There is seemingly no limit to human ingenuity. Whenever we think we’ve reached the pinnacle of what we can possibly achieve, someone comes along with new, innovative ideas that inspire a new wave of creative thinking and progress.
If you think we’ve invented all there is to invent, think again. New products and tools are being conceptualised and created all the time, each with the promise to forever change their respective industry. We’ve listed five of the most exciting inventors working today that you need to know about. Read on to find out more.
1. Angela Spang
Angela Spang is an award-winning inventor and entrepreneur who works in the healthcare industry. She is committed to improving patient care and outcomes by designing new medical tools and instruments.
Spang is the founder and owner of June Medical, a medical device development firm based in the UK. At June Medical, Spang spearheaded the development, design, and creation of a new retractor for surgery. The Galaxy II is a self-retaining retractor that can hold open incisions without the need for an assistant operator. This gives surgeons much more space and freedom to work.
The retractor’s hooks are made from silicon, giving it excellent grip and tension while minimizing patient discomfort. Additionally, it is made from single-use medical-grade plastic, which means it can be discarded after use and will not be a risk for cross-contamination.
2. Luis van Ahn
Luis van Ahn is a Guatemalan computer engineer who invented the CAPTCHA security program. CAPTCHA, which stands for Completely Automated Public Turing Test, was then further developed and renamed as reCAPTCHA.
The technology is used to differentiate between humans and computers. It works by prompting users to complete a simple test such as picture identification or handwriting translation. It has been instrumental in the fight against spam and bot-generated content online.
As well as reCAPTCHA, van Ahn co-created the language learning app Duolingo. With nearly 50 million monthly active users, Duolingo is the most popular language-learning tool in the world.
3. KatalinKariko
Hungarian biochemist KatalinKariko was the brainchild behind modified mRNA technology. Her work proved essential for the development of COVID-19 vaccines, and no doubt saved millions of lives as the world was gripped by the pandemic.
The vaccine uses artificial mRNA molecules to instruct the body to copy the virus’s spike proteins. This generates an immune response that helps the body fight off disease. The rapid development and delivery of vaccines would have been impossible without the work of Kariko.
4. JB Straubel
JB Straubel invented the process of creating high-density battery packs made up of thousands of lithium-ion cells. These have proved revolutionary for the automobile industry and are the reason modern electric cars have become so popular.
As we work towards a greener future, JB Straubel’s work will be vital.
5. Satoshi Nakamoto
Satoshi Nakamoto is a pseudonym used by the inventor of Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency based on blockchain technology that has revolutionised payment processing. Its decentralised nature means it is free from the control of banks and financial institutions, which promises to democratise the financial world.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
