So, you’ve got a big idea. Maybe it’s a thermal device that mimics photosynthesis; maybe it’s edible electronics .

No matter how far along in the development phase you are, now’s your chance to submit your product design to the annual “Create the Future” Design Contest (www.createthefuturecontest.com ) – a competition that rewards the grand-prize winner with a cash prize of $20,000 USD.

The contest is now open for submissions until July 2, 2018.

Now in its 15th year, “Create the Future” brings together engineers, entrepreneurs, and students in an effort to find innovative technology ideas that can benefit society and improve quality of life.

Last year's winners included a grand-prize solar converter from Cornell University, along with innovative designs like a conformal battery that takes any shape; a surgical device that connects arteries; and a robot that uses adhesion to inspect industrial vessels.

As you can see from 2017's "Create the Future" standouts, the contest features a range of entry categories:

  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Automotive/Transportation
  • Consumer Products
  • Electronics/Sensors/IoT
  • Robotics/Automation/Manufacturing
  • Medical
  • Sustainable Technologies

You can enter the contest for free, either as an individual contestant or as a team. You can also participate by voting on your favorite entry; the top ten most popular contest entries win "nanodot " magnetic constructors.

An independent panel of industry professionals will judge the entries. For more information on the official contest rules, go to www.createthefuturecontest.com .

(COMSOL  and Mouser Electronics  are principal sponsors of the contest. Zeus  is the medical category sponsor.)