Serbian-American bioengineer Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic opened new horizons in regenerative medicine by developing a way of growing new tissue ex vivo (outside the body) using the patient's own cells. Vunjak-Novakovic's ground-breaking approach offers a safer, more precise and less intrusive facial reconstruction method and holds promise for replacing damaged lung and heart tissue.

German physicist Karl Leo transformed the electronics industry, bringing sleeker, brighter displays to smartphones and other electronic devices. Leo's pioneering work with semiconductors led to the development of the highly efficient, cost-effective organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) now found in the screens we use every day.

The tireless work of German scientist Metin Colpan over four decades has paved the way for rapid and effective genetic data analysis, enabling researchers to better detect disease and unlocking new therapies for conditions, including COVID-19.

An efficient, affordable and versatile solar cell film developed by Swedish innovators Henrik Lindström and Giovanni Fili is being used to power everyday self-charging electronic devices such as bicycle lights. Lindström, a chemist and technical scientist, and Fili, an entrepreneur, combined their complementary skills to pioneer the production of this innovative printed material and successfully bring their invention to market.

British brothers Ben and Pete Kibel have created an innovative pod that can prevent commercial longline fishing from killing thousands of seabirds. The Hookpod encapsulates baited hooks until they sink to a depth inaccessible to birds and has been shown to reduce deaths by 95% without affecting catch rates.