European Inventor Award 2017 (2017 - 2017)

Gruter and his team were the first to come up with an economically viable method for turning renewable plant-based sugars into bioplastics. PEF can replace aluminum, glass and the most commonly used polyester: PET, derived from petrochemicals. PEF' also has a lower carbon footprint.

Developed by a former heart surgeon, the Organ Care System (OCS™), pioneered by TransMedics, Inc., is the only multi-organ platform world-wide that enables donor organs to remain in a near-physiological and functioning state outside the human body.

Deurex's scientists are still trying to pin down the exact adsorptive properties of their "magic cotton", which was discovered by accident after a worker left on a wax-making machine overnight with incorrect temperature and pressure settings - but it can absorb oil from ocean oil spills.

This technology helps ensure the high accuracy of GALILEO, the ESA GPS, while saving energy and assuring navigational compatibility with the US GPS and the Russian GLONASS worldwide GNSS systems. The team's developments also allow the use of legacy and lower- end receivers.

Spectral Band Replication (SBR) is a novel method for compressing digital audio files that has made it possible for millions of people around the world to enjoy either higher-quality sound or higher compression, easily and affordably. How does it work?

Air compressors are found in many industries: from large machines used in water treatment and manufacturing. They make up 10% of Europe's industrial electricity consumption. After a trial at a waste water treatment facility in the UK, the Blade Compressor showed electricity savings of over 20%.

Swiss innovative all-rounder Elmar Mock is best known for his co-invention of the best-selling Swatch wristwatch, which revolutionized watchmaking. However, the inventor has gone on to found an entire "innovative factory" – Mock's company Creaholic – that churns out novel inventions by the hundreds.

Muller's discovery may be the first "off switch" to stop lupus in its tracks. Instead of suppressing the immune system in its entirety – like most previous treatments – the drug she developed specifically targets so-called T-cells associated with lupus symptoms.

Rappuoli's vaccinations against diseases such as diphtheria, bacterial meningitis and whooping cough have been administered to millions as part of routine vaccination programs, practically eliminating these infections in the developed world.

The rise of multi-drug-resistant bacteria is a rapidly-growing global problem. Remmal's formula combines existing, standard antibiotics with the natural antimicrobial, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal properties found in indigenous plants, which helps prevent the spread of bacteria.

Before Remuzzi's discovery of ACE inhibitors to treat Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), kidney failure and lifelong dependence on dialysis were inevitable for many patients including those with certain organ transplantation.

German molecular biologist Axel Ullrich broadened the scientific understanding of the genetic causes of cancer and other diseases. • He made history with the discovery of the HER2/neu oncogene responsible for gene-related breast cancer. Ullrich also developed the anti-cancer drug Herceptin.