Activate is a wrist-mounted device to aid people who are making significant lifestyle changes due to Type II diabetes. Many people find it difficult to sustain the lifestyle changes (proper diet and exercise) that will help them manage the disease. Activate uses an accelerometer to track daily activity, and a small vibrating motor reminds users of regular mealtimes and glucose monitoring.

Contact: Dan Rowe: dantrowe@gmail.com

Credit: Dan Rowe of Cleveland Institute of Art

Aqueous is a natural evaporation cooling device that allows people to grow plants, herbs, vegetables and flowers in the same container that chills their food. It consists of a ceramic planter and filter atop a chamber. The sponge around the inner chamber retains the excess moisture from the plant. As the water begins to evaporate, the cool air is drawn inward and the warm air moves out through the vents.

Contact: Taylor Thomas: tthomas@gate2.cia.edu

Credit: Taylor Thomas of The Cleveland Institute of Art

EasyGlide assists people with limited lower movement to transfer to and from a wheelchair. Simply slide the angled end under your leg, lock the wheelchair and position the other end on the surface of your destination. Using the grab holds, pull yourself onto the roller system and effortlessly roll to your new seating position. The EasyGlide Board conveniently stows on the back of the wheelchair.

Contact: Micah Gregg: micahgregg@gmail.com

Credit: Micah Gregg of Auburn University

The emmerse concept is an alternative to today's hearing aids. It consists of a pair of glasses, a wristband and a keyboard. The glasses convert speech and vocal expression into words that are displayed on the lenses. The keyboard enables users to type their reply, which is vocalized through the wristband in a voice that is derived from the actual voice of the users.

Contact: Dan Carrillo: danc650@gmail.com

Credit: Dan Carrillo of San Jose State University

The EvoBook is the next evolution in personal computers. The design features a hinged leg that can prop the screen up to a suitable height, facilitating good posture. It also features a Bluetooth detachable mouse and ergonomic keyboard. Because it allows for complete adjustability of the screen and keyboard positioning, it is adaptable to any workstation.

Contact: Liam Raphael Mugavin: liam_mugavin@hotmail.com

Credit: Liam Raphael Mugavin of University of South Australia (Australia)

The House Within A House is a one-gallon aquarium designed for Beta fish, modeled after a contemporary home with a maple interior. The small windows are designed to compel users to peer through them in search of their friend. It is a modular design, allowing multiple tanks to be stacked for a condo-like appearance.
Contact: Teddy Luong: teddy.luong2@gmail.com
Credit: Teddy Luong of Carleton University (Canada)

The Meaning of Time clock encourages users to convey their own messages by selecting different objects to use for the clock's minute and hour hands. Holes on the nail-like device indicate the slots for the hour and minute hands, which can be filled with any manner of objects: twigs, pencils, chopsticks and homemade items.

Contact: Bomi Kim: bfsummer@hanmail.net

Credit: Bomi Kim of Hanyang University (Korea)

NOVA combines the hands-free convenience of fixture lighting and the mobility of a flashlight. Many small jobs that require flashlights also require the user's hands to be empty. With NOVA, the head of the light can be detached, turning it into a stationary spotlight that can be clipped to clothing, the hood of a car or anywhere that will give a person's hands a full range of motion.

Contact: Jacob Sutton: suttojd@auburn.edu

Credit: Jacob Sutton of Auburn University

The off-center pencil is a new concept for colored pencils. By placing the lead off center inside the shaft, the design avoids some of the common problems with lead pencils: losing their sharpness quickly and the tips breaking easily. The off-center pencil can also draw a wider variation of strokes.

Contact: Zhiyao Wang: wasyao@gmail.com

Credit: Zhiyao Wang of Art Center College of Design

Power strips are typically hidden because of their lack of aesthetic value and the tangle of cords they produce. But with the Power Bridge, this is no longer necessary. It is shaped like a bridge, with the outlets hidden underneath for better plug management. In addition, indicator lights on the top display the amount of power being used by each outlet, helping users to be more energy conscious.

Contact: Hyukjae Chang: changhj@auburn.edu

Credit: Hyuk Jae Chang of Auburn University and Tsai Lu Liu, Advisor