By KIM BELLARD
I considered writing concerning the election, however I’m too anxious – and somewhat terrified – about it, so I’ll take a go. I used to be intrigued by Oracle Well being’s promise of an AI-driven, “next-generation” EHR, or the information that OpenAI was introducing ChatGPT search, however I felt that every was inevitable and but that each would show underwhelming within the brief time period.
So I made a decision to write down about invention.
The November challenge of IEEE Spectrum journal is all about invention, beginning with the tantalizing overview Why the Art of Invention Is Always Being Reinvented. “Invention doesn’t come from some innate genius, it’s not one thing that solely actually particular folks get to do,” says Stephanie Couch, govt director of the Lemelson MIT Program.
Nonetheless, authors Eliza Strickland and Peter B. Meyer warn, “…the boundaries of what a person can obtain have turn into starker over time. To sort out a number of the greatest issues dealing with humanity immediately, inventors want a deep-pocketed authorities sponsor or company largess to muster the tools and collective human brainpower required.”
Inform that to UTEP scholar Tayia Oddonetto. Whereas an undergraduate, she had an epiphany. “Throughout class, the professor stated that if somebody found the best way to flip brine, water with a excessive salt focus, into one thing of worth, it’d be revolutionary for the planet. At that second, I advised myself I used to be going to be the one who discovered the answer for brine, and that thought has by no means left me.”
And she or he did it. As a substitute of the extra frequent reverse osmosis (RO) methodology of desalination, which at finest converts 85% of salt water into contemporary water and leaves a problematic 15% of concentrated brine, Ms. Oddonetto used one thing known as salt-free, electrodialysis metathesis. Because the press release describes it: “Salt-free electrodialysis metathesis treats brine by passing it via ion trade membranes, skinny sheets or movies, and electrical currents that work to separate salt from water on the molecular stage.”
Her strategy produced over 90% contemporary water, and generated increased ranges of useful metals and minerals that may be repurposed throughout a number of industries together with expertise, well being and meals.
“Tayia’s analysis will assist public utilities get monetary savings whereas enabling folks nationwide to scale back their utility payments in a significant approach, advancing society’s intention of water conservation,” stated Ivonne Santiago, Ph.D., an affiliate professor within the Division of Civil Engineering at UTEP and now Ms. Oddonetto’s doctoral advisor. “Within the subsequent few years, I anticipate that we are going to see Tayia’s analysis utilized on a big scale and totally see the great profit her work can have on humankind. Her journey is a testomony to her perseverance, the significance of engaged on difficult issues and the worth of a robust work ethic and constructive perspective.”
“Incomes an award and funding for my analysis is extremely validating. This can be a advanced and tough problem to sort out and the journey has been filled with roadblocks and setbacks,” stated Ms. Oddonetto. “However I saved at it, and to be acknowledged for the worth of my work is proof that each one my effort and perception on this challenge was worthwhile.” She’s now working with the Nationwide Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI), El Paso Water, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination plant, New Mexico State College and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to refine the method.
Or take a bunch of 4 engineering college students on the College of Toronto. As profiled by The Wall Street Journal, the 4 college students entered into an anti drone expertise competitors (Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox 2024) hosted by the Canadian navy, and – in opposition to rivals like Boeing and Teledyne — tied for second, profitable some $375,000 (Canadian). First place was C$1 million.
Ms. Poletaev, a fabric science scholar, was having espresso with Parth Mahendru, an aerospace-engineering scholar whereas discussing the competitors. They enlisted Asad Ishaq, a robotics scholar, and Michael Acquaviva, {an electrical} engineering scholar.
As a substitute of utilizing flashy approaches like lasers, the workforce used sound to take down drones. “Not all the pieces must be violent or… damaging,” Anna Poletaev said. “[Our technology can make a drone] suppose that it’s 5,000 ft off the bottom when it’s really just some metres above,” Mr. Mahendru defined.
In keeping with the UT press release, “the system also can disrupt visible feeds for drones counting on cameras, making navigation practically inconceivable. It might probably cut back visuals to mere pixels and even disable the digicam.”
They did all this spending $17,000 of their one cash, principally through bank cards.
The scholars have based Prandtl Dynamics as they search to commercialize their product, in addition to make it extra sturdy (for instance, extending its vary from 100 meters). “We now have a distinct market that doesn’t… battle with anybody else, simply due to the novelty of the thought,” Mr. Mahendru noted. The workforce can be actively looking for partnerships and experience from business consultants.
They’ve some challenges forward. As WSJ notes: “Funding for earlier-stage corporations, although, is usually exhausting to return by. Globally, solely two seed-capital investments, value a complete of $14.2 million, have been made in protection startups final 12 months, in keeping with the information supplier PitchBook. The federal authorities has spent billions lately on expertise from prime national-security startups, however most U.S. defense spending continues to go to conventional navy contractors.”
Nonetheless, Mr. Mahendru insists, “Working for ourselves, that’s what’s most fun.”
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Within the IEEE Spectrum invention challenge, inventor Dean Kamen warned: “Immediately, whereas invention is getting simpler and simpler, I feel there are some points of innovation which have gotten rather more tough.” He defines innovation as when one thing reaches the size to influence or remodel the world. For software program, that’s simple; for bodily objects, not a lot. He blames competitors and regulatory environments.
If any sector inhibits innovations from turning into really improvements, it must be well being care. All anybody has to say is “affected person security” and inventors get chilly ft. The hoops inventors have to leap via to get FDA approval or to be lined by well being insurers is daunting. Innovators beware.
However I’m reminded of individuals like Susannah Fox, who writes about the Maker movement in well being care, the place sufferers and their households aren’t prepared to attend for “the system” to get round to fixing their issues. As a substitute, they create options on their very own. We want extra Makers in well being care, and we have to assist them attain Mr. Kamen’s innovation stage of reworking the world – or, on this case, the healthcare system.
Extra of us have to take Ms. Oddonetto’s perspective: “I advised myself I used to be going to be the one who discovered the answer.”
Kim is a former emarketing exec at a significant Blues plan, editor of the late & lamented Tincture.io, and now common THCB contributor
