10 significant innovations nominated in INDEX: Awards 2015. Please download the file to use clickable links :).

1. 10 significant innovations
nominated in INDEX: AWARD 2015
photo: halfrain /Flickr/

2. #1 VENTUM
„Being able to have an active life with freedom of movement is something that should be
everyone’s right—regardless of the need for life support equipment. To simplify treatment and
therefore increase quality of life for both child and parents. Ventum gives children with
breathing difficulties the freedom to live, laugh and play with a compact respirator in the form
of a backpack.” [Simon Fredriksson, designer]
photo: core77designawards.com
video: https://goo.gl/k9aJkw
Why it matters
Ventum gives
meaningful freedom
of movement to
children tethered to
breathing - assistance
equipment.

3. #2 THE SILK LEAF
In a period where global carbon emission and urbanization are growing exponentially the need
for creating sustainable solutions for the indoor and outdoor urban environment arise. Inspired
by natural mechanisms and physical phenomena, Julian Melchiorri conducted laboratory
experimentation in order to explore the potential for making devices that photosynthesize and
their possible applications. Silk Leaf is the first outcome of this exploration path. photo: julianmelchiorri.com
video: https://goo.gl/fXZbDS
Why it matters
The Silk Leaf could
extend the duration of
space travel, but also
has great potential to
improve the air quality
on Earth in our urban
areas.

4. #3 DESOLENATOR
This technology uses only solar power to purify water from any source, including sea water,
removing 99.9% of contaminants; which is especially critical in regions where natural
groundwater reserves have been polluted or poisoned - or where seawater is the only
water source available. The Desolenator could end one of the world’s biggest challenges by
turning sunshine into fresh water. Available in October 2015.
photo: designtoimprovelife.dk
video: https://goo.gl/GTw4nE
Why it matters
It’s anticipated that by
2030 half of the
world’s population will
live in water stress,
according to the
United Nations.

5. #4 PROJECT LITERACY
Imagine not being able to fill out a form at the hospital, vote in an election, take the right
bus, or send a text message because you aren’t able to read - that’s the reality for millions
of people all over the world. It is a global problem, stretching from the USA to Uganda, from
Europe to Cambodia and everywhere in-between. Project Literacy aims to change this
through bringing together a diverse and global cross-section of people and organisations.
photo: Wikipedia
video: http://goo.gl/IV2JVk
Why it matters
According to
UNESCO, there are
781 million illiterate
adults in the world
and 64% of them are
women.

6. #5 FOLDOSCOPE
Foldscope is an origami-based print-and-fold optical microscope that can be assembled from
a flat sheet of paper. Although it costs less than a dollar in parts, it can provide over 2,000X
magnification, requires no external power. With the wide distribution of this tool, people can
be easily tested and diagnosed for treatment instead of traveling long distances or waiting
months to see a medical practitioner.
photo: designtoimprovelife.dk
video: https://goo.gl/Lk9HRy
Why it matters
The device not only
saves lives, but provides
a real hands-on science
education to a number
of maginalised groups.

7. #6 TESLA POWERWALL
The Tesla Powerwall is a rechargeable battery that aims to revolutionise energy generation,
smooth out energy consumption and allow users to cut down on their energy bills, as well as
their carbon footprint. The solar-powered, lithium-ion batteries will allow owners to store energy
generated during the day and use it at night, allowing them to avoid buying electricity from
utility providers in the evenings at peak rates. The home batteries will be compact, easy to
install, as well as maintain. photo: thegadgetflow.com
video: https://goo.gl/DYU9r6
Why it matters
One of the biggest
global challenges is
moving the world’s
power production to
sources of renewable
energy.

8. #7 PEEK RETINA
Four out of five people who are blind do not need to be, they are simply visually impaired
because they did not receive treatment for diseases that are easily curable. Bringing
professional eye care to remote areas without compromising quality, Peek Retina is a part of
the Peek portable eye examination kit that uses apps and a simple adapter to allow almost
anyone to perform high quality eye examinations. Simply fix the adapter over the smart phone
camera, point, and shoot. photo: designtoimprovelife.dk
video: https://goo.gl/TYzzUI
Why it matters
According to the WHO,
there are currently 285
million visually impaired
people in the world.

9. #8 BRCK
Internet access in a number of major cities like Nairobi or New Delhi – not to mention the
surrounding areas – still remains scarce or unreliable. The BRCK was developed to go where
no other Internet can go – where electricity and internet connections are problematic both in
urban and rural areas. Designed to survive any weather, the BRCK works in over 140 countries
via satellite connection. It has enough backup power to survive a blackout and can be charged
like a regular device, as well as from a solar panel or a car battery. photo: fastcoexist.com
video: https://goo.gl/swtWfu
Why it matters
In this information age,
having access to the
Internet is essential not
only for the working
population, but for the
healthy development of
education.

10. #9 THE OCEAN CLEANUP
Plastic in the oceans has become one of the world’s biggest pollution problems, killing
hundreds of birds, fish and other marine life every day. The Ocean Cleanup develops
technologies to extract, prevent, and intercept plastic pollution. The Ocean Cleanup’s goal is to
fuel the world’s fight against oceanic plastic pollution by initiating the largest cleanup in history.
It is the first system to passively clean up plastic pollution from the world’s oceans.
photo: theoceancleanup.com
video: https://goo.gl/z0Bqif
Why it matters
Eight million tons of
plastic is thrown into the
oceans every year, and
in the coming years it’s
expected that this will
accelerate significantly.

11. #10 SHOWER OF THE FUTURE
Showers are one of the biggest contributors to our overall domestic water consumption. With
The Shower of the Future, users can be environmentally friendly without compromising their
long, hot showers. Imitating the same technology used onboard spacecraft, the shower works
on a closed-loop system that requires only five litres of water – about a tenth of what traditional
showers use. The shower also saves over 80% in energy consumption.
photo: showerofthefuture.com
video: https://goo.gl/CKg6ka
Why it matters
Once initially used,
the ‘waste’ water is
collected from the
drain, purified, and
then recycled back
into the in-flow tank.

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@adamprzezdziek
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