Popular Science’s ‘The Brilliant 10 of 2016’ Part 3

This is the 15th year Popular Science has searched nationwide to find the 10 “most innovative young minds in science and engineering.” Below is a brief outline of 2 of this year’s Brilliant 10 of 2016.

Danielle Bassett – Bassett, a 34-year-old student at the University of Pennsylvania “launched her career by challenging a central tenent of neuroscience,” according to Popular Science. Instead of studying the brain by dividing it up into regions, Bassett’s theory, which launched a whole new field called network neuroscience, looks at the brain as a “dynamic network of neurons” which morph and change depending on the individual’s experiences. Bassett and her team are currently examining why some people learn quicker than others and how we can improve our ability to learn. Read more about Bassett here. 

Conor Walsh – 34 year old Walsh works with wearable robotics at Harvard University. While Walsh’s interest in battery-powered exoskeletons began in college – he even began building exoskeletons himself – he found that they never fully aligned with the body. His solution? Begin fabricating soft robotic suits. Walsh and his team recently demonstrated a nylon-and-spandex suit that straps to your leg to make walking easier. Walsh believes this product will be able to assist soldiers who have to carry heavy equipment across long distances quickly. Walsh plans on working with his team to also develop suits that can be worn under clothing to assist civilians with mobility issues. Read more about Walsh here.