Bright Ideas

Dr. Scott Fairgrieve

Bright Idea: The Traumatizer mimics a human arm holding a weapon

A forensics professor you may know from ’Making A Murderer’ finds a mechanical solution to a courtroom problem
York University Mobile Water Test Feat

Bright Idea: A fast, cheap mobile water-testing kit

Faster and cheaper than anything on the market today
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Bright Idea: Touchscreen chamber for mice, complete with milkshake

A chamber that completely changes the way cognitive tests are performed on animals
Ludwig the robot at the University of Toronto

Bright Idea: Ludwig the robot is helping dementia patients remember

This adorable two-foot bot is on track to fill in communication gaps for people with dementia
The tuna vice holds a tuna head. (Photograph by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Bright Idea: A tuna vise that gets a grip on fish heads

The tuna vise is a two-metre, clam-shaped contraption made of stainless steel that won’t rust in salt water
Mushroom benches outside the UBC bookstore. (UBC/Flickr)

Bright Idea: Furniture grown from mushrooms

Toadstools? No, mushroom benches.
Mature Smut galls  (Ustilago zeae) on ear of corn.

Bright Idea: Delectable corn fungus

A delicious novelty food with an ugly name
A meal with Gryllies’ sauce made of cricket flour. (Gryllies)

Bright Idea: Cricket Pasta Sauce

Cricket cavatelli, anyone?
Fake Blood Laurentian Feat

Bright Idea: Fake blood that behaves like the real thing

A blood substitute that’s miles ahead of cornstarch and food colouring