The IG Nobels

Promotion of science and technology has always been in the spotlight in a plethora of activities, but true to the words of Ptahhotep (the guy who first quoted "all work and no play makes jack a dull boy" way back in 2400 BC) we bring you The IG Nobels. Officially given out every year in October for ten achievements that "first make people laugh, and then think", the IG Nobel at Techfest gives you a chance to unleash the Nut case in you. So go ahead and make the weirdest invention possible!!!
May the funniest win!!!

1. Problem Statement

Design a sketch and explain the working of a machine that is of no practical use but if hypothetically implemented, would solve a real life problem! In short the idea must have a GOOD INTENTION but must be a BAD INVENTION.

The following things must be considered while designing one:

The invention cannot be for real use
The problem it is supposed to solve must exist
Humor must be the sole reason for creating the patent

Registration for The IG Nobels has ended.

View the Competition Details»

For further queries contact:

Edul M Patel

Manager, Online Events
Techfest 2009
+91 99672 15225
edulpatel[at]techfest[dot]org

2.1 Judging Criterion

The Design will be judged on the basis of:

Creativity involved in making the design.
Humour imparted by the usage of the patent.
The problem that the device chooses to solve.

NOTE: Points will not be deducted for shabby designs.

2.2 Mode of Submission

Participants should mail their design along with their write up, preferably in '.doc' or '.pdf' format, to ignobels[at]techfest[dot]org with the subject "The IG Nobels - <Reg No.>".
Participants can also send their designs as a .fla file along with their write up.
Participants can also send the picture of their hand drawn sketch along with their write up.
The abstract should be concise and to the point and should not exceed three A4 sheets of text typed with Times New Roman font of size 12 excluding the first sheet containing the title and the last containing the references (if any).
The first sheet should only contain title of the project, team registration number, names of the team members and their respective institutes.

View the Rules »

3.1 Rules

The last date for submission of abstracts is 30th December, 2008.
The winning entries will be posted on the Techfest website on or before 10th January, 2009. A list of short listed teams will also be displayed on the Techfest website.
All participants must mail their entries to theignobels@techfest.org with subject "The IG Nobels - <Reg No.>".
The organizers reserve all rights to change any or all of the above rules as they deem fit. All changes will be highlighted on the website and registered participants shall be informed by email.
Since the judging criterion is in all great extent qualitative, the decision of the judge and the coordinator will be final.

3.2 Team Specification

A team should consist of maximum of 2 members. Students from different educational institutes can form a team.

3.3 Eligibility

All students with a valid identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to participate in The IG Nobels at Techfest 2009.

3.4 Registration