Design
Combating urban loneliness: restructuring cities to encourage social interaction
The way communities are constructed in today's bustling cities exacerbates the loneliness many people feel. Andy Field, a British artist, observed a park teeming with people but with little connection amongst them while visiting Baltimore's Mount Vernon Place. Field's insights from his book, Read More...
Emergency shelter transformation for disability-inclusive disaster response
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) in Edison, New Jersey, responded to the dismal truth that emergency shelters were often inaccessible to individuals with disabilities, resulting in fatal outcomes. Carole Tonks, ACI's executive Read More...
A new era in STI testing: a tampon developed by a British firm identifies infection
Daye, a forward-thinking gynecological health firm, pioneered a novel way for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. Their groundbreaking STI diagnostic tampon, which includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, is set to change the way women think about their sexual health. It is Read More...
School boy's innovative smart spoon revolutionizes meals for Parkinson’s patients
Aarrav Anil, a 17-year-old robotics enthusiast from Bengaluru, India, channeled his enthusiasm for technology to develop a cost-effective and innovative solution that promises to improve the lives of Parkinson's patients. Aarrav set out on a quest that merged compassion, innovation, and robotics Read More...
Project Green Light by Google: transforming urban traffic for a cleaner commute
Google's Maps app tapped into a rich mine of everyday traffic data, which holds the key to changing urban mobility. This information, gathered from a wide network of Android devices and in-car navigation systems, offers cities a game-changing possibility to optimize traffic signal timings. Google's Read More...
How swimmable cities could change the face of urban cooling
DECEMBER 21ST, 2023 UPDATE: This solution is a Reader’s Choice selection of 2023! Thank you for nominating the solutions that left you feeling optimistic this year. Swimming in floating pools in the Hudson and East Rivers was formerly a popular way for New Yorkers to escape the oppressive Read More...
Innovative “self-cooling” walls address rising temperatures
This year, Houstonians witnessed their city reach a searing 109 degrees in late August, tying a historic temperature record. Temperatures rose beyond 100 degrees for the duration of the previous month, underscoring the critical need for creative heat-resistance measures. The problem is keeping Read More...
What are green roofs and should you consider one? The history and benefits of green roofs
Green roofs, a millennia-old notion, have grown from ancient customs into modern marvels of sustainable construction. These living roofs, which combine plants and shelter, have a rich history that inspires architectural creativity even now. Green roofs at the roots: from ancient practices to Read More...
Innovative nanomaterial inspired by butterfly wings offers colorful cooling solution
In a society plagued by increasing temperatures and concerns about the environment, biomimicry offers a game-changing solution to keeping cool. Scientists from Shenzhen University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University were inspired by the beautiful patterns found on butterfly wings and peacock feathers Read More...
Not Impossible—A new way for deaf individuals to feel music
Over a year ago, Daniel Belquer, a musician and theater artist, was asked to join a team whose objective was to improve the live music experience for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Witnessing these concertgoers' inventive workarounds, such as feeling vibrations through balloons or Read More...