Innocentive Challenges (1st half of February)

Do you know someone who would be a great Solver? Forward this Challenge Bulletin to a friend, or share an individual Challenge below. Featured Challenges: Konica Minolta Challenge: Disruptive Technologies to Enhance the Way We Do Business Share this Challenge:   Konica Minolta is launching new innovation initiatives and wishes to identify disruptive technology business opportunities in the Information Technology space. How can new technologies be applied to enable businesses to deliver new or improved services to end users? It is also the intention of Konica Minolta to broaden its network of experts and technology visionaries – this Challenge is an opportunity to help shape the future of customer/end user engagement. This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award of $5,000 for at least one submitted solution. In addition, it is the intent of Konica Minolta to reward truly outstanding proposals with an additional sum, for a total of up to $10,000. Challenge 9933521 Deadline: March 14, 2014; 11:59 PM EST Reward: $5,000 Quantifying the Number of Post-Secondary Certificates and Certifications with Significant Economic Impact Share this Challenge:   Lumina Foundation, the Seeker for this Challenge, has issued Goal 2025 – to increase the number of adults in the United States obtaining high-quality, documented, post-secondary education from roughly 44% to more than 60%.  A key difficulty in measuring progress towards Goal 2025 is that there is no readily available, national data on the number of individuals who obtain non-degreepost-secondary certificates and certifications that significantly improve their economic circumstances.  This Challenge requests that Solvers provide novel concepts for determining this information using non-traditional datasets or data sources (rather than the US Census used for quantifying associate’s and bachelor’s degrees).  This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution. Challenge 9933173 Deadline: March 15, 2014 Reward: $10,000

Creating Stellar Support Services for Psoriasis Patients Share this Challenge:   Patient Support Services are a significant part of the patient experience when using pharmaceutical agents for debilitating diseases. These include the helpful information, refill reminders and support that are visible to the patient, as well as the behind-the-scenes services that support the healthcare provider (HCP) and enable rapid delivery of the treatment.  Psoriasis is a chronic condition characterized by red, itchy patches of skin. The disease spectrum ranges from a mild nuisance to a disabling condition, especially in patients who also develop arthritis. The focus of this Challenge is to identify how to create an innovative and best-in-class patient support service experience for a new product that serves the psoriasis patient market.  This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution. Challenge 9933531 Deadline: March 03, 2014; 11:59 PM EST Reward: $15,000 ARPA-E Challenge on Optimizing Biofuels: Non-Destructive Energy Measurement of Plants Share this Challenge:   The Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) advances high-impact energy technologies through sponsored activities such as the PETRO program, short for “Plants Engineered to Replace Oil.” The availability of cost-effective, renewable substitutes to fossil-based transportation fuels remains limited. A goal of the PETRO program is to genetically engineer new crops to produce fuels that can be extracted from the plant itself, in contrast to traditional research in the area that focuses on breeding larger plants. To do this most effectively, ARPA-E desires an innovative method for measuring the energy content within plant tissues in such a way that the plant remains viable for propagation. Such measurements would ideally quantify the total energy content of the plant tissues less lignocellulosic biomass. However, measurement of selected energy rich molecules, be they a specific compound or a class of compounds (e.g. volatiles) would be an acceptable secondary outcome. The award amount for this Challenge varies from $5,000 to $30,000 based on the breadth of compounds the proposed solution can measure. This Challenge requires only a written proposal. Challenge 9933435 Deadline: February 21, 2014 Reward: $30,000

Seeking Oxazin-4-one and Thiazin-4-one Analogues Share this Challenge:   Material supply of non-commercial compounds matching the shown core structure is desired. The Seeker has provided further details about the specific structures being requested in the Detailed Description of the Challenge. The Seeker intends to award multiple Solvers for each of their qualifying submissions. Intellectual Property:  In return for the Initial Transfer Fee of $300 per compound, you are expected to grant the Seeker only a non-exclusive license to use your compound for internal, research purposes (for example, researching the molecule’s properties or preparing derivatives of the molecule).  Challenge 9933227 Deadline: February 27 , 2014 Reward: varies Genmab Challenge: Pioneering Applications for DuoBody Technology Share this Challenge:   Genmab is looking for innovative concepts for the treatment of important human diseases with bispecific antibodies generated with its DuoBody technology. Therapeutic antibodies are revolutionizing the treatment of many diseases including cancer and inflammatory diseases. Bispecific antibodies provide an exciting opportunity for developing directed potent therapies, which are based on their dual binding properties. Genmab has developed a novel and versatile technology for the discovery and development of bispecific antibodies. This technology is termed the DuoBody platform. The goal of this Challenge is to leverage the DuoBody platform and identify pioneering concepts for the generation of bispecific antibodies for the treatment of human diseases. Genmab is also interested in identifying potential collaboration partners with innovative insights and proposals – research grants of up to $100,000 (direct costs) ­– are available for negotiation with the institutions to which winning Solvers are affiliated. This Challenge requires only a written proposal.Challenge 9933495 Deadline: February 18, 2014; 11:59 PM EST Reward: $35,000

Seeking Oxathiazine and Dithiazine Analogues Share this Challenge:   Material supply of non-commercial compounds matching the shown core structure is desired. The Seeker has provided further details about the specific structures being requested, as well as a reference for the synthesis of compounds in this class, in the Detailed Description of the Challenge. The Seeker intends to award multiple Solvers for each of their qualifying submissions.  Intellectual Property:  In return for the Initial Transfer Fee of $300 per compound, you are expected to grant the Seeker only a non-exclusive license to use your compound for internal, research purposes (for example, researching the molecule’s properties or preparing derivatives of the molecule).  Challenge 9933224 Deadline: February 27 , 2014 Reward: varies Easy Plasterboard Jointing Share this Challenge:   The Seeker desires an easier way to join plasterboards that significantly reduces the overall cost of the jointing process.  This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires a written proposal and experimental proof-of-concept data (and/or sample delivery).  Challenge 9933478 Deadline: March 19, 2014 Reward: $40,000

Seeking 4(1H)-Pyridinone Analogue Share this Challenge:   Material supply of non-commercial compounds matching the shown core structure is desired.    The Seeker has provided further details about the specific structures being requested, as well as references for the synthesis of compounds in this class, in the Detailed Description of the Challenge.  The Seeker intends to award multiple Solvers for each of their qualifying submissions.  Intellectual Property:  In return for the Initial Transfer Fee of $300 per compound, you are expected to grant the Seeker only a non-exclusive license to use your compound for internal, research purposes (for example, researching the molecule’s properties or preparing derivatives of the molecule).  Challenge 9933223 Deadline: February 24 , 2014 Reward: varies

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Innocentive Challenges (2nd half of February)

Do you know someone who would be a great Solver? Forward this Challenge Bulletin to a friend, or share an individual Challenge below. Featured Challenges: 3D Printing with Cotton Fiber Share this Challenge:   The Seeker desires proposals for 3D printing technology that use cotton fibers, or material derived from cotton fibers, as the printing material or substrate.  The Seeker is interested in ways that cotton can be used with currently existing 3D printing technology, or a novel 3D printing technology that uses cotton.  A futuristic application would be for the printing of apparel or other products, i.e., where an article of cotton clothing can be printed, constructed, or formed directly on a 3D printer.  This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.Challenge 9933198 Deadline: February 23, 2014 Reward: $7,000 Future Clothes Washing Technology Share this Challenge:   ALERT: Award increased to $40,000. New deadline is 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on February 14, 2014.  Conventional washing machines cause excessive damage and wrinkling to clothes primarily during the water removal step. With the introduction of high efficiency washers, not only has cleansing performance been improved, but water and energy consumption has also decreased. What if you were able to clean your clothes at home without using any water? The Seeker desires to revolutionize the laundry process with a novel technology that uses no liquid, creates no wrinkles, and does not damage clothes. This Challenge requires only a written proposal. The Seeker may consider further collaboration with Solver(s) who receive an award for this Challenge.Challenge 9933496 Deadline: February 14, 2014; 11:59 PM EST Reward: $40,000

The Lay's Microwave Challenge - from our partner eYeka Share this Challenge:   We would like to promote a challenge run by out partner,eYeka. From backyard BBQs and birthday parties to informal picnics, Lay’s (also known as Walkers, Smith's and Sabritas) is there to share the moments. It’s no wonder these delicious and perfectly crispy potato chips have been America’s favorite snack for 75 years. Lay’s is part of every party. Your innovative foodstuff should be central to an interactive experience; something that people can customize, personalize and share. But it seems that since technology is everywhere, family time has changed a bit… Picture this: members of a family are sitting together in a kitchen. Physically together but each of them is busy looking at their tablet or smartphone. They are together, but not connected. Suddenly, the elder brother takes a new potato-based product out of the microwave and puts it on the table. They all suddenly look up from their screens. It’s a salty snack to be shared, that each family member can personalize, customize and eat. It’s delicious and so inventive! It connects the family back together. It makes them share and talk, it creates bonding moments. Now, tell us: what is it? This is a challenge for designers, illustrators or photographers, with a guaranteed award for at least 3 submitted solutions .  Deadline: February 17, 2014 Reward: €5,000 Genmab Challenge: Pioneering Applications for DuoBody Technology Share this Challenge:   Genmab is looking for innovative concepts for the treatment of important human diseases with bispecific antibodies generated with its DuoBody technology. Therapeutic antibodies are revolutionizing the treatment of many diseases including cancer and inflammatory diseases. Bispecific antibodies provide an exciting opportunity for developing directed potent therapies, which are based on their dual binding properties. Genmab has developed a novel and versatile technology for the discovery and development of bispecific antibodies. This technology is termed the DuoBody platform. The goal of this Challenge is to leverage the DuoBody platform and identify pioneering concepts for the generation of bispecific antibodies for the treatment of human diseases. Genmab is also interested in identifying potential collaboration partners with innovative insights and proposals – research grants of up to $100,000 (direct costs) ­– are available for negotiation with the institutions to which winning Solvers are affiliated. This Challenge requires only a written proposal.Challenge 9933495 Deadline: February 18, 2014; 11:59 PM EST Reward: $35,000

Taking the Heat Away: Thermal Management Solutions for Electronics Share this Challenge:   The Seeker, a Fortune 100 company, is looking for a collaboration partner to help identify and develop materials or methods that quickly and cost effectively cool electronics in a variety of environments.  This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge; the Solver will only need to submit a written proposal to be evaluated by the Seeker with a goal of establishing a collaborative partnership. Challenge 9933385 Deadline: January 28, 2014  Reward: varies Seeking 4(1H)-Pyridinone Analogue Share this Challenge:   Material supply of non-commercial compounds matching the shown core structure is desired.    The Seeker has provided further details about the specific structures being requested, as well as references for the synthesis of compounds in this class, in the Detailed Description of the Challenge.  The Seeker intends to award multiple Solvers for each of their qualifying submissions.  Intellectual Property:  In return for the Initial Transfer Fee of $300 per compound, you are expected to grant the Seeker only a non-exclusive license to use your compound for internal, research purposes (for example, researching the molecule’s properties or preparing derivatives of the molecule).  Challenge 9933223 Deadline: February 24 , 2014 Reward: varies

Molecular Weight and Size Characterization of Soy Protein Share this Challenge: Soy protein is a high-quality complete protein whose physical properties are highly dependent on molecular weight and size.  The Seeker desires a method to characterize the molecular weight and size of all protein in a sample of extracted and isolated soy proteins. This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires a written proposal and experimental proof-of-concept data (and/or sample delivery).  In the absence of a proven solution, however, the Seeker may make a partial award of up to $10,000 USD for a purely theoretical contribution.  The Seeker may, at their sole discretion, attempt to reduce to practice a purely theoretical contribution.  If this reduction-to-practice is successful, the Seeker will make a partial award of $20,000 to the winning Solver.Challenge 9932994 Deadline: February 25, 2014 Reward: $30,000 Design of Novel Scaffolds for Inhibitors of Glutamate-Gated Chloride Channels Share this Challenge:   This Challenge seeks to identify novel scaffolds that lock in the open state glutamate-gated chloride channels.  The Seeker is particularly interested in receiving submission of molecular structures that are smaller and less synthetically complex than the known natural-product compounds that have this same biological activity. This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.  Challenge 9933208 Deadline: February 13, 2014  Reward: $10,000

Accelerated Application of a Super-Insulating Coating Share this Challenge:   The Seeker is looking to significantly increase the ease and speed of applying a super insulating material to large and complex 3-D geometries. A formulation of a pressure resistant matrix material that can be spayed or painted onto hard surfaces is the envisaged solution, but the Seeker is open to a large number of solutions as long as they meet the Technical Requirements listed in the detailed challenge description.  This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires a written proposal and experimental proof-of-concept data (and/or sample delivery). Purely theoretical solutions are also welcomed and these may qualify for awards up to $15,000 if they are judged to meet the Technical Requirements listed below. Challenge 9933494 Deadline: February 13, 2014 Reward: $25,000

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