• SDG: 03 Good Health and Well-being

• University: South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China/ Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, United States of America

• Winner: Tianlv Wang, Xueqing Zhao, Ting Luo, Lechuan Huang

CalmTouch, is a clinical thermometer that was developed for refugees from conflict zones - with the aim of providing sensitive medical care in places where fear and trauma have often left deep scars. Conventional clinical thermometers, which are pointed at the head like a gun, can evoke threatening associations in traumatized people. With CalmTouch, the temperature is not taken by a frontal “shot”, but by a gentle, stroking movement on the head. This loving interaction helps to strengthen confidence in medical measures and has been proven to reduce anxiety reactions.

Jury Statement:

“CalmTouch - Healing Thermometer transforms a potentially intimidating act into an iconic gesture of empathy and caring, truly outstanding.”

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• SDG: 09 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• University: ecosign / academy for design, Cologne/Germany

• Winner: Elisa Schneider

Tando is an app where people can create instructions, request or offer items, exchange services and network. The aim is to enable the production of important goods using locally available materials and tools - cheaply, sustainably and collaboratively. In this way, craft skills are passed on, the local economy is strengthened, and new jobs are created. The idea arose from a conversation with a doctor from Tanzania, who emphasized the need for affordable, locally producible solutions. This led to the development of a globally applicable open source concept. Tando products are modular, easy to repair and often cheaper than imports. Visual step-by-step instructions make them easy to use, even for illiterate people.

Jury Statement:

“Tando empowers economically disadvantaged communities to creatively solve problems. By repurposing local materials and transforming them into repairable goods such as wheelchairs and playground equipment, Tando makes a profound societal and sustainable impact.”

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• SDG: 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

• University: IED Milano – Istituto Europeo di Design, Italy

• Winner: Giacomo Frova, Carola Castiglione, Mattia Cappiello, Mattia Macciachini

TextileRefuge is an innovative brick that addresses the global textile waste crisis - with a special focus on Ghana. The Limetex brick is made from discarded fast fashion: an innovative building material made from shredded fabrics and hydrated lime, transforming textile waste into a sustainable resource. The durable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly Limetex bricks offer an alternative to concrete and reduce the environmental impact. In Chorkor, Ghana, where millions of used clothes arrive every week, the project provides local people with jobs, skills and affordable housing, transforming a global problem into a sustainable, circular solution that promotes social and environmental progress.

Jury Statement:

“TextileRefuge tackles fast fashion’s garment waste while addressing the need for affordable housing and job opportunities via material innovation. The building blocks comprised of discarded textile fibers show ingenuity, support circularity, and provide much needed safe housing.”

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• SDG: 04 Quality Education

• University: Chang Gung University Taoyuan, Taiwan / National University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan

• Winner: Hsin-Pei Hsieh, Cho-Chun Kuo, Qi-Wei Hong, Pan Kai-Hsin

Bluff Book is a book that uses AI speech-to-image technology to convert spoken stories into images in real time. The aim is to make storytelling more captivating, engaging and interactive. It bridges the generation gap by helping grandparents capture children's attention with exciting technology, while fostering emotional connections and preserving cultural heritage.

Jury Statement:

“The Bluff Book project tackles challenges of our modern, digital society in a playful way. The unique mixture of AI and simple analog interactions bridges generations and creates memories that last.”

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• SDG: 06 Clean Water + Sanitation

• University: University IED Istituto Europeo di Design Milan / Italy

• Winner: Simone Centonze, Daniel Bertollo, Michele Martellon

HAUKI is a system for filtering and mapping microplastics in the sea. Designed for water sports enthusiasts, it allows them to filter and map microplastics in the sea while practicing water sports without compromising their water experience. The user thus not only contributes to improving the environment, but also benefits from better performance in the water thanks to the assisted paddle system.

Jury Statement:

“HAUKI enables water sports users to filter and map microplastics in the ocean without compromising their water experience. It is a wonderful combination of enjoying water and taking care of it at the same time.”

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