//2007 National Winners
Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association are proud to announce the 2007 ExploraVision Awards national winners.
Grades 10-12 / Grades 7-9 / Grades 4-6 / Grades K-3
Grades 10-12
First Place
SCNCM (Self Constructing Nano-Collector Molecules) employs nanotechnology in the design of a dialysis system that uses recycling self–assembling molecules to locate and clean impurities in the blood and deposit the foreign bodies into an artificial kidney before being eliminated into the urinary system. The resulting system will be more efficient and less intrusive than conventional dialysis techniques.
Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant, SC
Left to right: Deborah Kennedy (Coach), Lucy Beckham (Principal), Joseph Rivers (Student), Jonathan Heywood (Student), Christopher Mullin (Student), Jon Arvik (Toshiba), Kevin Bunting (Mentor); not pictured
Second Place
Nano Mist applies anti-cancer technologies in a drug that continuously monitors and regulates glucose levels to improve the quality of life for diabetics. Dispensed from an inhalant once per month and time–released, receptors on nano–sized liposomes containing insulin particles bind with excess glucose in the blood and trigger the release of insulin from the liposome.
Edison Academy, Westerville, OH
Back row, left to right: Donna Tanner (Coach), Michael Vawter (Student), Mark David Wright (Student), David Sutherland (Toshiba); Front row, left to right: Gail Vawter (Mentor), Michelle Vawter (Student), Sarah Brown (Student)
Grades 7-9
First Place
Passenger Tire Waste Heat Recovery System employs nanotechnologies to recycle heat energy lost from automobile tire deformation while an automobile is in motion. The heat from the tires generates radiation from a nano quantum dot; nano photovoltaic cells convert the radiation to electricity; and a super nano lattice diverts the electricity to the car battery to provide power for the vehicle, reduce the need for gasoline, and decrease atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Merion Mercy Academy, Merion, PA
Left to right: Lori Lesutis (Coach), Saara-Anne Azizi (Student), Anne Foley (Mentor), Rebecca Daily (Student), Alicia Dlugos (Student), Stephanie Kan (Student), Bob Kutulis (Toshiba)
Second Place
Bisungi Pani (Bangla), Pure Water (English) is an efficient, low-cost individual water purifying tube that uses virus-fighting polymers and molecular-imprinting technologies to kill pathogens and filter toxic metals such as arsenic in water to provide safe drinking water in areas where millions of people suffer from waterborne diseases and metal contamination. The PureWater drinking tube has an environmentally conscious design that can be recycled for use as a structural base in the construction of homes.
John Burroughs School, St. Louis, MO
Left to right: Harold Harris (Mentor), Paul Cox (Toshiba), Anna Ghnouly (Student), Jack Welsh (Student), Elise Riley (Student), – Harris (Coach)
Grades 4-6
First Place
D.A.P.E.S. (Diabetes Assistance and Prevention E-System) implants a nanosensor in a tooth to analyze harmful food intake for adolescent diabetics. The nanosensor continuously monitors and provides information such as sugar levels to a portable electronic system via wireless communication and warns or rewards children according to their consumption patterns.
Discovery School, Edinburg, TX
Back row, left to right: Karen Lozano (Mentor), Raquel Duberney-Guerrero (Coach), Isabella Soto (Student), Adam Tabak (Student); Front row, left to right: Bianca Mujica (Student), Jorge Vidal (Student), Mark Fowler (Toshiba)
Second Place
The F.D.A. (Freedom from Drug Addiction) Vaccine attaches protein molecules to drug molecules and alerts the body's immune system to the presence of foreign molecules and immunizes it against the drug's addictive properties. The system helps the immune system to identify drug molecules that were previously undetectable due to their minute size.
VAAD Academy, Vancouver, BC
Back row, left to right: Elazar Reshef (Coach), Holborn Chun (Mentor), Steve Sull (Toshiba); Front row, left to right: In Seok Oh (Student), Junho Paek (Student), Minsoo Kim (Student)
Grades K-3
First Place
PALSS: (Polymer Activated Life Saver System) saves lives while reducing property damage associated with conventional fire extinguishing systems. Compact polymer crystals trap water and expand to form a blanket that smothers fire and prevents water damage to building interiors and furnishings while providing for easier cleanup following a fire.
Adobe Bluffs Elementary, San Diego, CA
Back row, left to right: Stacey Lamb (Coach), Frank De Clercq (San Diego Fire Rescue Department), Cindy De Clerq (Principal), George Nelson (Toshiba); Front row, left to right: Cameryn Cousar (Student), Kian Faizi (Student), David Mao (Student)
Second Place
The Sonic Brush Guard is a custom-fit, motorized, mouth guard-shaped toothbrush that will brush all of the user's teeth at once to provide advanced dental hygiene. The battery-operated Sonic Brush Guard also plays a song to signal when brushing is complete.
Marsh Elementary School, Rockford, IL
Left to right: Jason Blythe (Toshiba), Margaret Babb (Coach), Michael Juarez, Jr. (Student), Lana Anderson (Student), Amanda Sanchez (Student), Tucker Polnow (Student), Mark Anderson (Mentor)