© Siemens

Production methods are changing: new materials and technologies such as 3D printing allow workpieces to be manufactured more functionally and efficiently. However, conventional design software programs do not come close to exploiting this potential. Inventor of the Year Dr. Suraj Musuvathy (36) is developing new algorithms at Corporate Technology in Princeton, New Jersey, that are set to catapult design into the future. The new programs generate grid structures as a basis for design, the geometries of which are 100,000 times more complex than previously possible. The inventor was honored in the 'Talent' category.