2009 Regional Winners
Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association are proud to announce the 2009 ExploraVision Awards regional winners.
Grades 10-12 / Grades 7-9 / Grades 4-6 / Grades K-3
Grades 10-12
Carbon Nanotube Gecko Adhesives A super-strong adhesive material is created by harnessing the strength of carbon nanotubes and the adhesive properties of similarly-structured gecko feet. The advanced adhesive has an increased level of sheer force and capitalizes on the conducted property of the nanotubes to suit itself for applications in space and robotics technology.
Jericho High School , Jericho , NY
Left to right: Masa Fukakushi (Toshiba), Michael Zhou, Howard Su, Manav Kumar, John Anderson (TAF), Serena McCalla (Coach)
"CHANGE" Counteracting HIV/AIDS through New Gene Enhancement Project Change utilizes innovative gene therapy technology to cure AIDS. Special genes found in some humans and primates that confer a natural resistance to HIV and render the virus harmless are distributed to the population through viral vectors that deliver desirable DNA to cells.
Manalapan High School , Englishtown , NJ
Left to right: Tamura Taylor (Toshiba), Jeremy Puthumana, Mojin Chen, Tejas Srinivasan, Vaidhy Murti, Bharathi Srinivas (Coach)
Lumos LUMOS leverages a deeper insight to the mystery of the human brain. LUMOS uses MRI technology, a complex mathematical algorithm, and functional MRI to decode thoughts, skills, and motor actions by converting blood frequencies from the blood oxygenated levels of the brain to form pixilated images that might be useful in medical and crime and law enforcement applications.
Green Hope High School , Cary , NC
Back: Mark Plummer (Toshiba)
Front Left to right: Rebecca Townsend (Mentor), Daljinder Bhangoo, Farihah Ahmed, Brita Kiser (Coach)
HEARTt: sHDL Enabled Atheroma Reverse Transport Technology HEARTt is a specific, cost-effective, easily-administered treatment for atherosclerosis. Synthetic High Density Lipoprotein (sHDL) attached to a protein, ingested and released into the bloodstream, blocks plaque-forming Low Density Lipoprotein interaction with body cells, allowing sHDL to carry away the dangerous cholesterol in the plaque.
University Laboratory High School , Urbana , IL
Left to right: David Stone (Coach), Isaac Chambers, Danny Ge, Daniel Cheng, Tej Chajed, David Ansehl (Toshiba)
ECO (Emissions Control Options) A newly-designed low-maintenance emissions control system lessens the amount of carbon dioxide in automobile exhaust by reacting photosynthetic bacteria with carbon dioxide to release oxygen into the atmosphere instead.
Bartlesville High School , Bartlesville , OK
Left to right:
Shawn Frost (Toshiba), Amanda Cole, Emily Mueller, Meagan Schwegler, Colleen Bennett (Coach)
Photo Credit:
Braden Brown
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) Therapy A mutated animal virus (VSV) is employed as a cell destructor to improve the outcome of oncolytic virus technology cancer treatment processes. The selective removal of parts of the matrix protein of the cancer-destroying VSV virus inhibits the virus’ ability to infect normal cells, thereby increasing its efficiency in obliterating cells infected by Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Crystal Springs Upland School , Hillsborough , CA
Back Row, left to right: Orit Foord (Mentor), Thomas Bridges-Lyman, Halsey Hoster, Stephanie Young, Benjamin Considine, Ellie Brockman (Coach), Cathy Taylor (Toshiba), Marty Millington (Toshiba) Photo credit: Nena Montgomery
Grades 7-9
A Better Method of Testing for Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports: Nanobiosensors - A Lab on a Chip A Lab on a Chip is a discreet non-invasive, tamper-proof drug detection system designed to curtail the growing problem of the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. A small sweat patch worn on the arm of an athlete contains chemicalspecific nanotube biosensors that emit optical signals when receptor molecules bind with target drug molecules and signal the presence of illegal substances.
North Shore Hebrew Academy High School , Great Neck , NY
Left to right: Masa Fukakushi (Toshiba), Phyllis Serfaty (Coach), Bradley Garczynski, Mackenzie Berman, John Anderson (TAF)
OPEGS -- Oscillation Powered Energy Generation System OPEGS generates efficient, eco-friendly, usable energy from the impact of walking on a carpet. Based on the Faraday Principle of Electromagnetic Induction, continual application and release of pressure from walking activates the movement of a magnet through a copper coil imbedded in the carpet runner, creating a source of electricity for a home or commercial building.
Merion Mercy Academy , Merion Station , PA
Left to right:
Marie Wiggins (NSTA), Karen McClennan (Coach), Stephanie Furlong, Sharisse Sutherland, Kerry Candeloro,
Andrew Furlong (Mentor), Jeff Crammer (Toshiba)
Photo Credit:
Jeff Crammer
The ReTree is a tree seed injected with genetically-altered enzymes and hormones that enables a tree to grow in a controlled environment in less than three years. The ReTree forests provide an exclusive supply of trees to paper and pulp mills so natural forests can be preserved.
Thomasville High Scholars Academy , Thomasville , GA
Left to right: Laura Kornegay (Coach), Sophia Latz, Shradha Patel, Emily Bateman, Sarah Allen , Jodie Glaze (Toshiba)
SIHINS: Self Implanting Hemostasis Inducing Nano System SIHINS saves lives by eradicating the problem of hemorrhaging in thrombocytopenic patients. The artificial hemostatic system, made possible by the application of nanotechnology to a complex network of protein-based intra-system signaling and bioengineering, injects a self-implanting artificial organ that releases artificial healing-inducing platelets necessary to prevent bleeding out.
W.H. Morden P.S. , Oakville , ON
Left to right:
Melissa Moore (Toshiba), Manjot Sangha, Carmen Kruk, Tristan Walker, Vicky Mendonca, Ingrid Munson
(coach), Kiyofumi Kakudo (Toshiba)
Photo credit:
Sherry Lyons
S.I.C. camouflage body armor adapts to any changing environment to provide increased protection in military situations. The bulletproof, waterproof, form-fitting gelatin-like body-armor screen is wired to a computer that contains maps and other environmental data that controls the instantaneous change in screen design.
Saint Henry School , Nashville , TN
Left to right: Brian Pollack (Toshiba), Nick Gould, Ben Holzmer, Mark Carden, Brian Knoop (Coach)
S.M.A.R.T. Paint S.M.A.R.T. Paint is a decorative and safety coating applied to buildings, roads, Astroturf, and mechanical equipment that warns of black ice on roads, increases fuel efficiency, senses fires, officiates sporting events, and prevents pressure tank explosions. Radio Frequency Identification chips are embedded in the paint and work in conjunction with a multi hop relay circuit, a reader device and a sensor to signal impending danger or record sporting event activities.
West Salem High School , Salem , OR
Left to right:
Emily Curtis, Carl Kreitzberg, Claire Moreland-Ochoa, Madison Jones, Michael Lampert (Coach)
Photo Credit:
Rachael Dame (Toshiba)
Grades 4-6
Flexibone Flexibone is a liquid substance made from hydrogen, calcium, phosphorus and carbon that hardens to form an artificial bone when injected into a fractured bone site, providing immediate healing and relief. As the natural bone heals, the temporary Flexibone disintegrates, delivering vitamins and nutrients into the bloodstream.
Plainview Old Bethpage Middle School , Plainview , NY
Back Left to right:
Masa Fukakushi (Toshiba), Paula Engel (Coach), Jungmin Lee, John Anderson (TAF)
Front Left to right:
Matthew Fernbach, Tristan Martin
J.E.T. Stand The portable J.E.T. Music Stand improves the success of practice by organizing music lesson plans and notes, teaching music theory through musical games, recording practice sessions and offering feedback to improve the musician’s performance. The notebook-sized instrumental practicing system has a flexible, earth-friendly electro chromic display powered by solar energy.
Northside Elementary , Palmyra , PA
Back Row (left to right):
Charlie Giunta (Toshiba), Tony Rose (Coach), Valerie Plato (Mentor),
Front Row (left to right):
Elizabeth Holzman, Julia Plato, Taylor Carroll
Photo Credit:
Tracy Blunt
Ener-bahn Ener-bahn generates electricity from asphalt in paved roadways and thereby reduces greenhouse gases and the dependency on fossil fuels. Energy from the sun absorbed by the asphalt travels to a series of liquid-filled pipes and nanotubes that carry the energy, in the form of heat, to a turbine which collects the pressure energy and forces the liquid into a thermo-electric generator that captures the heat energy and converts it into electricity.
Guy B. Phillips Middle School , Chapel Hill , NC
Left to right:
Rob Frescoln (Mentor), Lisa Joyner (Coach), Derek Brown, Benjamin Senior, Allison Mahaky (Assistant Principal)
Photo credit: Cary Butler (Toshiba)
A.L.B.E.R.T. A.L.B.E.R.T. is a self-controlled device designed to assist autistic sufferers of emotional meltdowns. A brain chip monitors emotional outbreaks and transmits brain signals identifying negative emotional activity to earpiece and wristband receivers that discretely provide soothing sounds and sensations of touch to calm the sufferer.
Burnside Scholastic Academy , Chicago , IL
Back Row (Left to Right): Lemi-Ola Erinkitola (mentor) Maureen Tucker (coach), Al Bezirgan (Toshiba)
Front Row (Left to Right):
Jeremy Johnson, Terry Smith, Ryan Turner and Derrick McAllister
W.A.T.E.R. -- We All Transform Evironmental Refuse W.A.T.E.R. employs nanotechnology to reduce greenhouse gases and combat global warming. The atmospheric device incorporates nanofibers, gold, magnets and nanobuds into a 9-layer system to convert carbon dioxide and methane into water and other desirable products such as graphite, diamonds, and carbon nanotubes.
Joe Dan Mills Elementary , Austin , TX
Left to right: Krista Smith (Coach), Matthew A. Gaughan (Mentor), Matthew J. Gaughan, Patrick Maedgen, Jodie Glaze(Toshiba)
The Smart Cane The Smart Cane helps visually-impaired people navigate to desired locations while avoiding obstacles in their immediate path. The Cane uses GPS, Bluetooth™ technology and an optical sensor in the end of the cane to communicate information to the user and has the ability to dispatch emergency help if needed.
Fairmont Private Schools , Anaheim , CA
Left to right: Kathryn Baham (Coach), Tera Gilham, Justine Guzman, Victoria Nguyen, Rose Mary Mercer (Toshiba) Not in the picture - Amy Cho-Gilham (Mentor)
Grades K-3
Hips For Life (HFL) Hips For Life is a lightweight belt lined with an airbag and a built in motion equilibrium monitor and GPS-cellular microprocessor chip worn to prevent serious injury from an accidental fall. The chip in the belt buckle monitors velocity, acceleration, and equilibrium and, when sensing irregular imbalance and an impending fall, deploys the airbag and sends a signal to emergency personnel to warn of possible injury and the location of the patient.
Batchelder School , North Reading , MA
Back left to right:
Thomas Guthrie (Toshiba), Nicole Jackson (Coach), Anna Peppe, Elaine Mirasolo (Mentor)
Front left to right:
Emily O'Sullivan, Guiliana Peppe, Cassie Mirasolo, Jordan Thibedeau
Photo credit: Mary Ellen Murzyn (Toshiba)
HoloSmart Paper (Portable Smartboard) The HoloSmart Paper combines Smartboard, holographic, and e-paper technologies to derive a thin, lightweight, portable, and foldable all-in-one education tool that will take the place of heavy school books. By eliminating the bulk of the weight found in typical student backpacks, the HoloSmart Paper reduces back pain and ailments and the impact on a person with scoliosis.
Redeemer Lutheran , Oakmont , PA
Front (L-R):
Cullen Boyer, Steven Leone, Elizabeth Schinkel, and Sarah Ormay
Back (L-R):
Chikara Kennedy (Westinghouse), Kenneth Boyer (Mentor), Debra Terhune (Coach), Gail Holzer (Principal), and Eiichi Ono (Toshiba Corp)
Photo Credit:
Tom Lobaugh
The EpiWatch The EpiWatch provides a readily-available, more effective alternative to traditional allergy shot systems. The small, wearable, computerized EpiWatch contains special codes and micro needles that instantly deliver painless doses of epinephrine when the wearer suffers from a food allergy reaction and then utilizes cell phone and GPS technology to alert medical officials in the event of a serious allergic reaction.
Home School , Land O Lakes , FL
Left to right:
Jim Sardano (Toshiba), Colby Tomasello, Catie Tomasello, Heather Tomasello (mentor,) Grace Nobles, Marisa Meglino, Richard Hunter (coach)
Photo Credit:
Jerel Tomasello
Plastron 5000 will mine landfills for plastics that can be recycled, thereby reducing the need for landfill space and preserving petroleum resources used to make new plastic materials. The device detects and collects plastics and uses a molecule detector to classify and sort plastics before the machine delivers them to a recycling plant.
Western Row Elementary , Mason , OH
Back (L to R):
Patty Quill (science lab teacher), Jill Parsons (mentor), Amy Weiskettel (plastics scientist), Cindy O'Donnell(Toshiba), Karen Vome (coach)
Front (L to R):
Hannah Parsons, Francisca Mercado, Lily Hallum, Sydney Moeggenberg
N.T.C. -- No Texting Chip New cell-phone technology shuts down the text messaging feature when it senses that it is inside of a running automobile. The non-removable sensor in the cell phone improves road and highway safety by eliminating the ability to send text messages while driving.
John Ross Elementary , Edmond , OK
Left to right:
Heidi Walter (Coach), Ethan Brown, Edmund Paquin, Jacob Allen, Shawn Frost (Toshiba)
Photo Credit:
Jesse Olivarez
Project CTRIC Pathways CTRIC Pathways uses wireless electricity and alternate recyclable sources of energy to power automobiles. System grids with vibrating magnetic coils are mounted on existing roadway structures and transmit electricity to oncoming vehicles containing “matching” vibrating coil electricity receivers. Energy lost by a vehicle is absorbed and recycled by solar windshield guides that utilize photocells to employ electrical energy conversion.
Westwood Basics Plus , Irvine , CA
Back (L to R):
Sukhee Kang (Mayor City of Irvine), Stan Machesky (Principal), Ninad Chaukkar (Mentor), John Gustafson
(Coach), Chris Harrington (Toshiba), Laura Talbert (Toshiba)
Front (L to R):
Anika Chaukkar, Rahul Mohankumar, Roshan Mandayam, Dhruv Limaye,
Photo Credit:
Liz Hernan
