InnoCentive > Challenges

Optical Measurements of Inflammatory Markers

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:35:35 GMT

The Seeker requires proposals describing optical or spectroscopic measurement technologies that have been, or could be, applied to measuring physiological markers of inflammation in living organisms. Proposals supported by citations from the literature (patent, commercial & scientific) are requested.

This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.

Challenge Reward: $7,500 USD Deadline: Jun 16, 2012

Spectroscopic Measurements of Skin Physiology

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:35:09 GMT

The Seeker requires proposals or reviews of spectroscopic measurement technologies that could be applied to measuring physiological markers in skin.. The goal is to enable measurement of markers at the molecular or cellular level. Gross measurements of morphology, color or temperature are not of interest. Comprehensive reviews or proposals supported by citations from the literature (patent, commercial & scientific) are preferred.

This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.

Challenge Reward: $7,500 USD Deadline: Jun 16, 2012

Seeking 3-Oxo-1,2,4-thiadiazolidin-5-ones and Sulfur or Nitrogen Analogues

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:36:39 GMT

Material supply of non-commercial compounds matching the shown core structure is desired. The Seeker intends to award multiple Solvers for each of their qualifying submissions. The Seeker has provided references for known synthetic routes to this class of compounds, which typically involves a simple condensation between an isocyanate and an isothiocyanate.

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 Reward: varies Deadline: Jun 15, 2012

Greasing the Power Grid: Finding a Faster Path to Plugging in Generators and Delivering Energy

Tue, 08 May 2012 22:48:32 GMT

Southwest Power Pool is a not-for-profit, federally regulated regional transmission organization (RTO). We are responsible for grid operations for the electric utility industry covering 9 states in southwestern USA. We receive hundreds of requests each year from energy suppliers and users for interconnection and transmission services. We are searching for process improvements to speed up our response to requests and to improve our accuracy for predicting costs for customers.

Challenge Reward: $15,000 USD Deadline: Jul 08, 2012

Safe Containment or Processing of Human Waste in Emergency Situations

Thu, 03 May 2012 19:31:52 GMT

Natural or man-made disasters often occur rapidly and result in large numbers of displaced people, often gathered in urban areas. This creates challenges for the disposal of human waste, especially when ground is not amenable to digging latrines. The Seeker requires a solution for the containment, or processing, of human waste that reduces the health risks. This Challenge is sponsored by the Humanitarian Innovation Fund through a partnership between ELRHA and ALNAP.

This Challenge requires only a written proposal.

Challenge Reward: $15,000 USD Deadline: Jul 03, 2012

The 2012 Sustainability Summit Innovation Challenge – Driving Sustainability & Diversity

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:36:21 GMT

Do you have an innovative product or service that can benefit a sustainable supply chain, that also brings benefits to urban and rural communities and promotes job creation? Would you like to gain exposure to more than 200 Fortune 500 companies at a high profile event in New York City on October 9, 2012?

If you represent a minority or diverse business with such a product or service, this is your chance to receive National (United States) recognition, press coverage, publicity at events, and gain an opportunity to have any of the hundreds of corporations looking to build their brand and become your core customers! However, cash prizes may only be made to businesses that are MBE certified anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico by July 30. Not certified? No problem, The Council will “Fast-Track” Solver applications within 10 days if your company is based in New York or New Jersey. If outside the New York / New Jersey region, MBE certification can be obtained through any regional council under the National Minority Supplier Development Council. This is an Ideation Sustainability Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.

Challenge Reward: $10,000 USD Deadline: Jul 30, 2012

Retirement Security in this Day and Age

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

How do we best get people to understand how important it is to plan for, and take specific action steps today, to create a steady and reliable stream of income for their retirement years? What would be the best, most compelling way to spur people to take important action for themselves TODAY in this very important arena - in a way that does not overwhelm people with the complex issues involved in this topic?

Challenge Reward: $750 USD Deadline: May 27, 2012

Seeking Nitrile-Substituted Pyridine-2-carboxaldehydes

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:21:13 GMT

Material supply of non-commercial compounds matching the shown core structure is desired. The Seeker intends to award multiple Solvers for each of their qualifying submissions.

Intellectual Property: In return for the Initial Transfer Fee of $600 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 Reward: varies Deadline: May 26, 2012

Neutralization of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) with Metallic Properties

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:26:19 GMT

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition statistically have 2/3 with semiconductor properties and 1/3 with metallic properties. We are looking for ways to remove or electronically neutralize CNT’s with metallic properties such that the CNT array acts as a semiconductor.

Challenge Reward: $50,000 USD Deadline: Jul 24, 2012

A Trustworthy Mechanism to Identify Private vs. Public Information

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:12:28 GMT

Propose a trustworthy mechanism to distinguish private vs. public information in a massive stream of online information.

This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.

Challenge Reward: $10,000 USD Deadline: May 21, 2012

Durable Dielectric Coatings on Polycarbonate

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:48:10 GMT

A Dielectric coating and process is required to apply a “hot mirror” (filter) to a polycarbonate substrate. The coating must be rugged and maintain performance under specific environmental conditions.

This Challenge requires only a written proposal.

Challenge Reward: $25,000 USD Deadline: Jun 18, 2012

Encore Pets: Marketing ideas needed for nonprofit to reach elusive pet owners

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Our local volunteer pet rescue organization has been able to purchase a mobile spay/neuter clinic to serve our largely rural sparsely populated county. We have made significant gains in regards to pet overpopulation in the larger towns of the county, but still have a large segment of residents who we have not reached or convinced to spay/neuter their pets.

How does a non-profit organization with a limited budget effectively reach pet owners who rarely use veterinarians, are not required to register pets, typically do not read the local newspaper or listen to local media news, and rarely participate in local community events in order to convince them to use our low cost spay/neuter services?

Challenge Reward: $500 USD Deadline: May 16, 2012

Stand Alone Field Measurement of Atmospheric Benzene & Butadiene

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:05:33 GMT

A method or technology is required that will enable sensitive, reproducible and rapid field-based monitoring of atmospheric benzene & 1,3 butadiene at low concentrations. These potent toxins needs to be detected in very low concentrations and the most sensitive methods of analysis currently require laborious sample collection and processing using laboratory-based instruments.

This Challenge requires only a written proposal.

Challenge Reward: $30,000 USD Deadline: Jun 04, 2012

A Scalable System to Track Electronic Waste

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:51:18 GMT

How can waste from electronics (e-waste) be tracked most efficiently from collection to final destination? Describe a scalable process or distributed device that would allow producers to follow the flow of e-waste from a customer site through the waste stream to final disposal.

This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.

Challenge Reward: $10,000 USD Deadline: Jun 03, 2012

Identification of an Early Lead Compound for the Treatment of Dengue

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:51:37 GMT

The Seeker, 60°Pharmaceuticals, is looking for collaboration partners for identification of an early lead compound for the treatment of dengue.

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 Reward: varies Deadline: Jun 04, 2012

Design of Novel Scaffolds for Inhibitors of Complex III (a.k.a. Cytochrome bc1, EC 1.10.2.2)

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:26:33 GMT

This Challenge seeks to identify novel scaffolds for inhibitors of Complex III (a.k.a. Cytochrome bc₁ or Coenzyme Q:cytochrome c – oxidoreductase; EC 1.10.2.2). The Seeker is also interested in obtaining insight into recent advances in molecular modeling. They will therefore award solutions based on both their interest in the specific scaffolds as well as the novelty and validity of the modeling performed to arrive at the scaffolds. The Seeker may consider ongoing collaboration with the winning Solver(s) of this Challenge on both this project as well as future molecular modeling efforts.

This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.

Challenge Reward: $15,000 USD Deadline: Jun 03, 2012

Better Protein Drinks: Increasing the Dispersibility of Proteins

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:59:58 GMT

In response to customer demands, the Seeker desires a method for increasing the dispersibility of concentrated proteins in water. A simple experiment that Solvers can perform at home is provided that will allow Solvers to test their potential solutions.

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 $20,000 USD for a purely theoretical contribution.

Challenge Reward: $40,000 USD Deadline: May 30, 2012

Animal Models of Back Pain

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:32:14 GMT

The Seeker is looking for animal models of back pain.

This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires a written proposal and experimental proof-of-concept data (and/or sample delivery).

Challenge Reward: $60,000 USD Deadline: Jul 01, 2012

Lending to Business Owners Who Were Denied a Microloan

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:36:41 GMT

This Challenge, sponsored by ACCION Texas Inc. (http://www.acciontexas.org/), is looking for a tool for risk assessment of people and organizations that were denied a microloan for their business.

This Challenge requires only a written proposal

Challenge Reward: $40,000 USD Deadline: May 30, 2012

Measuring or Modeling Changes in Small-Scale Surface Normals

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:32:30 GMT

A novel method or technology is required to measure or predict the visual appearance of surface topologies to which thin films are applied.

This Challenge requires only a written proposal

Challenge Reward: $20,000 USD Deadline: May 28, 2012

Cleveland Clinic: Avoidance of Blood Vessels During Insertion of Medical Probes

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:32:56 GMT

This Challenge is seeking a theoretical design of an “early warning” sensor for blood vessels in the path of a medical probe.

This Challenge requires only a written proposal.

Challenge Reward: $30,000 USD Deadline: May 21, 2012

Life Grand Challenge — DNA & RNA Sequencing of a Single Cancer Cell

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:53:05 GMT

The goal of this Life Grand Challenge, sponsored by Life Technologies, is to improve the capabilities of the Next Generation Sequencing technology to reach the ability to monitor the genome and transcriptome derived from a single human cancer cell.

This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires a written proposal and experimental proof-of-concept data. Please read carefully the Challenge Agreement(entitled Life Technologies Grand Challenge Terms and Conditions).

Challenge Reward: $1,000,000 USD Deadline: Dec 31, 2012

Life Grand Challenge: Twice the Scale of Genome Sequencing

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:34:09 GMT

The goal of this Life Grand Challenge, sponsored by Life Technologies, is to increase the number of reads generated in a single run of the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine^TM DNA sequencing technology. More specifically, the goal is to find a way to double the number of bases generated by the Ion chips. The Winner of the Scalability Grand Challenge will have to provide a two-fold improvement, relative to the best Life Technologies performance.

This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires a written proposal and experimental proof-of-concept data. This Challenge’s treatment of Solvers’ IP rights differs from a typical RTP Challenge, so read the Challenge Agreement (entitled Life Technologies Grand Challenge Terms and Conditions) carefully.

Challenge Reward: $1,000,000 USD Deadline: Dec 31, 2012

Life Grand Challenge: Twice the Speed of Genome Sequencing

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:33:55 GMT

The goal of this Life Grand Challenge, sponsored by Life Technologies, is to reduce the amount of time required to prepare samples for sequencing on the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine^TM DNA sequencing technology. More specifically, the goal is to find a way to cut the time in half. The Winner of the Speed Grand Challenge will have to provide a two-fold improvement, relative to the best Life Technologies performance.

Challenge Reward: $1,000,000 USD Deadline: Dec 31, 2012

Life Grand Challenge: Twice the Accuracy of Genome Sequencing

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:13:25 GMT

The goal of this Life Grand Challenge, sponsored by Life Technologies, is to improve the accuracy of the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine^TM DNA sequencing technology. More specifically, the goal is to find a way to double the accuracy of data generated by the Ion chips. The winner of the Accuracy Grand Challenge will have to provide a two-fold improvement, relative to the best Life Technologies performance, in the accuracy (half of the error rate) across Ion Torrent’s available chips.

Challenge Reward: $1,000,000 USD Deadline: Dec 31, 2012

NEW: AWARDS For Uploading Your Compound Libraries!

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:10:31 GMT

NEW: We are now offering, for a limited time, an award to offset the effort of preparing a database of your compounds!

As part of our improved Novel Molecules Challenge (NMC) procedure, you may now upload to InnoCentive your entire compound library through this special Challenge. InnoCentive will add the structures to our secure database, and we will notify you whenever an NMC is posted that fits any of the molecules in your library based on our sub-structure search. You will then have the option, but not be required, to submit your molecular structure(s) to that specific NMC. We will not share any information about your molecular structures with the Seeker until after you submit it for the specific NMC.

Challenge Reward: See details Deadline: Jan 20, 2013