February 2010

With his Master’s Degree in Biochemistry, Joseph Hawumba returned to Makerere University where he teaches biochemistry to science, medical, and veterinary students. He also carries out frontline scientific research and writes academic papers. Hawumba became a Problem Solver on IdeaConnection and was recently interviewed on his success.

What first attracted you to IdeaConnection?
The IdeaConnection concept is good because you collaborate, instead of it being one person solving a challenge. You are stronger when you are more than one and the solution becomes simplified. That was one of the major reasons that drew me to IdeaConnection because it attracts people from different fields to solve a problem.

Read more of Joseph Hawumba’s Interview, You are Stronger When you are More than One.

Become a Problem Solver with IdeaConnection and start working on a new challenge today.

Amos Winter, a MIT graduate student, has developed an innovative mobility aid specifically for developing countries. Conventional wheelchairs are nearly impossible to propel on the sandy roads and muddy walking paths frequently encountered in the developing world. The Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC) uses an innovative approach to solve this problem by assembling this wheelchair from available bicycle parts.

The LFC has a variable mechanical advantage lever drivetrain that enables its user to travel faster on tarmac and off road like no other mobility aid available. Human upper body force and power outputs were used to optimize the drivetrain geometry for optimal performance on a wide range of terrains. The LFC can easily be repaired anywhere in the 3rd world and costs less than $200 to build.

Check out other new inventions or sell your invention.

Just because it works doesn’t mean it’s pretty. Sometimes products are designed without questioning their actual target audience. Sure it rains all over the world, and yes, we all need umbrellas, and true, it would be nice to have our hands free – to talk on our cell phones and ride our bikes, but as the saying still holds, fashion before function people.

The Nubrella is the first hands-free umbrella and sits on shoulder straps to keep the top from pressing onto your head, and a strap in front that keeps it from blowing off. It is totally windproof and looks a bit like your own personal space bubble. People may laugh at first, but this invention may actually take off.

Check out other new inventions or sell your invention.