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Euronews
5 days ago
- Science
- Euronews
Who will take home the Young Inventors Prize 2025 in Reykjavik?
When the European Patent Office (EPO) hosts the Young Inventors Prize 2025 in Reykjavik on 18 June, it will mark a milestone moment – not only for the ten scientists being honoured, but for the prize itself. For the first time since its inception as part of the European Inventor Award in 2022, the prize has broken out as a standalone event, offering a global stage for some of the brightest young minds using innovation to reshape our world. The ceremony, set for 18 June and livestreamed worldwide, will bring international attention to ten remarkable individuals and teams – all aged 30 or under – whose work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Selected from more than 450 candidates by an independent jury, these young innovators, dubbed 'Tomorrow Shapers,' are using science and technology to respond to some of the planet's most pressing challenges, from climate resilience and circular economies to healthcare equity and food security. Watch the event live on 18 June and meet the next generation of inventors on the player above. While the event in Reykjavik will showcase all ten 'Tomorrow Shapers', it will also reveal three special prize winners. The 'World Builders' prize will recognise those driving sustainability and resource accessibility; 'Community Healers' will celebrate innovations ensuring equality and access to life's essentials; and 'Nature Guardians' will highlight those protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. One additional finalist will be crowned the People's Choice winner, selected by an online public vote. All finalists will receive €5,000, with special prize winners taking home an additional €15,000. The People's Choice award also includes a €5,000 prize. EPO President António Campinos described the awards as a celebration of possibility. 'Young inventors are the architects of a brighter tomorrow, bringing fresh perspectives and bold solutions to the world's most daunting challenges,' he said, 'By celebrating their achievements, we not only honour their ingenuity but also underline the transformative power of technologies and science in shaping a sustainable future and inspiring generations to come.' The innovations being honoured are as diverse as they are ingenious. In Uganda, Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita have developed a biodegradable sachet that slows the ripening of fruit, helping to reduce food waste and extend the shelf life of produce – a vital support for smallholder farmers. Meanwhile, in Austria, Franziska Kerber is taking on the global e-waste crisis with her design of paper-based electronic parts that dissolve easily, making it simpler to extract valuable metals from discarded devices such as WiFi routers. From the Philippines, aeronautical engineer Mark Kennedy Bantugon has created a sustainable aircraft sealant derived from discarded Pili Tree resin – offering a cleaner, less toxic alternative to standard petrochemical sealants. In France and the United States, chemist Marie Perrin is rethinking rare earth recycling by developing a safer method for extracting europium from old fluorescent lamps, a resource critical to lighting and electronics. And from Slovenia, Teja Potočnik is pioneering a more efficient path for the future of electronics. Her automated platform supports the manufacture of nanomaterial-based semiconductor devices, a crucial step in enabling the next generation of microchips. Biotechnology is another standout area this year. Lithuanian researchers Laurynas Karpus, Vykintas Jauniškis, and Irmantas Rokaitis have harnessed artificial intelligence to create a platform that designs custom enzymes, potentially transforming everything from pharmaceutical manufacturing to industrial bioprocesses. Food safety also features on the agenda, thanks to Spanish inventors Pilar Granado, Pablo Sosa Domínguez, and Luis Chimeno. Their smart, biodegradable food labels change colour based on freshness, allowing consumers and retailers to reduce food waste and avoid spoilage-related illnesses. In the maritime sector, Swedish-Canadian engineer Alisha Fredriksson and Chinese engineer Roujia Wen have addressed one of shipping's biggest problems: emissions. Their modular carbon capture system binds CO₂ from ships' exhausts with a lime-based sorbent to form solid limestone pellets – an innovative solution that could significantly reduce maritime emissions without the need to replace entire fleets. Over in the United States, twin sisters Neeka and Leila Mashouf have developed a way to convert waste CO₂ into cellulose pulp, a material that can be used for sustainable textiles and packaging. Their process holds promise for reducing carbon emissions while producing biodegradable materials to meet growing industrial demand. Air pollution has met a worthy challenger in Colombian entrepreneur Mariana Pérez, who has designed a Direct Air Capture system capable of extracting CO₂, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide from the atmosphere. Her design also enables captured pollutants to be converted into biodegradable materials, turning air pollution into something productive. When you think of global innovation powerhouses, your mind might jump to Silicon Valley or Shenzhen – but on 18 June, all eyes will turn to Reykjavik and the ten trailblazing young minds honoured there.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3D Systems' Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer for Regenerative Medicine, Chuck Hull, Elected to the National Academy of Engineering
Chuck Hull ROCK HILL, S.C., Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) announced Charles (Chuck) Hull, its co-founder and chief technology officer for regenerative medicine, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions in at least one of the following categories: 'engineering practice, research, or education,' 'pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or development/implementation of innovative approaches to engineering education,' or 'engineering leadership of one or more major endeavors." NAE members are among the world's most accomplished engineers from business, academia, and government. Mr. Hull is being honored for the invention of 3D printing and the subsequent development of the additive manufacturing industry. "It is humbling to be elected to this academy of distinguished engineers,' said Mr. Hull. 'I'm honored and excited to serve and work alongside such outstanding professionals to advance the positive impact engineering has on our world." Mr. Hull pioneered the development of 3D printing while Vice President of Engineering at UVP, Inc. (now Analytik Jena), a manufacturer of ultraviolet light sources. His work on fusing UV resins into 3D structures for prototyping led to the creation of the first 3D-printed part, an eye wash cup, in 1983 using Stereolithography (SLA). He patented this technology and subsequently co-founded 3D Systems in 1986, launching the first commercial 3D printer, the SLA-1, and thus establishing the 3D printing industry. Mr. Hull's groundbreaking invention has earned him numerous accolades. In October of 2023, he received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) from President Joe Biden. Established in 1980, the NMTI is the United States' highest honor for technological achievement, awarded by the President of the United States for outstanding contributions to America's economic, environmental, and social well-being. Mr. Hull was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (2014) and received the European Inventor Award (2014) for his transformative impact. His contributions have also been recognized with the Manufacturing Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), the ASME's designation of the SLA-1 as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, and The Economist's 2013 Innovation Award. With 85 US patents and numerous international patents in ion optics and 3D printing, Mr. Hull's legacy as an inventor is firmly established. 'On behalf of the entire 3D Systems team, it is my pleasure to extend our deepest congratulations to Chuck for this honor,' said Dr. Jeffrey Graves, president & CEO, 3D Systems. 'His pioneering work has revolutionized manufacturing and profoundly impacted healthcare delivery. Chuck's invention of Stereolithography not only launched an entire industry but also sparked the proliferation of numerous applications for 3D printing technologies. Whether we look at aerospace, personalized healthcare solutions, AI infrastructure, or the automotive industry, 3D printing is playing a significant role in how these industries innovate. Thanks to Chuck's groundbreaking initial innovation with SLA, we are transforming manufacturing and patient care for a better future.' Mr. Hull is among 128 new members and 22 international members in the NAE Class of 2025. Elected by their peers, the ballot for this class was set in December and the final vote took place in January. He and his class will be formally inducted during the NAE's Annual Meeting on October 5, 2025. Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "may," "will," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon management's beliefs, assumptions, and current expectations and may include comments as to the company's beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as of the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. About 3D Systems More than 35 years ago, 3D Systems brought the innovation of 3D printing to the manufacturing industry. Today, as the leading additive manufacturing solutions partner, we bring innovation, performance, and reliability to every interaction - empowering our customers to create products and business models never before possible. Thanks to our unique offering of hardware, software, materials, and services, each application-specific solution is powered by the expertise of our application engineers who collaborate with customers to transform how they deliver their products and services. 3D Systems' solutions address a variety of advanced applications in healthcare and industrial markets such as medical and dental, aerospace & defense, automotive, and durable goods. More information on the company is available at Investor Contact: Contact: press@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
