2012 CHALLENGE

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2012 BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION CHALLENGE

FIRST PLACE

Chameleon Skin

Chameleon skin-inspired thermal insulation

An affordable method to control temperature in any
building structure.

Team members: Trent Robertson, Cody Hayashi,
John Hirano and Richard Ordonez

SECOND PLACE

The Powerplant

Electric eel-inspired energy converter

A renewable energy that uses modified plants as self-replicating, self-repairing solar panels.

Team member: Aaron King

THIRD PLACE

Biocomputer (formerly Saltatory Conduction)

Human nervous system-inspired information processing

By utilizing the basic structure of biological components such as DNA, advances in nanobiotechnology will allow
the manufacturing of biocomputers capable of completing complex tasks both inside and outside of the body.

Team member: Brendan Mulligan

The 2012 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

phone: (808) 956-5083

fax: (808) 956-5107

email: pace@hawaii.edu

phone: (808) 956-5083

fax: (808) 956-5107

email: pace@hawaii.edu

University of Hawaiʻi

An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution.

University of Hawaiʻi

An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution.

ABOUT PACE

2012 CHALLENGE

2012 BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION CHALLENGE

FIRST PLACE

Chameleon Skin

Chameleon skin-inspired thermal insulation

An affordable method to control temperature in any
building structure.

Team members: Trent Robertson, Cody Hayashi,
John Hirano and Richard Ordonez

SECOND PLACE

The Powerplant

Electric eel-inspired energy converter

A renewable energy that uses modified plants as self-replicating, self-repairing solar panels.

Team member: Aaron King

THIRD PLACE

Biocomputer (formerly Saltatory Conduction)

Human nervous system-inspired information processing

By utilizing the basic structure of biological components such as DNA, advances in nanobiotechnology will allow
the manufacturing of biocomputers capable of completing complex tasks both inside and outside of the body.

Team member: Brendan Mulligan

PARTNERS

phone: (808) 956-5083

fax: (808) 956-5107

email: pace@hawaii.edu

phone: (808) 956-5083

fax: (808) 956-5107

email: pace@hawaii.edu

University of Hawaiʻi

An Equal Employment Opportunity 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

University of Hawaiʻi

An Equal Employment Opportunity 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

ABOUT PACE

2012 CHALLENGE

2012 BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION CHALLENGE

FIRST PLACE

Chameleon Skin

Chameleon skin-inspired thermal insulation

An affordable method to control temperature in any building structure.

Team members: Trent Robertson, Cody Hayashi, John Hirano and Richard Ordonez

SECOND PLACE

The Powerplant

Electric eel-inspired energy converter

A renewable energy that uses modified plants as self-replicating, self-repairing solar panels.

Team member: Aaron King

THIRD PLACE

Biocomputer (formerly Saltatory Conduction)

Human nervous system-inspired information processing

By utilizing the basic structure of biological components such as DNA, advances in nanobiotechnology will allow the manufacturing of biocomputers capable of completing complex tasks both inside and outside of the body.

Team member: Brendan Mulligan

PARTNERS

phone: (808) 956-5083

fax: (808) 956-5107

email: pace@hawaii.edu

phone: (808) 956-5083

fax: (808) 956-5107

email: pace@hawaii.edu

University of Hawaiʻi

An Equal Employment Opportunity 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

University of Hawaiʻi

An Equal Employment Opportunity 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

An affordable method to control temperature in any
building structure.

Team members: Trent Robertson, Cody Hayashi,
John Hirano and Richard Ordonez

By utilizing the basic structure of biological components such as DNA, advances in nanobiotechnology will allow
the manufacturing of biocomputers capable of completing complex tasks both inside and outside of the body.

© 2025 Shidler College of Business. All rights reserved.
2404 Maile Way, Room E-402, Honolulu, HI 96822
Website by Blue Logic Labs
Intranet • Credits

© 2025 Shidler College of Business. All rights reserved.
Website by Blue Logic Labs
2404 Maile Way, Room E-402, Honolulu, HI 96822
Intranet • Credits