Why Public Invention Matters to the Future
Invent things that help humanity
We challenge the notion that inventions should be reserved for patents and profits. Rather, we invite fellow builders of the future to use their skills for a humanitarian purpose. We want to make the future better for everyone. To do this we remove, rather than add, legal barriers to the free use of our inventions. All work done with Public Invention is free and open to all under share-alike public licenses.
Project Dashboard
Check out our dashboard for project updates and accomplishments:
| Active Projects | Inventors | milliFullers | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDT | Victoria, Christina, Vincent, Deneille, Surya, Jara, Alison, and Hieu | 25 | Notification system, security | API done, working on notifications and security | Security, notification under way | Off-line operation and notification underway | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| LibRecorder | Avinash, Megan, Roy, Rob, and Nipul | 5 | Improving of software | First paper done, improving software | Literature review done, more functionality | Second paper nearing completion. | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| NASA Oxygen | Lee and Avinash | 20 | Test Heating hypothesis and larger inertial filters | 3000 psi O2 almost done, still working on inertial filters. | New contract based on significant finding | Studying impedance of solid oxides at high temperature | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Krake | Nagham, Lee, Courtney, Yehia, and Juhandre | 20 | Testing new PCBs, speakers | Working on sound and ADaM integration | Prototypes nearly done, tests done, sound working | Paper working, short-run machines built, testing | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| EcoPot | Cledden, Ivan, Gianluca, Jahnavi, and Marie | 20 | Testing "studded" and "dimpled" pots | Order best pot, testing erlenmeyer and "wavy" pots | Finned pot performs well, working on "wavy pot" | Working on "Erlenmery Flask" and "Wavy Pot" | TBA | TBA | TBA | |
| Biochar Toilet | Hardhik, Peter, and Lawrence | 10 | New ideas using steel shot, testing induction heating | Building larger chamber | Working on induction coil for large chamber | Assembling pressure vessel | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Moonrat | Melanie | 10 | Submitting the paper | Almost done! | Paper submitted to HardwareX | Paper accepted with Major Revisions required | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Alarm Dialog Manegment (ADaM) | Saicharan and Muhammad | 20 | Improving prototype | Responses from Krake | Server done, making website | Working on IOS app, HL7 adapter done | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Ferrofluid Pump | Asmi, Anson, and Asim | 15 | Improving "pumpboat" | Multi-magnet pumpboat | Adding barbs, making more robust, still working on multiple magnets | New pump housing needed, multiple magnets working | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Number Spectra | Umit | 15 | Project Begins | User Interface improving | Integer Sequences mapped | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Partially Active Projects | Inventors | milliFullers | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrofluid Checkvalve | Joe, Rob | 10 | No changes | Stalled | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| KidsOR Oxygen | Lee, Lawrence, Courtney | 15 | Waiting on equipment | No changes | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Inventor Gatherings
Check out our free, monthly Inventor Gatherings: virtual events held every third Thursday at 8:00 PM (CDT), where STEM professionals, students, and innovators connect to share ideas, spark collaboration, and support open innovation. These inclusive sessions feature engaging discussions, special guests, and opportunities to grow your network.
Upcoming Gathering: Come hear our 3rd talk on Public Infrastructure presented by Victoria Jaqua - Apr 16th, 8-9:30PM (CDT)
Volunteer with Public Invention
Public Invention forms invention teams around humanitarian invention projects. We also need Invention Coaches above all else to mentor and guide a project from start to finish. However, we also need artists, writers, social media experts, and more. All will find a place here and all kinds of tech backgrounds can be utilized: biology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, math, etc.
Different backgrounds with these interest are more than welcome to join our team!
Donate
Your donation directly supports essential activities, including travel to research conferences, journal submission fees, materials for project teams, and the technology needed to bring new inventions to life.
We invite you to contribute to our work and help drive innovation forward.
Public Invention became registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit since November 2019.
Recent Projects
Check out some of our recent public invention projects listed below.
Not sure where to start? Chat with our Project Chatbot to explore active inventions based on your interests and skillset.
PolyVent
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the fragility of our global supply chains. The PolyVent started out as an attempt, along with 100 other teams, to make an open source emergency ventilator. It has now become the world’s most open and extensible ventilator.
GOSQAS
The Global Open Source Quality Assurance System (GOSQAS) provides the opportunity to create truthful, transparent documentation via our open source provenance tracker, Global Distributed Tracking (GDT). Designed specifically for low-resource settings, GDT allows anyone with simple website access to securely record their project data.
Fetal Health Risk Detection using Machine Learning
Equipping healthcare professionals and expectant mothers with timely and actionable insights, this solution aims to transform neonatal care, saving lives and fostering healthier beginnings.
Project #51: Moonrat: A portable Incubator
Current Public Inventors:
Melanie Laporte, Silvia Castillas, Harshit Kumar, Enrique Ruiz, Horacio Garcia, F. Lee Erickson, Robert L. Read of Public Invention
Past Inventors: Sam Dauenbaugh, Jerry Chang, Shreya Bhatia
NASA-MCOG
The NASA-MCOG project develops an open-source control system to enhance NASA’s Ceramic Oxygen Generation technology, aimed at improving life support for space missions. The project focuses on precise parameter control, with potential applications for global health and oxygen generation in harsh environments.
Check out how the efforts of this project are helping other organizations, like KidsOR, to bring oxygen generating sources to low income countries to save lives: https://www.kidsor.org/news/nasa-kidsor/
