To address the mobility and coordination challenges associated with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), DEBUT developed SteadyStride, a cane specifically designed to reduce Parkinsonian tremors and facilitate easier movement for individuals with PD. The product features two key components: a tuned mass damper (TMD) system embedded in the cane shaft that reduces the amplitude of tremors by providing a restorative force, and a dynamic base made of shock-absorbant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), coated with chlorinated rubber and patterned with treads for enhanced stability. These features allow SteadyStride to significantly reduce the instability that leads to falls in PD patients when using regular canes that cannot support tremors. Patient testing data showed that SteadyStride significantly reduced cane tremors by an average of 12.25% and received positive feedback from 75% of users.

Elevated blood lead levels affect nearly 815 million children worldwide, potentially causing developmental and long-term damage to the brain, nervous system, heart, liver, and kidneys. To address this issue, DEBUT has developed a noninvasive saliva test kit that costs less than $0.24 and provides results within 30 seconds. In contrast, current blood test kits cost an average of $17, take a week or longer to deliver results, and require support from local clinical infrastructure.

Our solution involves synthesizing gold nanoparticles that aggregate in the presence of lead ions, causing a color change in the test kit. The product consists of three main components: a transparent vial containing deionized water, hydrochloric acid, and gallic acid; a sealed middle container with chloroauric acid; and a button top. The user spits into the vial, inserts the middle container, and presses the button to release the chloroauric acid. After shaking the vial to synthesize the nanoparticles, the results are revealed through a color change.