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2013 CHALLENGE

2013 BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION CHALLENGE

FIRST PLACE
Cloud Catcher
Namib beetle inspired building material
An energy-saving, water-harvesting wall that employs hydrophilic and hydrophobic relationships to remove water from outside air and pass clean, fresh air to building occupants.
Team members: Francis Newton Parks III and Monica Umeda
SECOND PLACE
Organ Assembly in Vitro
Human cell and cellular microenviroment inspired organ assembly technology
A microbubble robot system that assembles single living cells to form tissues and organs outside of the body.
Team members: Qihui Fan, Wenqi Hu and Aaron Ohta
THIRD PLACE
Fly-Sailing
Basilisk lizard inspired hydrofoiling catamaran
A high-speed sailboat inspired by the Jesus lizard to provide more stability and make it more usable for a broader range of markets including personal, commercial and military applications.
Team member: Jon White

Biomimicry

The 2013 Breakthrough Innovation Challenge focused on Biomimicry. PACE challenged UH students and faculty to submit fresh ideas that are inspired by nature—innovative solutions (products, designs, services or processes) that mimic nature to solve human problems. The Challenge was organized in partnership with the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Engineering and the William S. Richardson School of Law.

PARTNERS
College of Engineering logo
CTAHR logo
William S Richardson School of Law Logo
PACE logo@2x
phone: (808) 956-5083
fax: (808) 956-5107
email: pace@hawaii.edu
Best Colleges - U.S. News & World Report logo and AACSB Accredited Logo
GCEC Award PNG
PACE logo@2x
phone: (808) 956-5083
fax: (808) 956-5107
email: pace@hawaii.edu
Best Colleges - U.S. News & World Report logo and AACSB Accredited Logo
GCEC Award PNG
uhm logo@2x
University of Hawaiʻi
An Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Institution.
© 2025 Shidler College of Business. All rights reserved.
2404 Maile Way, Room E-402, Honolulu, HI 96822
Website by Blue Logic Labs
Intranet • Credits
uhm logo@2x
University of Hawaiʻi
An Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Institution.
© 2025 Shidler College of Business. All rights reserved.
Website by Blue Logic Labs
2404 Maile Way, Room E-402, Honolulu, HI 96822
Intranet • Credits