5 Ws

5 Ws: Materials

5 Ws of Algae-Based Flip-Flops

Would you take a walk in biodegradable flip-flops?

5 Ws: Wearables

5 Ws of the Sign-to-Speech Translation Glove

People who use sign language could communicate directly with non-signers, without needing someone else to translate for them.

5 Ws: Materials

5 Ws of Slip-Resistant Shoe Coatings

MIT researchers are developing a shoe coating that provides a stronger grip on ice and other slippery surfaces.

5 Ws: Manufacturing & Prototyping

5 Ws Of LEDs for 3D Metal Printing

In the operating room, you can produce bioresorbable metal implants, such as screws for bone fractures.

5 Ws: Wearables

5 Ws of Bacteria-Killing Metal Surfaces

Bacterial pathogens can live on surfaces for days. What if frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, could instantly kill them off?

5 Ws: Sensors/Data Acquisition

5 Ws of the Infant Smart Jumpsuit

A smart jumpsuit accurately measures the spontaneous and voluntary movement of infants

5 Ws: Manufacturing & Prototyping

5 Ws of the 3D Skin Printer

The handheld 3D skin printer can deposit sheets of skin to cover large burn wounds

5 Ws: Sensors/Data Acquisition

5 Ws of PAWS Smart Headphones

Learn about the Pedestrian Audio Wearable System (PAWS), a low-cost, headset-based, wearable platform.

5 Ws: Materials

5 Ws of Microlattice Pads for Improved Helmets

With the new microlattice pads, players will have greater protection from both single hits and a series of impacts.

5 Ws: Imaging

5 Ws of 3D Modeling for the Visually Impaired

A touch-based display mimics the geometry of 3D objects designed on a computer.

5 Ws: Manufacturing & Prototyping

5 Ws of EarEcho

The biometric tool uses modified wireless earbuds to authenticate smartphone users

5 Ws: Sensors/Data Acquisition

5 Ws of the E-Tattoo for Heart Monitoring

A new wearable could make heart health monitoring easier and more accurate than existing electrocardiograph machines.

5 Ws: Photonics/Optics

5 Ws of Paper Unprinting

Who

Anyone using standard, coated paper in conventional printers.

5 Ws: Medical

5Ws of the Ear Infection Smartphone App

Who

Ear infections are the most common reason that parents bring their children to a pediatrician, according to the National Institutes of Health.

5 Ws: Energy

5 Ws of the Wearable Cooling and Heating Patch

Who

The patch — which serves as a personal thermostat — provides personalized cooling and heating at home, work, or on the go by cooling or warming the user's skin to a comfortable...

5 Ws: Transportation

5 Ws of PDK Recyclable Plastic

Who

Anyone who uses products made of plastic. The new recyclable plastic could be a good alternative to many nonrecyclable plastics in use today.

5 Ws: Materials

5 Ws of the Insulin-Delivery Pill

Who

Millions of people worldwide with type 1 diabetes.

5 Ws: Test & Measurement

5 Ws of Foldable Mechanical Devices

Who

Manufacturers across medical, space, aviation, military, and automotive industries could use the technology to build complex machines that integrate with surfaces to be very compact, but can deploy...

5 Ws: Energy

5 Ws of the Heart Energy Harvester

Who

Millions of people who rely on pacemakers, defibrillators, and other livesaving implantable devices powered by batteries that need to be replaced every five to 10 years.

5 Ws: Data Acquisition

5 Ws of 3D-Printing Piezoelectric Materials

Who

Piezoelectric materials are used in everything from cellphones and wearables, to robotics, energy harvesting, and tactile sensors.

5 Ws: Medical

5 Ws of My Skin Track UV

Who

The device can optimize treatment of neonatal jaundice, skin diseases, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and reduce risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

5 Ws: Electronics & Computers

5 Ws of the Lead-Detection Smartphone System

Who

Individuals needing or wanting to examine lead content in their drinking water on-demand and in virtually any environmental setting.

5 Ws: Sensors/Data Acquisition

5 Ws of Spray-On Antennas

Who

Manufacturers and users of wearables, functional fabrics, mobile devices, wireless routers, and Internet of Things devices.

5 Ws: Transportation

5 Ws of the SAFIRE Lithium-Ion Battery

Who

The Safe Impact Resistant Electrolyte (SAFIRE) fire-resistant battery can be used in consumer electronics such as cellphones, in drones and cars, and in soldiers’ packs.

5 Ws: Communications

5 Ws of Electronic Stickers

Who

Billions of objects ranging from smartphones and buildings, to machine parts and medical devices, to furniture and office supplies — any object that has a need to communicate with or sense other...

5 Ws: Test & Measurement

5 Ws of a Simple Nerve Gas Detector

Who

First responders, soldiers, and scientists in the field.

5 Ws: Imaging

5 Ws of the PHADE Addressing System

Who

PHADE could be used by government agencies to enhance public safety; for example, the government can deploy cameras in high-crime or high-accident areas, and warn specific users about potential...

5 Ws: Test & Measurement

5 Ws of the Injectable Alcohol Monitoring Sensor

Who

Patients in substance abuse treatment programs.

5 Ws: Packaging & Sterilization

5 Ws of The Sentinel Wrap

Who

Food manufacturers, as well as manufacturers of medical supplies and instruments.