Invention: Creates technical innovations (such as auto parts) from renewable natural resources, such as coconut husks. US market (materials sourced from developing markets). Read more
Invention: Solar-charged, battery-powered LED lanterns that are healthier, more economical, less dangerous, and less polluting then petroleum lanterns. Emerging markets. Read more
Invention: School-based initiative that provides classes and lessons for children, and also teaches children to produce fuel briquettes as a business opportunity. Read more
Invention: Delivers low-cost healthcare to women in remote locations, using a variety of custom markers pre-filled with reagents for screening tests. Piloted in Nepal. Read more
Invention: Cell phone system that enables validation of pharmaceutical drugs by customers, preventing the sale and use of counterfeit medicines. Nigeria and emerging markets. Read more
Former NCIIA grantee Daniel Kraft makes his second appearance on TED, talking about the future of medicine.
Based at Stanford University, Daniel is one of this country's leading biomedical innovators. In 2002, he led a student team that developed the Marrow Miner (see his TED talk from 2009).
NCIIA grantees describe ground breaking ideas on TED:
Great innovations
NCIIA funds projects with the potential to change the world:
Polytorx | Developed Helix, a new steel fiber additive for concrete reinforcement. US market.
Ecovative Design | Developed Ecocradle, a biodegradable alternative to polystyrene/Styrofoam packaging. US market.
Whole Tree | Creates technical innovations (such as auto parts) from renewable natural resources, such as coconut husks. US market (materials sourced from developing markets).
I-Conserve | Wireless sensor that monitors and adjusts household energy use to maximize efficiency. US market.
Greenlight Planet | Solar-charged, battery-powered LED lanterns that are healthier, more economical, less dangerous, and less polluting then petroleum lanterns. Emerging markets.
Solar Ivy | Solar panel array for use on building fascades. US market.
Twig Light (Daylight Solutions) | Uses existing waste energy to produce clean electric light inside homes. Emerging markets.
Afghan briquettes project (Afghans for Tomorrow) | School-based initiative that provides classes and lessons for children, and also teaches children to produce fuel briquettes as a business opportunity.
Sproxil | Cell phone system that enables validation of pharmaceutical drugs by customers, preventing the sale and use of counterfeit medicines. Nigeria and emerging markets. Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design | Program at Johns Hopkins University
Antenatal screening kit | Delivers low-cost healthcare to women in remote locations, using a variety of custom markers pre-filled with reagents for screening tests. Piloted in Nepal.
Global Healthare Technologies Program | Course at Northwestern University where students work with front-line healthcare workers to design medical devices specifically for the developing world.
Intelliject | Convenient epinephrine auto-injector that can be carried in a wallet. US market.
Marrowminer | Innovative device and method for rapidly harvesting bone marrow and the stem cells bone marrow contains.
Onebreath | Low-cost ventilator for use in developing nations and disaster relief efforts.
PneumoniaCheck | Effective and inexpensive device for obtaining samples to test for pneumonia. Emerging markets.
In 2000, approximately 40,000 marrow transplants were performed worldwide. In the field of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), an autologous transplant involves bone marrow harvesting from the patient, and feeding the marrow back to the same patient following treatment with high-dose chemotherapy. An allogeneic transplant refers to the procedure of harvesting bone marrow from a healthy donor and giving it to the patient who has received high doses of chemotherapy and radiation.
Because both of these harvesting methods are expensive and tedious, the MarrowMiner E-Team developed an innovative device and method for rapidly harvesting bone marrow and the stem cells bone marrow contains. The team incorporated as StemCor Systems.
Update:
In 2008, the team signed an agreement with Hospira, Inc. to develop and commercialize StemCor's proprietary system for the harvest of bone marrow.
