https://www.epo.org/en/node/european-inventor-award
European Inventor Award
Carol Robinson, Lifetime Achievement laureate
British chemist honoured for her work and championing women in STEM
European Inventor Award 2024 finalists
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About the award
People with a passion for discovery drive innovation. Without their inquisitive minds and desire for new ideas, there would be no inventive spirit and no progress. The European Inventor Award pays tribute to inventors worldwide. It celebrates those who transform their ideas into technological progress, economic growth or improvements to our daily lives. Launched in 2006, the Award gives inventors the recognition they deserve and, like any good competition, it acts as an incentive for others.
The finalists 2024
Industry
The Giga Press is a high-pressure die-casting machine with the potential to transform the automotive industry, developed by engineers Fiorenzo Dioni and Richard Oberle. Developed for electric-vehicle production, the press helps to reduce the waste, energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with automotive manufacturing.
The Proximity Extension Assay (PEA), which allows for the sensitive detection of proteins in cells and link proteins to DNA strands providing detectable data, was created by Ulf Landegren and Simon Fredriksson. From early disease screening to individualised treatment plans, PEA has the potential to vastly improve patient outcomes in multiple areas of medicine.
An ingenious acellular fish-skin graft that harnesses the unique properties of cod skin to accelerate wound healing has been invented by G. Fertram Sigurjonsson and his team. Ageing populations, the prevalence of diabetes and the occurrence of traumatic injuries may lead to chronic or complex wounds, and often, amputation is the only option for patients. Biologic tissue products, such as the fish-skin graft, could help mitigate the risk of amputation.
Non-EPO Countries
Quieter and greener jets now fly overhead thanks to the work of Fernando Catalano and Micael Carmo. Through an industry-research collaboration, the inventors helped develop a new jet that lowers CO2 emissions up to 25% per passenger and noise footprint by 65% compared to the previous model.
The 3D Lightfield invention, developed by David Fattal, offers users a three-dimensional (3D), real-time experience without using 3D glasses for unprecedented depth and immersion. The invention is a key feature in the Lume Pad, a tablet offering a unique 3D viewing experience.
Neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets have revolutionised the field of permanent magnets and become an indispensable component of modern technology. The strongest variety, “Sintered NdFeB magnets”, was developed by Japanese inventor and materials scientist Masato Sagawa.
Research
Anaerobic dopamine, or A-dopamine, can be administered directly to the brain to improve treatment of advanced Parkinson’s Disease symptoms through a dosing pump developed by David Devos and Caroline Moreau and their team.
The FLASC hydro-pneumatic energy storage system, developed by Tonio Sant, Daniel Buhagiar and their team, stores excess wind-generated electricity as hydraulic power to generate electrical power when needed.
Research led by computer scientist Cordelia Schmid has enabled AI to "see" and interpret complex visual data in real-time. Her work is a step towards a future in which interactive robots and self-driving vehicles provide solutions for pressing problems.
SMEs
A new treatment that recruits the body’s immune system to fight cancer more effectively was developed by Sirpa and Markku Jalkanen. Their treatment offers new hope to patients resistant to other therapies.
Printable perovskite solar cells, developed by Olga Malinkiewicz and her team, could boost global renewable energy generation as a lightweight and flexible method of harnessing solar energy.
A process that could transform the energy sector by harnessing osmosis to produce cost-effective and eco-friendly electricity has been perfected by Bruno Mottet and Lyderic Bocquet.
Lifetime Achievement
‘Native mass spectrometry’, pioneered by Dame Carol Robinson, has transformed our understanding of proteins within their native environments and paved the way for advancements in drug discovery and personalised medicine.
Young Inventors Prize
MOOVOBRAIN, an all-in-one smart wheelchair control solution that enables individuals with severe disabilities to navigate independently, has been developed by Khaoula Ben Ahmed, Ghofrane Ayari, Souleima Ben Temime, and Sirine Ayari.
New-generation technology that addresses deforestation and carbon emissions by transforming leaves into eco-friendly paper has been developed by Valentyn Frechka, a young Ukrainian inventor.
By devising a portable test kit to quickly diagnose bacterial infections, Rochelle Niemeijer harnesses state-of-the-art medical technology to address the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance.
Search for past finalists
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Young Inventors Prize
Aimed at innovators aged 30 and under, this prize rewards those using technology to contribute to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. A granted patent is not required, and all finalists receive a cash prize.
Popular Prize
This unique prize is decided by online public vote, so learn more about the finalists via their web profiles and then vote for your favourite inventor.
Contact
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