Team: DermaCure
Mechanical Properties of Nanofibers for Potential Use in Cellular Scaffolds

Each year, millions of people suffer worldwide from burn related injuries or severe wounds and must receive medical attention. Since 1871, the most common used method in hospitals to treat these victims is skin grafting. However, with advancements made in materials science research, it is possible to create more efficient methods in aiding in the regenerative process.

Team: Dynamic Energy
Self Reliant Electric Vehicles Utilizing Thermoelectric Generators

Electric vehicles are known for their inefficient energy consumption. It has been increasing drastically around the world for the past couple of years. The Dynamic Energy Research Team will be researching about how we can use the wasted kinetic and thermal energy that an electric vehicle produces and make it self- reliant. Our goal is to boost up the efficiency of an electric car from where it is today by using piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and thermal interface materials.

Team: Energy Finders
Energy Harvesting

Access to clean, reliable electricity is essential to sustain a quality life, from providing light and heat, to properly maintaining stored medicine and food. Approximately sixteen percent of the world’s population lacks access to electricity; especially those in underdeveloped nations and remote locations. Developing a reliable source of electricity can improve the features of their lives. A solution needs to be developed to bring electricity to all global inhabitants.

Team: Hybrid Electrics
Multisource Energy Harvesting: Piezoelectric and Solar Energy

Nearly 90% of our energy comes from non-renewable sources; fossil fuels, coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. These sources are inefficient, unreliable, harmful to our environment, and are quickly diminishing. However, working towards 100% of the world's energy coming from renewable sources would not only benefit humankind but the Earth as well. With advanced research and development, renewable energy sources can power the world.

Team: ARK Energy
Increasing the Efficiency of Alternative Energy Sources

Burning fossil fuels contributes to substantial changes in Earth's climate and ecology in addition to harming public health and human industry. Cleaner, renewable sources of energy are needed. Current renewable energy sources are impractical, and further research is required to improve their viability as fossil fuels competitors.

Team: FiberCare
Organic and Antibacterial Bandages

Millions of people are lacerated every year and if these injuries are not properly cared for, there is a high risk of infection and other complications. On average, wounds take 2 to 14 days to heal; however, most bandages only have an effective life of 2-3 days before they needs to be replaced. Advanced healing methodologies are needed to improve the healing process.

Team: LANtech Energy Monitoring & Storage
Energy Monitoring & Storage

Nonrenewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, are dwindling as well as causing harm to the environment. As a result, research and development on renewable energy technologies has begun to turn them into a viable source. Unlike fossil fuels which can be stored for long periods of time and can be used on demand, current renewable energy technologies are limited to use at the time of collection. A system to monitor and store the energy generated by renewable technologies is essential to effectively replace current energy production methods.

Team: MAP Electrical Solutions
Extending the Longevity of Solar panels by Addressing Thermal Cycling

Solar power is one of the most widely employed sustainable energy sources in the world. This energy, channeled through solar panels, is being integrated into industrial and commercial setups at a remarkable rate. Despite this, solar panels face the problem of long-term inefficiency, as the technology is compromised when exposed to the natural elements. Aside from common weather interference -- such as rain, snow, and sleet -- one of the biggest problems of solar panel longevity is drastic temperature fluctuations experienced over a long period of time. This issue, known as thermal cycling, is responsible for the gradual breakdown of solar panels over time, resulting in long-term inefficiencies.

Team: NanoFilter
Nanofiber Based Deionized Water Filter

Deionized Water is a pure form of water. In this process added ions and minerals that could contaminate an experiment are extracted for the purpose of developing water with no possible experiment contaminant. Most Deionized water filter systems are up to four to seven separate canisters. The canisters are separately filled with a sediment filter, an activated charcoal chamber, and a separate chamber for both cations and anions. The sediment filter and activated charcoal chamber help take out all the heavy metals and other minerals in water. The cation and anion canisters are filled with an ion exchanging resin which, takes the polarity out of the water. Over time the cation, anion, and sediment filter canisters need to be replaced.

Team: TiGrowth
Tissue Engineering: Chitosan Based Nanofiber Scaffolds

Tissue engineering has the potential to assist patients in recovering from injury and disease. Scaffolds are necessary to provide structure and nutrients to the surgery site. Currently, there are six methods to create a cell scaffold, but there are problems with each of the methods. These scaffolds are inserted into an area in which tissue damage has transpired, however, each of the current scaffolds has flaws. Each method has problems regarding either the integrity of the structure of the scaffold, consistency of the scaffold, cytotoxicity, or consistency of protein release. Through certain methods, we are able to improve the integrity and quality of the scaffolds patients receive and eliminate the niche problems that the several forms of creation possess. A scaffold capable of effectively assisting the growth of cartilage cells is needed in order to successfully regenerate tissue.

Team: ChromaLight
Ultraviolet Detection

UV radiation comes in three different forms from the sun, but only UVA and UVB make it to the earth's surface where it is absorbed by skin cells. UV radiation is a leading cause of skin cancer with over 5.4 million cases reported each year. Current methods of preventing sunburn such as creams and sprays have helped reduce the chances of getting skin cancer, but there is much more room for improvement in UV detection technology. Further research is needed to be done to reduce the number of skin cancer cases every year.

Team: DPS: Dynamic Purification Solutions
Nanofiber Based Filtration Media

Water is essential to sustain life. Due to increasing societal and environmental pressures through population growth and climate change, the finite supply of water on this planet is under great stress. Three in ten people worldwide (about 2.1 billion) lack reliable access to clean water. Current methods of purifying water are complex and require expensive infrastructure and machinery. Therefore a small, affordable but effective method of producing clean water is necessary.

Team: NeuroTouch
Synthetic Nerve Development

Today, 20 million americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy, also referred to as nerve damage. Unfortunately, the most current treatments, such as nerve grafting and implementing synthetic nerve conduits, comes with limitations and adverse effects. Since treatment of peripheral neuropathy is not as effective as possible, development of more beneficial methods must be pursued.

Team: SoleEnergy
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting

The use of and demand for mobile devices has seen a large increase in the last decade. Current methods to charge these devices are insufficient and require an outlet. Even with today's latest technology, even portable charging devices require a stationary plug to charge them. Further research is required to develop a more effective way to store electrical energy in a mobile device.

Team: Stimul-Aids
Electrically Stimulated Healing

Cutaneous injuries are a universal aspect of medical care, with approximately 300 million chronic wound patients worldwide. Current solutions use bandages as a leading protection, however, in their current state, they have no qualities that can help promote cell reproduction and heal a wound faster. Advancements are required to develop more effective bandages and better control wounds.

Team: ZBC Chrome
Electrochromic Materials

Energy efficient windows are essential to better control the flow of energy and light in commercial and residential buildings. Current windows are not energy efficient. Approximately twenty five percent of the energy used to heat and cool buildings is lost through the windows. Research and development needs to be made to reduce the energy lost through the windows in buildings.