieri, head of biofuels development for DuPont, [said] this will drastically improve butanol’s yield, clearing the way for what is potentially a much more useful fuel.”

Though the primary, short-term goal of butanol use is providing alternative fuel to the automotive industry, it is not limited to that. Boeing has teamed up with Virgin Green Fund, a sub-brand of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group conglomerate, to explore the use of alternative fuels, including butanol blends, in aviation, said Popular Science. With increased efficiency through the work of DuPont, there are better chances that butanol use in aviation could become a reality.

Butanol and ethanol both have significant potential as permanent alternatives to gasoline. Although ethanol has provided an excellent renewable source of energy, butanol promises to be a much more reasonable substitute. Its superiority in energy output far outweighs its issues with low yields from feedstock. Further, the collaboration between BP and DuPont will undoubtedly minimize its production problems. With improved efficiency, butanol might become an important player in the future of biofuel.

John Gerbich is the Staff Writer for IdeaBuyer.com, a marketplace for new technology and products that allows inventors to showcase their intellectual property to consumer product companies, entrepreneurs, retailers, and manufacturers. Visit the site by clicking here > Patents for Sale.

The solution to the bitter war between environmentalists and the logging industry might have finally been realized with a creative innovation from Canada-based Triton Logging Inc. Their new underwater saw capitalizes on the 45,000 forgotten forests that have been drowned through the damming of reservoirs to produce hydroelectric power all over the world.The saw, aptly named the Sawfish, is the first fully submersible saw that can dive up to 1,000 feet underwater, making it a valuable resource in the harvest of about 300 million trees that were previously unreachable. According to a feature on the Sawfish on NBC’s “Today” show, the device provides a ‘green’ alternative for Triton Logging to avoid the many common problems that come along with deforestation in conventional logging. These problems include acceleration of soil erosion, disruption of animal habitats and clear cutting of trees that absorb the carbon dioxide fueling global warming.

Not only does the Sawfish provide an environmentally friendly alternative to on-land clear cutting and deforestation, it does not harm the lake in which it is used. It never touches the bottom of the lake or disturbs the soil. Additionally, according to a “Fox News” report, water readings taken before and after a harvesting project have shown no elevated levels of toxins. This is vital in proving the environmental integrity of the product and its true contributions to the industry.

While the Sawfish’s environmental merits are extremely important, its creative operational elements also deserve discussion. Triton uses maps to determine the location of underwater forests to which they will bring the unmanned Sawfish. The Sawfish is then tethered to a barge from which an operator maneuvers the device. The saw is equipped with eight cameras and SONAR technology that allow the operator to effectively locate target trees.

The actual process of collecting the trees is relatively straightforward. “The remote-controlled Sawfish clamps onto a tree with its five-foot-long pincers, attaches inflatable airbags, and chews through the trunk in seconds with a 54-inch blade,” said Popular Science magazine. The attached airbags pull the logs to the surface for easy retrieval.

A legitimate concern for many interested in purchasing and using this new timber is the quality of the wood itself. Many of these trees have been underwater for decades and one would assume that there must be some amount of damage or decay in this timber. The truth is, said the “Today” show, that the combination of cold water and little oxygen exposure actually acts as a preservative. Aside from increased drying time before cutting, there is little difference between this wood and conventional wood.

Because of the obvious environmental advantages of using this timber, there looks to be a significant market for it. Despite its higher cost, the benefits outweigh the price for many people. Many “green” builders will undoubtedly want to incorporate it into their building plans; ecologically aware consumers will definitely appreciate the use of salvaged wood in homes they purchase. According to The Wall Street Journal, the wood will also be marketed as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional wood at home-improvement stores for those wishing to use it on an individual basis. Concerned consumers will without doubt feel more comfortable using wood they know came from a “green” source.

The market for these 300 million sunken trees will certainly be a significant one, with early profit estimates at around $50 billion. This is a remarkable number considering that these trees were almost unrecoverable and lost forever.

The ideals of lumber companies and environmental groups have begun to mesh with this new innovation from Triton Logging. With the days upon us of increased interest and concern with global warming and the way we treat our planet, a compromise has to be made. We need to realize what is in the true best interests of society as a whole and think more seriously about where we can make compromises that are agreeable to everyone. The introduction of environmentally friendly technology like the Sawfish is critical in these compromises.

John Gerbich is the Staff Writer for IdeaBuyer.com, a marketplace for new technology and products that allows inventors to showcase their intellectual property to consumer product companies, entrepreneurs, retailers, and manufacturers. Visit the site by clicking here > Patents for Sale.

It is no secret that unprotected, repeated overexposure to the sun will cause skin cancer. More than that, daily exposure to ultraviolet light will cause premature aging and wrinkles. Despite these undeniable facts, many people refuse to easily prevent these problems by following the simple routine of applying sunscreen when they go outdoors; people are constantly putting themselves at risk for serious health problems. With the introduction of an invention from Aquea Scientific, the daily application of sunscreen will be something that is already a part of your daily routine.

California-based research company Aquea Scientific’s flagship product, Aquea SPF, has taken off in the field of cosmeceuticals. This multi-patented creation blends, for the first time, the importance of applying sunscreen with the ease and necessity of taking a shower or washing your face. Through their ground-breaking product they have formulated a way to introduce their sunscreen formula into ordinary body wash, soap, shampoo and facial cleanser. According to the Aquea Web site, it is all-day protection ranging from SPF 2 to SPF 15+, depending on the formula.

Additionally, the introduction of Aquea SPF to soap, according to the Aquea Web site, does not reduce the lathering qualities or functionality of the original product. It does not leave the greasy or oily film that results from the use of many common sunscreens either. This makes the product not only more convenient, but more manageable than traditional sunscreens.

The secret to the functionality of this innovative technology lies in its creative formula and is as easy to understand as the attraction between negative and positive charges. According to a feature on the product in Popular Science Magazine, “Aquea Scientific encapsulates (Aquea SPF) in tiny silica shells and bombards them with protons, giving the silica a positive charge that helps it cling to negatively charged skin.” This positive/negative attraction allows the product to stay attached to the skin through washing and drying. The technology in this formula is referred to as “Wash-On” by Aquea. A visual representation of the science behind the formula’s function can be found on the Popular Science Web site.

Since Aquea does not manufacture soaps or shampoos, they must offer their product to a company that can use their Aquea SPF as an additive for efficient UV protection. The first company to do so was Freeze 24-7 for use in their Ice Shield facial cleanser, offering SPF 15 protection. Freeze has marketed their product highlighting the UVA anti-wrinkle and anti-aging properties of the Aquea technology.

Aquea SPF has been acknowledged as a significant development in the field of cosmeceuticals. With the initial introduction of the product in 2006, the company was recognized by Health and Beauty America and Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine with the Best New Technology award. That was a considerable achievement for a company if its size. “For Ventura’s Aquea Scientific, a private company with about 10 employees, taking the award was equivalent to a small independent film grabbing that Oscar,” said an article in the Ventura County Star newspaper. Further, Popular Science has included Aquea SPF in their Best of What’s New 2007 awards. They were recognized as the grand award winner in the personal health category.

The Wash-On technology used to attach sunscreen to the body through charged particles is not limited to the Aquea SPF sunscreen. It can be used for a variety of active ingredients that are inconvenient to apply regularly, including insect repellent, anti-aging products and anti-acne medications. According to the Wash-On technology Web site, plans are in the works to expand their offerings beyond sunscreen. The future of a Wash-On line of products is extremely promising.

Aquea SPF has been an exceptionally important advancement in cosmeceutical science. Aquea Scientific has employed creative innovation and science to produce a product that appeals to many people looking for quick, easy access to healthy living. The modern world’s obsession with convenience will undoubtedly drive the technology forward.

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Please do not redistribute or reproduce this article without written permission.

John Gerbich is the Staff Writer for IdeaBuyer.com, a marketplace for new technology and products that allows inventors to showcase their intellectual property to consumer product companies, entrepreneurs, retailers, and manufacturers. Visit the site by clicking here > Patents for Sale.

The year 2007 saw a number of groundbreaking inventions from many sectors. Medical technology, personal communication, sports safety, energy saving breakthroughs, and other gadgetry saw huge advances throughout the year. However, some inventions simply outshine the rest of the pack and deserve higher mention. In this article, we will examine the top 10 inventions of 2007 and what makes them a cut above the rest!

1) Air conditioner that controls “superbugs”

The Kunne air conditioning system is a tremendous breakthrough in climate control: the first ever AC that controls both heat and humidity! By controlling both of these elements, buildings such as hospitals can regulate the flow of viruses, mold, and germs in the air. This will, in theory, help prevent such buildings from becoming “sick buildings” where people get sick simply by working there or visiting. If the Kunne system becomes widespread, the days of catching “that bug that’s been going around” might become a thing if the past!

2) Electro Needle Biomedical Sensor Array

Tired of sticking needles into your flesh just to run a blood test? With the electro needle biomedical sensor array, this painstaking task might not be necessary for much longer. It is a small patch of a device that contains electro-chemically treated probes. When it gets applied to a patient’s skin, the probes perform an astonishingly accurate determination of chemical readings in the patent’s bloodstream without having to withdraw any actual blood. In this way, a patient’s electrolytes, toxins, carbohydrates, proteins, bacteria, and even viruses can be spotted without a single needle, all through this one patch. This patch could spell a whole new era in disease prevention, as those who refuse to get needle tests out of fear no longer have an excuse to avoid those annual checkups!

3) Diesel Exhaust Purification System

In these environmentally conscious times, it seems that everyone is looking for ways to protect the environment and lower pollution. This is exactly what Raymond Covit, a Los Angeles mechanic, did with his diesel exhaust purification system. This incredible invention forces diesel engines to re-breathe their own exhaust fumes, a drastic change from the engines of today which simply spew their fumes into the air we breathe. If Covit’s system catches on, we can expect a significant reduction in vehicle-based air pollution, not to mention those hideous black clouds we see pumping into the air during our morning commute. That’s something we can all be happy about!

4) Sports safety clothing that hardens on impact

The Dow Corning Active Protection System (named after its creator) is a new type of clothing material for athletes and bikers. The clothing is soft and flexible in the normal course of events, but contains a never-before-seen security feature: the clothes harden and become rigid upon any type of hard impact! This protects the wearer in the event of nasty falls and collisions, during which their clothes will protect any skin that is covered by them. Best of all, the material bounces back to its regular, flexible consistency after you are out of harm’s way and is completely washing machine safe. Anyone involved in extreme sports like skateboarding, BMX bikes, rock crawling, or rugby may soon find that these clothes are the standard apparel!

5) Organic light-emitting diode

Organic light-emitting diodes (or OLEDs) are said to have the potential to change the way we light our homes and design clothing. OLEDs are simply thin strips of plastic with the ability to conduct electricity and harness solar power for later use. The applications of this technology are virtually limitless, such as changing the color of clothing. Another novel use (no doubt suggested by the owner of a sports bar) is OLED strips on beer cans that display up-to-the-minute sports scores. The best part is that OLEDs are significantly more energy efficient than today’s light bulbs, paving the way for guilt-free innovation and lighting possibilities!

6) Steam-O-Lene Engine

Enraged over high gas prices and wasteful engines, Bruce Crower decided that it would be more productive to do something about it than complain about it. The result? The fascinating Steam-O-Lene engine that makes more efficient use of steam to squeeze more life out of every gas tank. While the typical engine wastes ¾ of its energy in the form of heart, Crower’s engine (a single-cylinder diesel with 8HP) uses that heat to create steam, thus recapturing some of that precious lost energy. It runs much the same way that conventional four-stroke combustion engines do, but just as the Steam-O-Lene finishes the fourth stroke, water is squirted into the 1,500 degree cylinder. This intense heat and the ensuing reaction of the water creates steam, which generates a 1,600-fold expansion in volume and drives a piston down to create some more power.

The end result is more of that lost heat being converted to power strokes that actually move the car forward instead of evaporating into nothingness.

7) The Green Brick

While clay bricks have become a fixture in American construction, inventor Henry Liu has a new vision: a green brick. His brick is made entirely of fly ash, which is a major waste product of coal power plants that simply sits in a landfill after it is produced. And rather than solidifying under extreme heat like regular bricks do, the green brick forms under pressure. This saves a considerable amount of energy and costs some 20% less, which puts a smile on manufacturers’ faces. They are even desirable from a construction standpoint because the way they are molded leads to smoother, more uniform surfaces that slash precious time off of the bricklaying process.

8) StarChase Pursuit Management System

If you were planning on orchestrating a heart-pumping police chase anytime soon, this device might give you reason to reconsider. The StarChase Pursuit Management system uses a laser-guided “gun” that is mounted on the front grill of squad cars. The beam can tag fleeing vehicles at almost any speed with a GPS tracker that will retain the data and forward it in real-time back to police headquarters for further analysis and use in assisting backup patrols. Bad news for thieves and drug dealers, but great news for the crime fighters.

9) Blood type conversion

It used to be that if you needed type-O blood, nothing but that would suffice. This has long been a vexing problem for blood banks, as type-O negative is by far the most valuable blood commodity there Is. However, testing is underway for “Blood Simple”, a device that Danish researchers created to convert other blood types to O with the aid of bacteria. The crux of the discovery? Two isolated enzymes made by bacteria that can erode the sugar molecules which demarcate types A, B, and AB-negative blood from one another. This would more or less convert them to type O, greatly increasing the potential supply of this highly sought-after blood type. With technology like this on the horizon, blood transfusion shortages may not plague us for very much longer!

10) Apple iPhone

Named Time Magazine’s 2007 Invention of the Year, the iPhone has delighted critics since Steve Jobs dramatically unveiled it at the MacWorld convention earlier this year. In one device, the iPhone consolidates a wireless phone, an iPod, a web browser, a camera, and an e-mail communicator. The Internet is rendered much as it looks on normal computers and easily navigated with a super-intuitive touch screen. The iPhone also boasts a massive 8GB of storage for your music, movies, pictures, or documents. And gone are the days of cheap, fast-dying cell phone batteries: the iPhone offers 24 hours of life for continuous music playback, and as long as 12 hours for continuous video. With so much power and capability packed into one gadget, it is no wonder the iPhone took home Time’s top invention honors!

What is old becomes new again with a high-power microwave

John Gerbich

Inventor Frank Pringle might have begun the end of an era of wasted energy with the introduction of his new “Hawk” microwave.

Do not let the name fool you; it is not any ordinary microwave. According to Popular Science magazine, this microwave is capable of extracting the hidden oil and natural gas bound together inside of almost everything around you, including such items as tires, plastic cups and even rocks.

The secret is that all of these items contain a base of hydrocarbon. This giant microwave can break down the old strings of hydrocarbon that the item was originally composed of into component parts. One tire, when broken down to a size that the microwave can handle, can be broken in to four different parts: diesel fuel, carbon black, combustible gas and high-strength steel, said an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The process is fairly straightforward. The item is placed into the microwave in manageable pieces and the microwave is turned on. Once separated, the diesel fuel goes into a glass container and the natural gas goes to a tank. The only thing left in the microwave unit itself is the carbon black. Video of the microwave in action is available online.

This new process is a huge advancement in the world of recycling. Many experts have been unsure as to what to do with these materials once they are no longer usable. Stockpiles of old used tires are often stored in large tire dumps – wasted energy. This new microwave provides a solution. As many of these materials were once thought of as useless, they are now able to be renewed and reused.

The development of the microwave took Pringle 10 years, much of that time spent perfecting the correct microwave frequencies to extract resources from a variety of materials. Because of this, many materials can be extracted, all at different wave frequencies – hundreds of materials. His exhaustive efforts have not gone unnoticed. With this large number of workable materials, his invention can appeal to an extremely large market.

The most obvious market is that of the scrap metal industry. According to NewScientist.com in reference to a particular auto recycling company, “for every ton of steel that the company recovers, between 226 kg and 318 kg of (trash) is produced.” With the new microwave, the auto recyclers are no longer stuck harvesting only scrap metal; they can now make use of almost all parts of the vehicle. This greatly reduces the amount of materials that must be deposited in landfills. Not surprisingly, the first of Pringle’s microwaves was sold to an auto recycler in New York. The price was $5.1 million.

Another possible customer is the US military. The war in Iraq has produced massive amounts of plastics from water bottles and food containers that could easily be converted back to essential fuels needed by the military. An investment such as this would definitely be valuable in reducing unnecessary waste as well as creating more energy sources in a limited environment.

Oil companies may also provide an unexpected market for the Hawk. The microwave creates competition for them, but might also prove to be extremely useful in extracting petroleum trapped in shale. While an investment in the Hawk might be financing their potential opposition, the benefits far outweigh the possible negative effects.

The Hawk is also able to make recycling of other materials much more simple, said NewScientist.com. An excellent example is that of recycling copper wiring. When recycling this wiring, there is no need for its insulation. The insulation, however, can be recycled with the use of the microwave. Not only does this allow the recycling process to be more inclusive, but it makes the copper itself much easier to obtain. The wiring with insulation can be put in the microwave and all that will remain inside of the unit is the copper and the resulting carbon black – metals cannot be extracted.

Inventions as useful as this new microwave are not created often. These kinds of tools could help make the world a cleaner place. They can also help us hold on to what few natural non-renewable resources we have. The ability to reuse will undoubtedly drive us to a more “green” future. Creative minds must continue to create and lead us there.

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John Gerbich is the Staff Writer for IdeaBuyer.com, a marketplace for new technology and products that allows inventors to showcase their intellectual property to consumer product companies, entrepreneurs, retailers, and manufacturers. Visit the site by clicking here > Patents for Sale.