The 15th annual “Create the Future” Design Contest for engineers, students, and entrepreneurs worldwide, sponsored by COMSOL, Inc., and Mouser Electronics, drew 1,150 innovative product ideas from engineers and students in 65 countries. The Medical category itself received 105 outstanding entries from 22 countries. Analog Devices and Intel were supporting sponsors, and Schneider Electric sponsored the Medical category. The contest, which was established in 2002, recognizes and rewards engineering innovations that benefit humanity, the environment, and the economy.

Winners were selected in late September from the following seven categories: Medical Products, Consumer Products, Electronics, Machinery/Automation/Robotics, Sustainable Technologies, Automotive/Transportation, and Aerospace & Defense. In addition to product ideas at the concept or prototype stage, contestants could submit designs for commercial products introduced to the market within the last 12 months.

The grand prize winner receives $20,000, while the first-place winner in each category receives a Hewlett-Packard deskside workstation computer or laptop. The Top Ten Most Popular Entries, as voted on by contest site visitors, will each receive Nanodots Magnetic Constructors from Nano Magnetics.

In addition to the winners and honorable mentions described in this article, there were two winning entries in the Consumer Products category with medical-related applications. One entry, the GAIA, is smart apparel designed for those with autism. The shirt monitors biometrics such as heart rate, skin conductivity, and blood pressure. If the user experiences high levels of stress, the shirt initiates compression, simulating a hug. The other entry, the IAGIES (Impact Absorbing Gel Infused Exoskeleton), is a 3D printed exoskeletal neck mesh designed to protect the neck and cranium during sports and other risky activities.

This article introduces the Medical Category winner as well as the four Medical Category Honorable Mentions. The top prize winners will be honored at an awards reception in New York City this month. Congratulations to all who entered. All of the entries can be seen here .