Would like to start 2016 by highlighting few innovative technologies that you can follow up further directly with the innovator or through Design HMI LLC. Hopefully with have more in the coming months.
Converting Solar Energy into Electric Power via Photo bio-electrochemical Cells: A new development has been reported in the journal Nature Energy by researchers from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in Israel, and the University of Bochum, in Germany. It is a means for the conversion of solar light energy into electrical power.
The system provides a model to harness the native photosynthetic apparatus for the conversion of solar light energy into electrical power, using biomass substrates as fuels.
For more information contact Prof. Itamar Willner, at the Hebrew University’s Institute of Chemistry.
Leddar® One Sensing Module: This single element sensing module can be integrated a system with its advanced detection and ranging 
capabilities. It is particularly suitable for applications such as level sensing, security and surveillance and proximity detection, just to name a few.
HARMAN and Microsoft – Driver Productivity:
This collaboration is a first for Microsoft in the connected car space and represents a new emphasis on productivity within the car. With access to relevant Office 365 services through intelligent personal assistant software, drivers can complete tasks without compromising safety, including scheduling meetings, hearing and responding to emails, automatically joining conference calls without having to manually input the phone number and passcode, and seamlessly managing events and tasks throughout the day. Drivers will also be able to hold Skype calls and conferences when in park, or on the road with autonomous vehicles. In addition, with HARMAN’s over-the-air (OTA) incremental update capabilities, the most current version of Office 365 will always be accessible to drivers.
Likuma Labs: Igloo home has a mission to make your home more secure while, at the same time, providing you control over that security no matter where you are. Likuma Labs was asked
by Igloo home to help create a Bluetooth enabled lock that shared their passion with elegant and modern design. The Igloo lock communicates with your smart phone via a cloud app to allow access to your home key stored inside. This is particularly useful for Air BnB guests which enter and leave the residences frequently.
Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses are an Android-based wearable computer, enhanced with a 
wearable monocular display and onboard processor, recording features and wireless connectivity capabilities designed for a wide variety of enterprise applications.
The Jennova/Nordic Self-Powered Multi-Sensor Board: Jennova works with partners to make ideas for small-scale energy-harvesting like thermodynamic, photovoltaic, piezoelectric, and electrodynamic.
Jennova we have developed a new form of electrodynamic energy-harvesting that gathers energy that is lost in motion. This is motion found either directly in process functions, or in systems used to monitor or maintain equipment/infrastructure stability. Current tests and usage show a significant amount of energy can be harvested using Jennova technology, and the design is highly scalable as well, which means there is no easy way to define the amount of power harvested. Depending on your environment they can adapt our technology.
HeliaFilm®: Increase the efficiency of cars – reduce carbon emission by integrating 
transparent power generation, which will become a key factor for carbon emission reduction in the automotive industry. In addition, HeliaFilm® can increase the temperature comfort level of cars by powering active ventilation while parking.
Roof integrated solar systems for a better CO2 balance. By modifying the absorber molecules and changing the thickness of the various active and conductive layers, it is possible to adapt the color and the transparency of HeliaFilm®.
Metallic Bonding Glue: Northeastern University and the University of North Florida, may be the ability to largely eliminate soldering and welding from the production line. They have created a room-temperature metallic glue that forms a durable metal bond using only pressure. It is said to provide the strength and thermal and electric conductance of a metal bond yet reportedly behaves even better than conventional glue.
Dubbed “MesoGlue,” the substance was created by professors Hanchen Huang and Paul Elliott of Northeastern University, together with professors Stephen Stagon and Alex Knapp of the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, which have formed an eponymous company to market it.
BEVL iPhone Docks: BEVL products create a connection between your devices and your environment in a beautifully simple way.
Pioneer Corporation Rearview Mirror Telematics unit has developed a wireless information module that fits over a car’s original rearview mirror.
It features a 5-in touchscreen with a front-mounted camera and comes with self-contained module equipped with an LTE communication unit linked to the company’s Mobile Telematics Center.
The information is displayed on a half-mirrored, 5-inch LCD touchscreen. The module also has gyro and acceleration sensors, acts as a WiFi hotspot, and can even work as a boring old rearview mirror.
Smart Window developed by the University College London (UCL) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is said to be self-cleaning, energy saving, and anti-glare.
A very thin (5-10nm) thermochromic coating of vanadium dioxide prevents heat loss during cold weather, plus it keeps heat-causing infrared radiation from entering during hot weather. Thermochromic refers to the ability of a material to change color with changes to temperature. Vanadium dioxide is a cheap and abundant material, and offers a less expensive and more sustainable alternative to silver and gold-based and other coatings used by current energy-saving windows.
JAE Small / Low Profile Connector. It is horizontally mated, 1 pin board-to-cable connector with a low profile height of 1.6mm. This compact, low-profile 1 pin connector is 
compatible with stranded cable well suited for LED lighting, LCD TV backlight, tablet PC, and other compact devices.
Features are no insulator, low-profile design, detachable locking structure, miss-mating prevention structure & RoHS complia
