2013 Popular Science Invention Awards

The editors of the magazine will pick 10 entries that "best represent the spirit of homegrown ingenuity and solve real-world problems in a practical, innovative way." Winners will be announced in the May 2013 issue.

Inventions must be physical objects, in the form of a working prototype. They must be the work of independent inventors or small teams, and should be "poised to create a market or disrupt an existing one."

Taking a look at the 2012 awards will give you a pretty good idea of the breadth of typical entries, which range from incredibly practical (a better lobster trap, a misting system for overheated firemen) to incredibly futuristic (augmented reality contact lenses).

There were also a couple of entries with an eye on sustainability. Frank Will's Over7 engine system, for instance, redirects and then heats an engine's oil, cutting gas consumption by 7% and emissions by up to 30%. Inventor Peter Brewin, on the other hand, came up with a design for a recirculating shower that uses a miniature treatment system to recycle 70% of the water used during a shower.

To enter, send a short description about the invention to [email protected], along with any photos, video links or outside testimony you think will be useful.

Source: Popular Science