Engineers challenged to Create the Future

The grand prize winner receives worldwide recognition and a cash prize of $20,000 for an innovative product that benefits society and the economy. Previous contests have produced more than 12,000 design ideas from engineers, entrepreneurs and students in more than 100 countries.      

"Fostering technical innovation has always been a major part of our mission at Mouser,” said Kevin Hess, Mouser Electronics Senior Vice President of Marketing. “We are very excited to again participate in this important event for engineers and students around the world.”      

Last year’s grand prize winner was Hyliion, a Pittsburgh-based transportation company that developed a hybrid electric technology for semi-trailers. Hyliion's system adapted the trailer portion of the tractor-trailer combination to use regenerative braking to capture power, saving more than 30 percent on fuel and decreasing emissions by 10 percent.    

The Create the Future Design Contest brings attention to product designs that enhance quality of life, improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare or help to reduce dependence on nonrenewable energy sources.

Previous grand prize-winning entries include an economical rapid screening device to prevent food-borne illness and a wheelchair propulsion system designed to increase the user’s mobility while decreasing upper body repetitive strain injuries.      

The contest was launched in 2002 by the publishers of NASA Tech Briefs magazine to help stimulate and reward engineering innovation.The grand prize winner will be chosen from the winners in seven entry categories: Aerospace and Defense, Automotive/Transportation, Consumer Products, Electronics/Sensors/IoT, Machinery/Automation/Robotics, Medical, and Sustainable Technologies.