A Therapeutic Molecule Foresight Tool That can Help Save Lives and Dollars
Company Merck & Co
Introduction Date May 10, 2017
Project Website
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Finding safe, non-toxic, and specific molecules to address a given research question is the dream of every Merck scientist. We propose a foresight mechanism that compiles various evidence from literature, clinical trials, and real-world data that can accelerate and focus this search process. By analyzing these resources together computationally we can produce a map of each therapeutic molecule and its association with genes, proteins, cell type, cell line, RNA, chemical entities, diseases, model organisms, bioassays, and other data that can be incorporated into our property graph. Such a map can provide grounds that we can further explore molecules and find the most specific to the question being asked. The MolecRank foresight mechanism provides a view of the feasibility of the under-development molecules in question, shorten some paths in discovery and development and rank, according to user-defined search facets, the most specific therapeutic molecules to scientists. MolecRank is a Machine Learning system to analyze these resources, extract and build a map (we refer to as a network) of molecules and their associated biological features. The network is further explored using means of connections from the molecules to whatever evidence of features found in the resources. We designed a network analysis algorithm that rank molecule, in a similar manner to that of Google ranking websites, but based on significantly different criteria. We establish our molecule ranking based on the following factors: * The specificity of the molecule * The toxicity of a molecule * The overall knowledge we assemble and aggregate about a molecule allows us to map a picture of its potential safety, efficacy, and risk of development. This weeds out all the non-relevant data to the questions asked.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
We have currently implemented a preliminary version of the work using a small subset of publications. The algorithm can be run and tested on Algorithmia: ["methods.merck.com/algorithms/hamedphd/MolecRank"]. This information would be pushing scientists to investigate new drugs in the right direction. It shortens the lifecycle of the discovery, eliminates the chances of failure, and cut the cost significantly. We are extending the scope of the algorithm to integrate clinical-trials data and real-world evidence. We also need to extend the scope from just Merck publication to all the drug-related publications (~5M+) and expand our dictionary of drug names. We are pushing the scope to feed in the molecules toxicity, substructure toxicity, and known side effects and interactions.
Who worked on the project?
Ahmed Abdeen Hamed, Ph.D., Computational Research Scientist Merck&Co.; Agata Leszczynska, Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Research Scientist MSD Prague; Mark Schreiber, Ph.D. Former Director of Scientific Data Platform Merck&Co.
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Aurora Clock
Company Bamtboo Inc.
Introduction Date October 11, 2017
Project Website
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Aurora Clock is an innovative voice-controlled hardware that redefines traditional wall clock. The concept is designed to bring the convenience of connected technology into your home. It is equipped with a circular retina OLED display which brings customizable clock face to suit any style of your room. Aurora Clock is also WiFi and Bluetooth connected to enable a bunch of useful features such as calendar, weather, music, news, notifications… etc.. With the built-in 4K UHD projector and impressive high-end speaker, you can enjoy immersive movies or TV shows right on your wall.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
1. Always-On Display Aurora Clock is equipped with a circular retina OLED display which works without a backlight; thus, it can be thinner and lighter than a liquid crystal display (LCD). The LED light ring is how clock visually communicates its status (such as notification, alert, error…) to you. 2. Hands-Free Speaker Aurora Clock has built-in woofer and tweeter to deliver crisp vocals and dynamic bass throughout the room. With eight microphones, beam-forming technology, and noise cancellation, Aurora Clock hears your voice command from any direction. 3. Aurora Connect Aurora Connect is designed for a faster, safer and magnetic wireless charging experience. 4. Magic Charging Pad This foldable charging pad can serve as clock stand or wall hanger. The 2-level support and USB-C wire can be easily pulled out and pushed back. 5. 4K UHD Projector With the built-in 4K UHD projector, Aurora Clock brings the immersive movies or TV shows right on your wall.
Who worked on the project?
Bin Wu
View the project video: https://vimeo.com/246962576
AVA Particle Physics Scientific Installation
Why is this project worthy of an award?
The main inspiration for AVA V2 comes from experiments, their data results and visuals that focus on particle physics, and the name AVA is derived from the surface-volume shape coefficient. Using particle size measurements, AVA V2 reflects the changing image of powder characterization using particle size analysis and cosmic rays. Since it was a scientific project, we spent a lot of time during the research and development phase. Inspired by Buckminster Fuller's iconic dome structure designs, we combined two mediums in one project: physics and architecture!
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
AVA V2 was a performance realized on a geodesic dome. This installation and its structure were designed with assembly/disassembly in mind, thus allowing the installation to be re-performed anywhere in the world in same conditions. We provided a temporal and spatial experience that integrated art, science and technology. http://tedxcern.web.cern.ch/particle-physics-scientific-installation-ouchhh
Who worked on the project?
Direction_Design_Animation: Ouchhh (ouchhh.tv) Sound Design: Audiofil
View the project video: https://vimeo.com/188716447
Bell Air Taxi
Company Bell
Introduction Date January 9, 2018
Project Website http://www.bellflight.com/company/innovation/air-taxi
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Bell is working to accelerate the large-scale deployment of vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOLS) in order to fulfill a shared mission of providing a safe, reliable transportation service to everyone, everywhere. Essentially, an air taxi service. We wanted to define a new era of flight, and from this idea came our strategy to build an interior cabin space that acclimates the passenger to the unique qualities of vertical flight. A relaxing, comfortable urban air transportation service designed for short-distance travel. The idea of this “new era of flight” led to the design and creation of the Bell Air Taxi, a sensational virtual reality (VR) experience built inside a futuristic, four-seat passenger cabin demonstrator. The Bell Air Taxi is a one-of-a-kind experience, powered by not-yet-then commercially available HTC Vive Pro VR headsets, that provides customers with a unique interaction with Bell’s future air taxi concept while it visually illustrates our imagination of the future of urban mobility. In conjunction with our creative partners, we simulated the passenger experience of what urban air mobility will feel and look like in 360-field of view. We incorporated augmented reality simulation as users could use their own hands to interact with their VR environment to write a text message, watch the news, listen to music, or simply look around the stunning, digital landscape. The unique interaction demonstrated our desire to stay connected to every aspect of life – from takeoff to landing – all while saving our most precious resource: time. After months of planning and anticipation, the Bell Air Taxi made its debut at CES 2018. We become the first major helicopter manufacturer to exhibit at CES. Our interactive booth and Air Taxi experience received an overwhelming amount of positive, organic media coverage, from The Verge, Cheddar, WIRED (who live-streamed an eight-minute experience video across their owned social media channels), Mashable, the very own Fast Company and won numerous Best of Show awards including WIRED and USA Today. Our social media exposure generated more than 1.5 million impressions and thousands of user interactions behind our #BellAirTaxi social media campaign. With a grand launch behind our backs, our communications team laid out a Bell Air Taxi travel plan for the year. Since then, the Air Taxi has traveled to HAI Heli-Expo – the largest commercial helicopter convention in the world, SXSW in Austin, Uber Elevate in Los Angeles, and is on its way for a global tour later this year. Our idea of changing the dynamic of short-distance urban air travel and its evolution into the new era of flight is the reason we believe the Bell Air Taxi is worthy of the “Experimental” award.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
We’ve designed our product, the Bell Air Taxi, to help define the logistical, environmental, and regulatory requirements for a totally new type of transportation that does not exist today. Our team designed the Bell Air Taxi with the Internet of Things (IoT) top-of-mind. We wanted the customer to experience every part of their connected life in the aircraft, with the connectivity that’s going to happen from the place they take off from to the place they’re going, with the ability to connect to the world below. The Bell Air Taxi will be an all-electric form of transportation, a challenge to us and our competitors, to research sustainable energy alternatives. Because of this, the Bell Air Taxi will start with a hybrid electric system to give us a broader mission capability set and pave the road for all-electric operations. What’s unique about our Air Taxi is what we call a powered lift vehicle, meaning that in vertical takeoff and landing, our Air Taxi will operate on rotating edgewise flight through propellers, or prop rotors, and then convert to a wing while it cruises to its destination like an airplane. From a mobility standpoint, the Bell Air Taxi is going to alleviate those tough parts of travel. Whether you’re stuck in a commute, need to get a home or across town quickly, all those things inside this demonstrator model are being looked at carefully. Built with class-leading comforts in the mind, our interior compliments a tech-forward cabin to deliver the seamless, connected experience far exceeding typical ground-bound rideshare. With a full suite of anticipated connectivity technologies such as video calling, Wi-Fi, artificial intelligence and wireless charging, passengers of our Air Taxi will have the option to fully maximize their airtime - already a fraction of their ground-bound commute - or to just relax and enjoy the view of the world below. The air taxi is not a new concept; Bell has been moving people over urban obstacles for decades with traditional rotorcraft. What is becoming “new” is the efficiency, affordability and regulations required to make air transport as available and reliable as running water. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is one of our partners, and we are in conversations with them now so we can understand the advanced technology of hybrid and electric propulsion of distributed propulsion for VTOL flight. At Bell, we are unlocking the potential of flight to solve the world’s biggest challenges – making the vertical dimension accessible to each of us like never before, and that starts with the Bell Air Taxi.
Who worked on the project?
Bell Strategic Communications Team, Bell Innovation Team, Sector 5 Digital, ROUSH
View the project video: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1syv-pyvPEPNnGlX76Ar8E3iLNqezMPuC
Bose Frames
Company Bose
Introduction Date March 10, 2018
Project Website
Why is this project worthy of an award?
At Bose, we’re on a mission to enrich the way people experience—and ultimately perceive—their world, every day. In creating a new product in an emerging category, we understand that the only way to get mainstream audiences to wear an amazing and innovative face-framing technology is to humanize it. We designed Bose Frames to give users ambient or immersive sound via a comfortable, socially acceptable form factor. They offer the privacy of headphones but without blocking your ears or signaling to others that you’re unavailable
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
This design allows people to put their screens away and be more present in the world. There is no display technology or cameras on the device. Additionally, Bose Frames are enhanced to work with Bose AR enabled apps, which can enhance your real environment by layering audio on top of your physical surroundings.
Who worked on the project?
Bose Development Team
View the project video: