Problems Archive




These are the problems that have expired or been solved. The descriptions on this page are only problem summaries.

  • On-line locating of underground medium-voltage cable joints - Part 1

    An energy supplier is looking for technologies and methodologies which can be applied to energised links (on-line) allowing precise localization of cable joints on the medium voltage underground links of the electrical power distribution network.

    Our aim is to determine precisely where the joints are on the underground link of the electrical power distribution network. The imprecise and incomplete cartographic information about the position of cable joints has to be verified or completed.

    This is a two-part problem. Both theoretical solutions and practical demonstrations are valued and separately rewarded if accepted. But practical submissions will only be considered if the solver has also submitted a theoretical solution.

    Submission Deadline: Closed (Selection Pending)

    Selection Deadline: December 21, 2011

  • Embedding a mixture of ion-exchange resins (IER) within a polymer matrix

    A company is looking for the use of a non-toxic polymer as embedding compound to coat a mixture of ion-exchange resin beads.
    polymer, ion-exchange resins, IER, polymer coating
    Unsolved

    Closing Date: December 16, 2010

  • New incentives to reduce energy consumption

    We are looking for new incentives, which differ from more-traditional financial or ecological ones, to motivate users to lower their energy consumption.
    Awarded

    Closing Date: September 30, 2011

  • Transparent material with variable refractive index

    A global organization is looking for a transparent material whose refractive index can be continuously modified by electromagnetic means.
    transparency, refractive index
    Unsolved

    Closing Date: May 24, 2011

  • Reliable estimation of electrical power consumption

    An electric power company is looking for new ways to evaluate the reduction of electrical power consumption due to the implementation of a demand response scheme.
    Demand response, electrical power, grid, predictive methods
    Awarded

    Closing Date: April 16, 2011

  • Seeking a smooth & creamy bake stable non-sweet intermediate moisture filling

    A food company is seeking a bake stable, non-sweet, intermediate water activity filling that is able to maintain a smooth creamy texture for a period of at least six months.
    Unsolved

    Closing Date: April 01, 2011

  • Alternatives to triglycerides to structure oil in food emulsions

    We are looking for alternatives to triglycerides to structure oil in food emulsions, without relying on ingredients that structure the water phase in case of the emulsion.
    Unsolved

    Closing Date: March 02, 2011

  • Kaolin extraction and processing

    Fronteiras Minerações, a Brazilian mining company specialized in high quality kaolin, is looking for ideas to improve various key steps of their extraction and processing workflow.
    Kaolin, China clay, White clay, Mining, Extraction, Automatization, Mechanization, Tailings removal
    Unsolved

    Closing Date: January 06, 2011

  • Miracle Cure for CO₂

    To cut CO₂ emissions to zero and stop climate change we need to find clean sources of energy that are 50% cheaper than today's cost of energy. The world's energy portfolio should not include coal or natural gas. Carbon capture, storage technology, solar and wind are too expensive on a large scale. We need help finding a way to generate and distribute electricity worldwide using today's technology with a total cost of $0.02 kilowatt-hour or less.
    Renewable Energy, Engineering, Green technology, Energy distribution

    Submission Deadline: Closed (Selection Pending)

    Selection Deadline: February 08, 2011

  • Biodegradable home made plastic

    We are looking for a recipe able to produce biodegradable and environmentally sound plastic in the home, using ingredients/materials which are readily obtainable in the urban environment.
    Plastic, Recycling

    Submission Deadline: Closed (Selection Pending)

    Selection Deadline: February 08, 2011