Innovative Student Teams Excel at Prestigious Inventors Contest
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — This week, a group of talented college and university students unveiled remarkable inventions at a prestigious competition designed to recognize the ingenuity of American students. The Collegiate Inventors Competition serves as a platform for these bright minds to showcase their innovations, ranging from devices that extract drinking water from air to technology that effectively detects peanuts in food.
The event featured finalist teams, including five undergraduate and five graduate teams, consisting of 23 students from nine institutions across the nation. They presented their groundbreaking ideas to a panel of established judges, which included some of the most respected inventors and experts in innovation, including inductees from the National Inventors Hall of Fame and officials from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Monica Jones, CEO of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, expressed pride in hosting such an event, stating, "The Collegiate Inventors Competition highlights our nation's next generation of innovation game-changers — students from across the country who are leading through creativity, persistence and problem solving to make a positive impact around the world." The competition emphasizes the importance of supporting these young inventors as they strive to bring their revolutionary ideas to fruition.
Founded in 1990, this competition is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and supported by the USPTO. In addition to securing cash prizes, winning teams are also awarded a USPTO Patent Acceleration Certificate, which serves to expedite their patent applications.
FIRST-PLACE WINNERS ($10,000 PRIZE)
UNDERGRADUATE:
Sense, Washington University in St. Louis
Team Members: Myles (Max) Miller, Nicolas Chicoine, Cameron Freeman; Adviser: Barani Raman
A smart new way to avoid allergens: Food allergies pose significant risks, with emergency room visits occurring every six minutes due to severe reactions. The Selective Electronic peaNut Sensing Entity (SENSE) is a portable device that scans food for peanut content using advanced technology. By hovering the device over a meal, users receive immediate feedback on the presence of peanuts, all viewable through a smartphone application, demonstrating high accuracy in tests.
GRADUATE:
AirGel, University of Texas at Austin
Team Members: Weixin Guan, Yaxuan Zhao; Adviser: Guihua Yu
A sustainable drinking water solution: With many regions facing critical water shortages, innovative solutions like AirGel are more vital than ever. This solar-powered device captures moisture from the atmosphere to generate drinking water efficiently, using biomass-derived hydrogel materials and a simple collection mechanism. This breakthrough offers an energy-efficient alternative to traditional water systems.
Additionally, AirGel was honored with the 2025 People's Choice Award, further highlighting its societal value and innovative design.
RUNNER-UP WINNERS ($5,000 PRIZE)
UNDERGRADUATE:
BiliRoo, Calvin University
Team Member: Daniel John; Adviser: Jon VerLee
Improving care for infants: Jaundice affects a significant percentage of infants globally, especially premature ones. BiliRoo is an easy-to-use, economical solution that brings light therapy to locations with limited access. This innovative, wearable Sling combines natural sunlight therapy with parental involvement to promote effective treatment in diverse settings.
GRADUATE:
RedAlert Living Sensors, Cornell University
Team Members: Jacob Belding, Ava Forystek; Advisers: Abraham Stroock, Margaret Frank, Neil Mattson
A vivid idea for smarter fertilizer use: Nitrogen is crucial for crop growth, yet current methods of assessment often fall short. Transforming plant physiology through genetic modification allows these RedAlert Living Sensor plants to visibly indicate nitrogen deficiencies with red pigmentation, empowering farmers to manage resources more accurately and sustainably.
About the Collegiate Inventors Competition
This initiative promotes innovation and entrepreneurship among college students. It recognizes and rewards inventive solutions with the potential for patent protection. Since its inception, the competition has celebrated over 500 innovators and contributed significant funds to support groundbreaking projects. For additional insights about the competition, visit the Collegiate Inventors Competition website.
CONTACT: Ken Torisky
National Inventors Hall of Fame
234-901-6085
SOURCE Collegiate Inventors Competition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Collegiate Inventors Competition?
The Collegiate Inventors Competition is an annual event recognizing college and university students who create innovative inventions, promoting entrepreneurship and creativity.
What are the prizes for the winners?
Winners receive cash prizes, with first-place teams awarded $10,000 and runner-up teams receiving $5,000. They also earn a USPTO Patent Acceleration Certificate.
What kind of inventions are showcased?
Inventions cover a range of social issues, including health care solutions, environmental sustainability, and food safety technologies.
Who can participate in the competition?
College and university students can enter the competition, guided by their advisers, to showcase their innovative projects.
How does the competition support young inventors?
The competition offers mentorship opportunities with industry leaders, patent support, and financial awards, fostering the development of new ideas into marketable solutions.
