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The article describes the best inventions of 2008 including: the Retail DNA Test; the Tesla Roadster, an electric car; the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter; Hulu.com, a network TV-show hub; The Large Hadron Collider; the Global Seed Vault; the world's first moving skyscraper, in Dubai; thin film solar panels; the 46th Mersenne Prime; and the Speedo LZR Racer.

The article presents the best inventions in 2006, including the Tesla Roadster 100 automobile from Tesla Motors, the low-emission Clever car by BMW and the Simple Start battery booster from Black & Decker.

The article presents information about various inventions in 2005. The company Intelligent Energy has invented the ENV motorcycle which runs on a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell engine. Fischer GmbH has invented the Magnetic Speed tennis racket. Chef David Burke has created a line of flavor sprays that mimic the taste of high-calorie foods but have no fat, calories or carbohydrates.

This article focuses on inventions involving toy robots. The ApriAlpha and ApriAttenda, invented by Toshiba Corp., can distinguish voices and recognize people and use that recognition to follow its target around. Takara of Japan invented the Walkie Bits, miniature turtles that walk around a mimic rhythmic patterns. Philips Research in the Netherlands invented the iCat, which can display different facial expressions depending on its mood. ZMP Inc. invented Nuvo, a 15-inch robot that can walk around, do tricks and take pictures from its cyclops camera lens.

This article focuses on inventions related to sports and outdoor recreation. LandRoller has invented a pair of skates with oversized wheels that angle inward to help skaters keep their balance. Cam Bresinger invented Nemo Equipment's inflatable tent, which has two supporting beams that are pumped with air and are virtually unpopable. Morey's Taloa III bodyboard, invented by Chris Taloa, has a stiff, lightweight polypropylene core and graphite rod for strength, and mesh reinforcement for optimal flexibility. Hydro Epic surfboards, invented by Mark Itnyre and Peter Mehiel, are hollow inside and have an extra-sturdy shell of a carbon fiber-Kevlar composite.

This article focuses on inventions related to health and medicine. Deborah Adler invented Target Pharmacy's new drug containers, called ClearRx, which are flattened out so crucial information can be read without turning the bottle. The LifeStraw, invented by Vestergaard Frandsen Group, uses many filters to remove contaminants to make water safe enough to drink. The ELI plug, invented by Randall Roberts, is a wireless cell-phone headset that plugs into hearing-aids. Ellis Developments Ltd. invented the Bioimplantable Device, an implantable internal bandage that helps patients swiftly recover from shoulder-joint-replacement surgery. Yoshiyuki Sankai invented the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL), which is an exoskeleton support system that can help elderly and motion-impaired people walk.

This article focuses on inventions related to food and drink. The Topsy-Turvy planet invented by Bill Felknor allows people to grow certain vegetables upside-down and Greg Drouillard has invented natural-light labeling for fruit, which uses lasers to etch information onto the side of fruits and vegetables without damage. The TurboTap, invented by Matthew Younkle eliminates the need for bartenders to tilt glasses to avoid a big head. The Dream Taste glass pitcher invented by Gérard Michel removes trichloroanisole molecules from wine corks that can taint the wine. David Burke has invented a line of flavor sprays that mimic the taste of high-calorie foods but have no fat.

This article presents information on several inventions related to wheels and transportation. Michelin had developed an airless tire called the Tweel that is more rugged than pneumatic tires because it never goes flat. The ENV bike, which looks like a motorcycle, can travel at speeds of up to 50 m.p.h. on its hydrogen-powered fuel-cell engine. Yoshiaki Kato, of Tokyo, has invented the i-unit, a four-wheel personal transport system powered by lithium-ion batteries.

This article discusses the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, held in Las Vegas, Nevada during January of 2007. OQO released a 1 lb. Computer, capable of loading the Windows Vista operating system. Emtrace released a Widget Station at the consumer show, which allows users to access the internet quickly without using a computer. Gorillapods, or rubber-grip camera tripods, were also introduced at the consumer show.

This article presents information about some new electronic equipment. The article presents the names of the inventors and descriptions of the equipment including Slingbox which allows you to watch anything on your home TV or TiVo anywhere on any Web-enabled device outfitted with special software, a door that opens only as much as the size of the person or object passing through called Fukuda's Automatic Door, and Scooba, iRobot's robotic tile, linoleum, and hardwood floor cleaner and squeegee-vac.

This article focuses on the AntWorks ant farm invented by Fascinations and the Hand Roll Piano invented by Yamano Music. AntWorks is a new kind of ant farm that uses a clear, seaweed-based gel packed with the nutrients ants need to survive. Incorporating technology used in remote control buttons and touch panels, the silicone-rubber Hand Roll Piano has 61-keys and rolls up like a blanket.

This article focuses on inventions related to papers and fabrics. Cannondale's new Carbon LE line of cycling wear, invented by Greg Haggquist, is made from moisture-wicking, odor-absorbing, UV-ray-protective polyester. Takao Someya, a researcher at the University of Tokyo, has created an electric film that can detect pressure and temperature and which may be used as a sense of touch in robots. Sally Ramsey of Ecology Coatings has invented a new type of waterproof paper that might be perfect for shipping labels.

This article focuses on the Partner Ballroom Dance Robot, a 5-ft. 5-in. waltzing humanoid. The robot has upper-body sensors that allow it to predict its partner's next steps. Dancing is just one application, and robotics professor Kazuhiro Kosuge will also be able to help provide better service for older people. The dancing droid was designed by Tohoku University, Nomura Unison Group and TroisO Co. Ltd.

This article focuses on the Smart Rope from Squid Labs, the Sleeptracker watch invented by Lee Loree and the PlayStation Portable (PSP) by Sony Computer Entertainment. The Smart Rope is imbedded with electrically conductive metal fibers that can sense the amount of weight it is bearing and alerts users to a load that is too great. The Sleeptracker senses the wearer's motion to determine the best time to set off the alarm in order to prevent grogginess in the morning. The PSP can play games and movies on its widescreen display.

This article focuses on inventions related to sports and tennis. Fischer's Magnetic Speed tennis racquet has two unipolar magnets positioned on either side of the head to help speed the recovery so the ball is catapulted back over the net with extra oomph. Alan Reichow at Pacific University for Nike invented MaxSight contact lenses, which filter out blue light to reduce glare and improve visibility of balls and moving objects.

This article focuses on the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, designed by Burt Rutan, and the Shift tricycle invented by Scott Shim, Matt Grossman and Ryan Lightbody of Purdue University. On March 1, 2005, the GlobalFlyer made the first nonstop, nonrefueling solo flight around the world. The Shift tricycle has two back wheels that move closer together the faster the bike moves, but spread out for stability at slower speeds and when stopping.

This section presents the top inventions of 2008, including the Touch Sight camera, the Nexi robot and the MonoTracer motorcycle.

The article presents information on several inventions displayed at the 33rd International Exhibition of Inventions held in Geneva, Switzerland. Around 1,000 new products from 42 countries were exhibited during the event. Saturnine Munoz Carriqui invented a tool that aims to make it easier for the obese to cut their toenail from a distance. K.N. Tsang invented a pair of digital glasses that provides navigational assistance to the blind or the visually impaired using audio input.