The Problem: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in Singaporean women¹ , accounting for nearly 30% of all cancer diagnoses. According to the Singapore Cancer Registry, 1 in 13 women in Singapore² will get breast cancer in their lifetime. However, 46% of potential patients avoid mammograms because of the discomfort and pain during the procedure³ , which prevents early detection of breast cancer.

The Solution: Driven by his mother’s uncomfortable experience during a mammogram, Luke Goh developed a first-of-its-kind tool that analyses individuals’ breasts to determine the optimal compression force required during screenings. It leverages Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to analyse the breast during mammograms, mapping the breast digitally in its software, and determines the optimal compression force required, which minimises patient discomfort.

By creating a more comfortable patient experience, Mammosense encourages increased participation in breast cancer screenings, which can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer and ultimately save lives.

Reflecting on his achievement, Luke said, “It is a tremendous honour and a significant milestone for me. This recognition not only validates the efforts put into addressing a critical issue in breast cancer screening, but also highlights the potential impact of innovative design solutions in healthcare. It’s incredibly gratifying to see Mammosense recognised on such a prestigious platform, and the exposure and validation from the James Dyson Award can help propel Mammosense to the next stage of development, potentially leading to broader adoption and positive changes in screening practices.”

The Problem: Visually impaired individuals often struggle to understand their surroundings due to the lack of visual information. This can limit their ability to detect obstacles and understand their environment, creating significant barriers to navigation and independence.

The Solution: Developed by students Sparsh, Manas Bam, Shrivardhan Goenka and Yajat Gulati, yaR is a small, wearable pendant that taps on artificial intelligence (AI) to help the visually impaired understand their surroundings and navigate their environment. Meaning “friend” in Hindi, yaR is meant to be a trusted companion for those who require visual assistance, enabling them to live more independently and freely.

The Problem: Traditional radiosondes that are used to collect weather data are often single-use, leading to high costs and wastage in the long run. The nature of how they are deployed, via weather balloons, also meant that data collection only occurs during its ascent. In addition, these radiosondes are not collected after its descent, leading to environmental pollution.

The Solution: Inspired by how maple seeds spin as they fall to the ground, inventors Shane and Danial from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) were driven to utilise similar mechanics to develop a more sustainable solution. airXeed Radiosonde is a reusable weather data collection instrument that allows for better control and greater efficiency and accuracy in weather monitoring, while reducing its environmental impact.

The Problem: Southeast Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, with rising temperatures and heat waves impacting the local communities. These unbearable temperatures often lead to an increase in the usage of air-conditioning units, to help combat the heat. However, this has led to an increase in energy consumption and demand for electricity, creating a vicious cycle which accelerates global warming.

The Solution: Brikoole is a passive cooling system designed to be integrated within a building's structure, using controlled airflow and evaporative cooling methods to reduce indoor temperatures without the need for external energy sources. Taking cues from ancient wisdom, the invention is inspired by natural ventilation systems like termite mounds, wind catchers, and Salsabil fountains. Brikoole employs a multi-layered approach, with strategically placed ventilation holes to achieve its cooling effect – reducing temperatures by up to 6.2 degrees Celsius.

Inventors of Brikoole, Nixon and Wayne, reflected, “Being a National Finalist in the James Dyson Award this year is both an honour and a responsibility. It's a recognition of our efforts to address a critical global challenge, but more importantly, it's a platform to showcase how innovative engineering can contribute to a more sustainable future. This achievement reinforces our belief that even small innovations can have far-reaching impacts on our world.”

The Problem: The rehabilitation process that stroke survivors face can be a long, tedious, and frustrating journey, making it challenging and often discouraging. Traditional rehabilitation methods, while essential, are sometimes perceived as monotonous and difficult to sustain, leading to reduced motivation and slower progress.

The Solution: NEAR Exergame enhances the stroke rehabilitation experience by integrating therapeutic exercises with gaming enjoyment, designed by Alexander Tan, Wei Jim Tan, Yong Jie Wong and Ying Heng Yeo. By making the recovery process more interactive and enjoyable, this approach not only motivates patients but also personalises therapy to their specific needs, ultimately fostering a more positive and empowering rehabilitation experience. Integrating therapeutic exercises with interactive gaming tailored to the patient’s requirements can significantly improve the recovery process for stroke survivors and others needing rehabilitation.

The Problem:Flooding has been a persistent challenge in Malaysia, affecting countless lives and communities over the years. As climate change accelerates, the situation is worsening, with rising sea levels and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns making floods more frequent and severe. Beyond the immediate damage to homes and infrastructure, the long-term effects on livelihoods, ecosystems, and public health are profound.

The Solution: Floodsack acts as a lifejacket for your belongings in a flood. The idea came when the inventors saw the quick response time needed during a flash flood and how many were caught off guard by its speed. Floodsack’s goal is to protect valuables by improving its weight capacity and buoyancy during floods while also developing a larger version for flood aid and humanitarian use. Additionally, the team is creating complementary products, including flood meters and related technologies, to give users more time to react to potential floods.

The Problem: Many hazards, including groundwater pollution and depletion, sinkholes, landslides, and soil liquefaction, remain hidden beneath the Earth's subsurface. These hazards can have devastating consequences for communities and infrastructure. Additionally, the subsurface offers untapped opportunities to solve problems in water use, energy, and climate change, such as groundwater replenishment, thermal storage, and carbon sequestration.

The Solution: RAMUN (Resistivity Acquisition and Monitoring of the Underground) is a groundbreaking underground monitoring system, offering a real-time video feed of the Earth’s subsurface. Unlike traditional methods, RAMUN can be easily deployed in any environment, providing valuable insights for engineers, decision-makers, and environmentalists. RAMUN can be seamlessly integrated into various settings, from construction sites to sensitive ecosystems. The ability to access real-time information about the subsurface is essential for mitigating hazards and optimising the use of underground resources.

Inventor of RAMUN, Joseph Aristotle De Leon, adds: “RAMUN allows us to explore the resources beneath the earth’s surface, and ensure that they are used sustainably and properly, to maximise its benefits for the masses. I hope that being the Philippine National Winner of the James Dyson Award will help make RAMUN a reality, with its sensors placed on every road, parking space, and open space, allowing people to understand what happens in our subsurface 24/7.”

The Problem: The Philippines, a vulnerable archipelago, faces a growing climate crisis. Frequent typhoons, rising sea levels, and other extreme weather events pose a significant threat to our communities and ecosystems. This urgent crisis is fueled by global greenhouse gas emissions, including those from the cement industry. The rapid urbanisation of the Philippines has led to a surge in cement consumption, exacerbating the industry's contribution to climate change.

The Solution: Created by Ynna Nichole Ilogon and Rodel Jr. Remolana, GeopolyCement offers a low-carbon and more cost-effective alternative to traditional cement, providing adequate strength and integrity while addressing the pressing issue of CO2 emissions in the construction industry. GeopolyCement is made entirely from agro-industrial wastes and pozzolan materials, refined by varying the silica-alumina ratio and alkali activator concentration. Moreover, GeopolyCement’s lightweight foamed concrete can provide better thermal insulation, potentially lowering energy costs for buildings.

The Problem: The Philippines faces a dual challenge: the increasing frequency of devastating fires in wood-based structures and the environmental impact of agro-industrial waste disposal. Wood remains a popular building material in the country, despite its high flammability, leading to a surge in fire incidents, particularly in residential areas. Additionally, agricultural waste, especially from agro-industrial sources, often ends up as pollution.

The Solution: Created by King Zhytt Driz and Alonzo Gabriel Limocon, Fire GeoPrimer is a geopolymeric intumescent flame-retardant primer coating for wood applications, using nanosilica and aluminum from agro-industrial waste and clay. It provides better fire resistance and protection for wooden structures, while also being sustainable and eco-friendly. It also provides a surface for paints to hold onto.

The Problem: The world is no stranger to climate change, with huge impacts on communities across the globe. A major reason for this is the carbon emissions that come from human activities such as manufacturing and the production of electricity. At the same time, increasing usage of non-biodegradable plastics is worsening the environment, as they are a huge cause of environmental pollution.

The Solution: Carbon Polymerizing System, aims to tackle climate change by exploring low-carbon manufacturing, with the goal to hit net-zero emissions. Designed by Saharat Chawaruechai, Sumeth Klomchitcharoen and Kanyapat Ploypradith, the invention captures carbon molecules to produce an environmentally friendly biodegradable plastic called polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), which can be used for a wide variety of applications including packaging and industrial use.

This revolutionary system uses bacteria to transform carbon from various sources into a plastic that decomposes naturally and safely. Unlike other plastics, which can take up to 80 years to biodegrade in the wild, PHB biodegrades in soil within just two weeks. This not only helps to reduce harmful carbon in the air but also results in a material that will not linger in the environment.

Saharat Chawaruechai, one of the inventors, said “The James Dyson Award offered me a golden opportunity to showcase my invention. I believe that the award will provide exposure needed to bring this innovative solution to the market and create a profound impact on our world. I also was eager to contribute to this legacy of innovation while inspiring others to pursue creative solutions to overcome global challenges.”

The Problem: Phuwadon Sa-Ngaimmeejaroen noticed two challenges in Thailand: waste management within the cannabis industry, and the high production cost of carbon nanotube (CNT), a material that is used in batteries and electronics.

The Solution: Phuwadon Sa-Ngaimmeejaroen decided to solve these issues by creating NANO HEMP. It utilises cannabis waste, specifically hemp core scraps which are rich in carbon, to create a sustainable and cost-effective method for synthesising CNTs. This will enable advancements in energy storage, biomedical devices, and advanced composites, contributing to technological progress and environmental sustainability.

The Problem: Common agricultural products utilise harsh chemicals, which pose severe threats to human health and the environment. These non-biodegradable materials and chemicals cause a significant amount of pollution which is extremely harmful.

The Solution: Inventors Jitapa Muangsiri, Chonthakan Phonmakam, Chanit Pitakwong and Sutthavit Budnont created PlantPoxy, an environmentally friendly insecticide fertiliser made from fungi that breaks down naturally over time, leaving no harmful residues. By encouraging the use of biofertilisers, PlantPoxy aims to decrease the reliance on chemical fertilisers, to significantly lower the environmental impact of agricultural products. This invention helps to protect and restore the environment, contributing to cleaner soil, water, and air.