Press Release: European inventor 2009: Solutions to global challenges nominated

Breakthrough inventions such as the commercial use of solar energy, powerful long-life batteries for hybrid cars, a successful malaria drug, and the 'fastskin' swimsuit inspired by shark skin are among the nominations for the Inventor of the Year 2009 award. The European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Commission announced the twelve nominees for this year's European Inventor of the Year awards. Their inventions aim at addressing many of today's toughest challenges in the areas of energy, environment and health. The winners in the four categories of industry, Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)/research, non-European countries and lifetime achievement will be announced in Prague on 28 April 2009.