The 2011 PopSci Invention Awards

The 5th Annual PopSci Invention Awards Honor Bright Ideas John B. Carnett

In the five years that Popular Science has run the Invention Awards, we’ve seen a lot of remarkable things come out of people’s garages. Some are designed to treat the sick or save the planet. Others are simply fun to play with. But no matter what the purpose, the brilliance of the inventions and the dedication of the individuals behind them are always inspiring.

This year’s 10 honorees carry on the tradition: a pen that can screen for prenatal diseases for less than a penny, a machine that uses a boat’s exhaust to treat onboard waste, and even a jet-propelled body board light enough to carry from your car to the water. Each of this year’s inventions takes on a different challenge—and solves it in its own ingenious way.

Click the links below to get an in-depth look at the year's greatest inventions.

• A better mechanical prosthetic hand

• A crime-fighting armored glove

• A printer you wave like a magic wand

• A safer landing pad for snowboarders

• A glare-blocking LCD sunglass lens

• A more effective bedbug detector

• A low-cost test for prenatal diseases

• An efficient way to treat boat waste

• A light, motorized body board

• A mirror that measures vital signs