EU’s New Hero‑Level Award for Young Innovators
Think of it as the Caped Crusader of the invention world—only the cape is a patent, and the mission? Delivering cool solutions for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The European Patent Office (EPO) has rolled out this award to cheer on the next generation of problem‑solvers.
Why it matters
These budding geniuses bring fresh ideas to tackle real‑world challenges—like making our cities greener, securing clean water, and boosting economic growth without harming the planet. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning an eureka moment into something that outlives your coffee break, this prize is your golden ticket.
What the award includes
- Financial boost: A generous grant to help prototype and test concepts.
- Mentorship: Guidance from seasoned inventors and industry leaders.
- Publicity: Featured spotlight in EPO’s flagship publication and on its website.
- A networking network: A chance to meet peers, investors, and policy makers.
How to qualify
Applicants must be under 35, hold an active patent in the EPO’s jurisdiction, and demonstrate how their invention aligns with one or more of the 17 SDGs.
Call to action
So, if you’re 25‑ish, running on caffeine, and have a prototype that could change the world, apply now! The deadline is quick—think of it as a sprint, not a marathon.
Meet the Future‑Makers: 10 Young Inventions that Could Change the World
At a buzzing ceremony in Reykjavík, Iceland, the European Patent Office (EPO) dropped the mic on a group of 30‑under‑old geniuses who’re already rewriting the playbook for global sustainability.
Who’s on the Prize List?
- Rare‑Earth Recycling Hero – turning the pricey metal scraps from tech gadgets into reusable gold.
- Food‑Preservation Wizard – keeping our grub fresh without shouting “use me before the date!” on every package.
- Carbon‑Capture Bandit – snatching up CO₂ from the atmosphere before it can brag.
- … and seven more brilliant minds who brought a fresh spin to health, clean energy, and biodiversity.
Special Awards for the “Tomorrow Shapers”
Beyond the ten main prizes, the EPO handed out three extra golden tickets: World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians. These stickers highlight inventions that don’t just solve a problem—they spark a whole new way of living.
People’s Voice Takes the Spotlight
One of the finalists was voted “People’s Choice” by a crowdsourced poll. It’s the ultimate cherry on the sundae—your vote gave a spotlight to a project that resonated with the public, proving that innovation is not just for the academic elite.
Why It Matters
With 450 candidates worldwide, the EPO’s selection showcases what brains, tenacity, and a dash of curiosity can do for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From cutting-edge recycling to community‑level health solutions, these fresh faces are setting the tone for a greener, kinder planet.
What the Winners Say
- “We’re not just inventing; we’re redefining the future.” – a spokesperson for the Rare‑Earth Recycling project.
- “Cooking stays delicious—no more sad salads.” – the Food‑Preservation champion explains the joy of fresh meals.
- “Carbon? We’re hitting it like a pro.” – a bit of swagger from the Carbon‑Capture team.
And so the EPO opens the door to a future bright with hope, saying: “The young are the real innovators, and the world must listen.”
Capturing carbon emissions and redefining fashion
Meet the Earth‑Saving Twins: Neeka & Leila Mashouf
Guess what? The Nature Guardians prize didn’t go to some giant corporation— it landed on an unlikely duo: twin sisters from the US who turned a climate crisis into a cool new fabric. They’re the brains behind Rubi, a company that turns plain old CO₂ into super‑green fibers. Think of it as turning a greenhouse gas into a next‑gen jacket.
Why this matters
- Textiles suck up 8 % of global CO₂.
- Traditional cotton farming gobbles up land, water, and pesticide.
- Rubi’s enzymatic wizardry mimics how trees breathe — but it doesn’t need a plot of forest.
How Rubi works
Imagine a tree growing its trunk, leaves, and branches by sucking CO₂ from the air. The Mashouf sisters took that idea and replaced the tree with a lab‑grade enzyme cocktail. They capture CO₂, feed it through their “tree‑in‑a‑vial” system, and get cellulose fibers ready for textiles—all without the need for a backyard forest.
What Neeka told Euronews
“A tree breathes CO₂, turns it into wood, and grows tall. We replicate that work, but in a bottle. The end product is a fiber you can weave, but we never have to chop down trees.”
Why people love them
- They’re twin sisters, so you can brag about your “double the impact” teamwork.
- Their process runs on minimal water and land.
- It’s basically a rail‑road to a less‑polluted wardrobe.
So next time you rinse out your cotton hoodie, give a nod to the Mashouf twins and Rubi. Their legacy? A world where clothes are made from the very air we billow, no trees or vast farms required.
Biodegradable sachet to combat food waste
Meet the Trailblazers Who Turned Fruit Into a Lasting Adventure
Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita have taken the spotlight after snagging the Community Healers award. These Ugandan entrepreneurs pulled out of their farming familiarities to create a clever, biodegradable sachet that keeps fruit fresh for a surprising amount of time.
Why This Matters: Food Waste and the Planet
Did you know that food waste alone accounts for a staggering 10% of CO₂ emissions? That’s right—our shoddy bother with fruit is turning the planet into a hot kitchen. And now, thanks to Karpolax, we can stop that mess.
The Genius Behind the Sachet
- Made from plant‑based components.
- Slows the ripening process so fruits stay juicy, not mushy.
- Extends shelf life by up to 30 days.
How It Works (in Plain English)
Sandra says, “Karpolax is basically a bag you toss into fruit crates during storage or on the way to you. Inside, it nudges an active substance that stops the phospholipase D enzyme—think of it as the villain that makes fruit membranes decay.”
Quick Takeaway for You
Next time you’re about to toss out a banana, think of Karpolax as your secret sidekick. With a little burst of plant power, you can keep fruit fresher and help the world breathe a bit easier.
Recycling rare earths
Marie Perrin’s Green Gold: Reclaiming Rare Earths from Lamps
When it comes to turning everyday trash into tech treasure, Marie Perrin—her mix of French flair and American science has won the World Builders prize for a brilliant new recycling process.
Why Rare Earths Matter
There are 17 rare earth elements on the periodic table—think neodymium and europium—which are the secret sauce behind phones, laptops, wind turbines, and electric cars. But the earth’s supply of these gems is dominated by China, creating a geopolitical choke‑hold that could leave the auto sector choking for quality.
Marie’s “Magic” Solution
Instead of mining the planet’s bowels, Perrin’s team has figured out how to fish down europium from discarded fluorescent lamps. This method sidesteps the usual environmental damage that comes with traditional mining, giving us a cleaner, greener supply chain.
Key Take‑aways
- Building blocks of tomorrow: 17 essential elements for modern tech.
- China’s control: The giant that currently runs the rare earths market.
- New protein‑fast recycling: Pulling rare earths out of light bulbs, literally.
- Environmental win: Less mining equals less ecological mess.
- Geopolitical boost: European tech can shore up itself against supply bottlenecks.
“Recycling is a bit of a magic bullet—both geopolitically and environmentally,” Perrin told Euronews, reflecting on the dual benefits of her breakthrough. As the world leans heavily on battery‑powered solutions, solutions like this could help keep production lines flickering on without the heavy glare of old mining practices.
Smart food label
Spanish Scientists Turn Food Packaging into a Bacteria Detector
When a trio of clever researchers from Spain snagged the People’s Choice prize, they did more than brag about their lab work. Pilar Granado, Pablo Sosa Domínguez, and Luis Chimeno unveiled a biodegradable label that literally changes colour in the presence of bacteria, letting you know in real time if your cereal or cheese is still safe to munch.
What This Label Gives You
- Instant Read‑out: The sticker turns from calm blue to a fiery red when it senses harmful microbes.
- No More Guesswork: Forget those mysterious expiration dates—now the label does the brain‑checking for you.
- Food‑Poisoning Prevention: Spotting spoilage early means fewer stomach upsets.
- Waste Reduction: Help curb Europe’s 59 million tonnes of yearly food waste by keeping food out of the landfill.
Why It Matters
According to Chimeno, the award is “a recognition of our path” and a nod to the power of everyday solutions. The label is already on supermarket shelves, so you can start testing it next time you’re about to ditch that half‑used pizza slice.
Quick Takeaways
Say goodbye to blind expiration dates. With this biodegradable tag, you’ll know if your food is truly safe, right at a glance. It’s a small change that could save millions of tonnes of food across Europe—and keep our bellies happy at the same time.