Collection Innovations Helping to Save Lives

From sharks to asparagus, virtual reality to man’s best friend, we are living in an unprecedented time of scientific discovery. Here are some of our favorite creative and remarkable innovations that are having a profound impact on our health and well-being.

Image: Purple, sparkly slime. Not the exact slime that makes up the slime robots, but certainly a more aesthetic version!

These Slime Robots Could Save Your Life!

When I say “robot” what do you think of? I’m guessing it’s something boxy, solid, metal, maybe a little rigid in its movements. So, what if I told you that scientists are working on a liquid robot, or to be more accurate, a slime robot. This strange little guy challenges our understanding of what robots can be capable of, and in the process, has the power to revolutionize medicine!

Image: A woman sitting by the sea, drinking water out of a water bottle.

New Portable Device Makes Seawater Drinkable On The Go

Whether you're in the city or on a mountain, any water can now become drinkable. Using less power than a cell phone charger and powered by a small solar panel, this new portable device can make undrinkable water drinkable on the go!

5 min read

Image: A shark swimming near the surface of the ocean, one of the many sharks who inspired the Sharklet antibacterial pattern.

The World’s First Germ Resistant Material, Inspired by… Sharks?

Taking inspiration from sharks, we now have a technology that can help prevent the spread of Staph infections, E Coli, MRSA, and other superbugs that we don’t even have antibiotics for yet! Engineers have discovered that shark skin has a unique pattern that can be duplicated and applied to everything from door handles to medical equipment to prevent the spread of deadly diseases.

5 min read

Image: a bunch of freshly washed asparagus in a strainer

Asparagus: A New Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries?

A feeling very familiar to most of us almost kept this life-changing treatment for spinal cord injuries from making it to testing! Here's how Andrew Pelling and his fellow researchers overcame self-doubt to create this breakthrough innovation.

5 min read

Image: woman walking outside of a SHRI bathroom facility

Discover the Problem-Solving Power of Poo

Could a toilet help us solve some of our biggest problems? This organization is bringing lasting health to India's poorest communities with clean water and sanitation, all powered by poo! It's an ingenious approach to problem-solving that we can all adopt. Just take a look!

5 min read

Image: Dozens of bras on a clothesline in a field

The Undergarment that Could Save Your Life!

What if something you already wear on your body every day could actually save your life? Well, it's not that far off! We're introducing you to a young man who is reinventing the way we look at our undergarments. Meet Julian Rios Cantu, a loving son who is about to change the world of women's health as we know it—with a brassiere!

Image: Woman hugs large dog with a smile on his face

How Dogs Are Helping Us Detect Cancer!

A group of highly trained dogs is learning to smell some of the hardest to detect forms of cancer! So, what are we learning from these super-sniffers?

5 min read

Image: Elderly man with a flower tucked behind his ear

Restoring Sight to the Blind with a $3 Innovation

Thought leaders who find ingenious solutions right at the root of problems can be an inspiration to us all. Here's a doctor who is changing the lives of millions with a few fundamental shifts that drove costs of restoring someone's sight down from $250 to $3!

5 min read

Image: young girl in a hospital bed wearing a VR headset

Why Some Doctors Are Using VR Instead of Anesthesia!

Could virtual reality be a form of medicine? For patients who are using VR to help manage their pain and discomfort during minor surgery, it already is! Take a look at the amazing way this technology, originally popular for gaming, is getting a new life in hospitals.

5 min read

Giving Our Skin Superpowers with Tattoo Nanotechnology

You've probably heard of wearable technology, but what if your own skin could be used as a form of technology? What if it could tell you things about your health and wellness you didn't have access to before? Nanoscience is teaming up with an unexpected artform to create an innovation that could revolutionize our collective future!

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