Grand designs

A NASA-sponsored competition to design futuristic, fuel-efficient airplanes has led to a jet prototype that would burn roughly 70 percent less fuel than current aircraft. Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology designed what they called a D-series “double bubble” jet, which features a wide fuselage composed of two partial cylinders fused together in an aerodynamic shape.

The prototype also has a smaller tail, skinnier wings, and engines mounted on the rear of the fuselage instead of the wings, which allows the engines to suck in slower-moving air and increase efficiency. These changes and use of lighter materials help the plane burn 70 percent less fuel, according to the team. And that's something!

In addition to designing this subsonic model, the MIT team designed a supersonic model, as well, that they said would also sharply cut fuel consumption.

On the innovation beat, two enterprising engineering students from the Nirma University of Ahmedabad, India have designed a handy wind and solar powered bike helmet that lets the user power the cell phone for almost free! Pragnesh Dudhaiya and Aalok Bhatt put together the useful new headgear, which is capable of charging a cell phone using energy generated from a 40-minute ride – and they did it in just 3 days!

The world sure needs more such innovations on the small and big scale. Have an idea? Share it with us.