Japanese scientist Akira Yoshino is the father of the lithium-ion battery. His inventions now power nearly five billion smartphones, as well as drive electric vehicles and countless other devices .. For over 30 years he has been dedicated to continually improving his revolutionary technology.
Israeli computer vision expert Amnon Shashua together with his team - Erez Dagan, Yoram Gedalyahu, Gaby Hayon, Elchanan Rushinek, Shai Shalev-Shwartz and Gideon Stein - developed an advanced driver assistance system that uses a single-lens camera and cutting-edge artificial intelligence to spot and avoid traffic hazards in real time. Thanks to this invention, roads worldwide are now safer to drive.
Spanish scientist Margarita Salas Falgueras invented a faster, simpler and more reliable way to replicate trace amounts of DNA into quantities large enough for full genomic testing. Her invention based on phi29 DNA polymerase is now used widely in oncology, forensics and archaeology.
When it comes to cancer treatment, early detection is key. Italian molecular cell biologist and oncologist Patrizia Paterlini-Bréchot has developed a quick, non-invasive method that can find a single circulating tumour cell in a 10-millilitre blood sample – the equivalent of roughly one in 50 billion blood cells.
After years of trial and error in both their kitchen and the lab, British material scientists and passionate snowboarders Richard Palmer and Philip Green developed a material which is flexible but stiffens on impact. The unusual properties of dilatant liquids to absorb and disperse energy made this invention perfect for a wide range of protective applications.
German proteomics pioneer Professor Matthias Mann is revealing tell-tale signs of medical conditions even before patients fall ill. To do so, he has developed techniques to rapidly map the proteins produced in human cells. His inventions aim to help clinicians better predict, diagnose and treat illnesses.
An automated system designed by Dutch duo Alexander van der Lely and Karel van den Berg allows cows to decide when it’s time to be milked. The invention keeps animals happy and healthy; increases milk production; and equips farmers with diagnostic tools to operate more efficiently.
Polish software engineer Marta Karczewicz dedicated her career to inventions that enable fast, high quality streaming. Named as inventor in almost 130 granted European patents, Karczewicz's technologies have transformed the video entertainment industry and made video streaming on laptops and mobile devices available to a wider audience.
Austrian physicist Maximilian Haider improved the image resolution of electron microscopes by over five times, solving a 60-year-old scientific puzzle and revealing single atoms for scientific scrutiny. The electromagnetic corrective lens that he patented is now used in 90% of transmission electron microscopes worldwide.
French immunologist Jérôme Galon developed a diagnostic tool that helps medical staff predict the chances of recovery and risks of relapse in cancer patients based upon the strength of their immune response. Immunoscore® uses digital images of tumour samples and advanced software to measure the number of positive immune cells found at tumour sites. Its results have improved the accuracy of cancer prognosis and helped tailor therapies to individual patients.
