We've had dozens of Invention Award winners over the years, and we found ourselves wondering: what's going on with some of those past winners? We tracked down five of our favorites to find out their current statuses.
2008: Composite Beams
Extra-strong bridge support
"Last summer we opened the Knickerbocker Bridge in Maine, the longest composite bridge in the world at 540 feet."- John Hillman
2009: Vegawatt
Waste-cooking-oil power station
"We have shipped 20 systems. My alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic, purchased one. I am sure the residents sleep well knowing that their electricity and hot water are derived from the burgers and fries they had for dinner."- James Peret
2009: Ripsaw
60mph unmanned tank
"The Ripsaw has been bought by the U.S. Army and is seeing use in the field to defeat IEDs."-Mike Howe
2010: Soundbite
Tooth-mounted hearing aid
"We received FDA clearance in early 2011 and launched commercially in October. Hundreds of patients are using the product right now."- Jason Shelton
2010: Groasis Waterboxx
Planter that works in the desert
"We are shipping to more than 30 countries now and expect to produce and sell about 250,000 boxes in 2012."- Pieter Hoff
The Other 2012 Invention Awards Winners Are...
- A Spring-Loaded Ice Skate
- A Mister for Firefighters
- A Modular Cast
- An Assisted-Walking Device With Senses
- A Recirculating Shower
- A Higher-Efficiency, Lower-Emission Engine System
- An Inflatable Tourniquet
- A Better Lobster Trap
- A Simple Helicopter Engine
- Augmented-Reality Contact Lenses
- Where Are They Now? Winners From Past Years
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