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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

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
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 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 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