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Prototypes for Humanity 2022


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A sense of great urgency could be felt when exploring the ideas and solutions presented in last year’s edition of Prototypes for Humanity. Students and researchers from around the world increasingly see impact innovation as a necessity for the here and now. More than anything, these are prototypes for the present. Universities across multiple disciplines continue to establish themselves as powerful, connected incubators of ideas that bring communities, expertise and experience together into a complex ecosystem. Here, the next generation of innovators are the undisputed protagonists. Prototypes for Humanity celebrates their creativity and offers them a platform to come together in a productive exchange, which has the power to change the world.

3D Plastics

3D Plastics

Plastic waste reduction

McMaster University

A machine for recycling waste plastics into 3D printer filament

Aerostat

Aerostat

Wildfires

Middle East Technical University

Smart helium-filled balloon for early forest fire detection

African Ginger Research

African Ginger Research

Allergies

University of the Witwatersrand

Registering African ginger as a complementary medicine for allergies

Agro-Safe

Agro-Safe

Farming

Addis Ababa University

Introducing safer bio-pesticides in small farms

Airy

Airy

3D Printing

DAAP – University of Cincinnati

Comfortable self-assembly scoliosis brace

AkoFresh

AkoFresh

Affordable farming tools

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Solar powered cold storage solution reducing post-harvest loss

Anabaena

Anabaena

Alternative medicine

Case Western Reserve University

Plant-based therapeutics for vaccine production and drug development

apt

apt

Accessible healthcare

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Accessible Pregnancy Test for the Visually Impaired

Argo

Argo

Renewable energy

University of Applied Sciences (FH) Joanneum

Harnessing renewable energy on container ships

Auxoide

Auxoide

Comfort

Lund University

Self-supporting textile that can be bent to create cushions and seatings

Averto Labs

Averto Labs

Construction

National Institute of Design, India

Wearable fall detection system for at-risk construction workers

BamBuild

BamBuild

Natural materials

University of São Paulo

High-performance environmentally friendly bamboo based construction material

BlinkAid

BlinkAid

Eye disease

Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design

A device for treating dry eye symptoms

BlueNose

BlueNose

Energy

Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres)

Aerodynamic, fuel-saving bow attachment for container ships

Bolsolution

Bolsolution

Food packaging

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Biodegradable and compostable packaging for storing fresh food

Carbon Capture Battery

Carbon Capture Battery

Carbon-neutral production

University of Cambridge

Solution to generate energy whilst capturing carbon

Carebase

Carebase

Elder companion

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design

AI-driven device providing purchasing advice to the elderly

Circular Steam

Circular Steam

Energy conversion

Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design

Steam cooking appliance that stores energy for later use

CO2 Recorder

CO2 Recorder

Clean energy

Zhejiang University

App which records personal carbon emissions

Curial

Curial

Machine learning

University of Oxford

Low-cost ultra-accurate Covid-19 test

Curio

Curio

Tools for the visually impaired

Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI)

Ed-tech device that enhances learning experience for low-vision learners

Defi

Defi

Heart health

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

Cost-effective portable alternative to the traditional defibrillator

Diacare

Diacare

Insulin injections

Middle East Technical University

Safe storage system for insulin drugs

Doro

Doro

Accessible healthcare

The University of Bamenda

A mobile app that improves access to healthcare in vulnerable communities

Expressive Typeface

Expressive Typeface

Typography

PXL – MAD School of Arts Hasselt

Typographic solution to aid expressive reading

Farmality

Farmality

Accessible energy

Kaplan Financials

Solar-powered food dehydration machine

Feminist Nutrition Interventions in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Feminist Nutrition Interventions in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Female health

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Reconsidering nutrition for women in cardiac rehabilitation through feminist design practices


FOOD

Feeding a planet of 8 billion

How can we make farming practices more sustainable? How can we give food waste a new purpose? Solutions in this section aim to reimagine and improve our relationship with food across its full lifecycle, from production to storage and reusing

HEALTH

Improving the lives of those who suffer

How can we use digital technology to improve access to healthcare? How can we better support the recovery of patients and survivors? Solutions in this section aim to offer new products and services that make carers more effective and patients more self sufficient

CLIMATE

Protecting the environment from harmful human impact

How do we regenerate fragile ecosystems? How do we handle large quantities of waste efficiently? Solutions in this section aim to promote circular principles that can generate economic impact whilst supporting a more balanced relationship with nature

SAFETY

Saving lives in critical moments

How can we better ready ourselves for emergencies and extreme climate events? How can we prevent disasters from spreading? Solutions in this section aim to present practical, affordable technologies deployable across sectors, from mobility to fire rescue and flooding response

ENERGY

Powering progress in our day to day lives

How do we make our energy infrastructure more resilient? How can we become more energy self-sufficient? Solutions in this section aim to raise our consciousness about polluting sources and improve our capacity to use renewables

EQUALITY

Leaving no-one behind

How can we create better opportunities for those in need? How can technology support self confidence? Solutions in this section aim to empower individuals living with disability or those in underprivileged positions through accessible technology

COMMUNITY

Coming together to break social barriers

How can every voice be heard in unequal societies? How can technology improve access to basic services? Solutions in this section aim to support vulnerable groups with tools to increase their sense of belonging and allow them to take a more active role in society

EDUCATION

Making learning accessible to everyone

How can we use data to make more conscious decisions? How can technology improve learning outcomes? Solutions in this section aim to create opportunities to generate new knowledge and to make it accessible in a more equitable way