Lab Report

March 21, 2019
No. 81

THIS WEEK
Launched today: MagQuest, a $1.2M open innovation challenge.

Plus: moon entrepreneurs, pollution detection, health chatbots, and statistical significance.

Featured story

OPEN INNOVATION

Advancing how we measure Earth’s magnetic field

The World Magnetic Model is embedded in thousands of systems — supporting navigation for smartphones, commercial airlines, the military, and more. Today we launched MagQuest, a $1.2 million open innovation challenge on behalf of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, to advance how we measure Earth’s magnetic field.

This prize competition, designed and produced by Luminary Labs through a contract with the NASA Tournament Lab, calls for new ideas to increase the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of geomagnetic data collection. MagQuest brings many of our passions together — business strategy, scientific rigor, and open innovation. We’re honored to pursue a proactive solution to a challenge of this scale and magnitude.

The challenge aims to inspire domestic and international solvers to apply their expertise to spaceborne, aerial, terrestrial, and other potential solution areas. Solvers from small businesses, academic institutions, labs, startups, and other organizations are encouraged to enter the competition.

Do you know innovators working in geophysics, aerospace, CubeSats, drones, or related areas? Let them know about MagQuest and invite them to attend the informational webinar on April 4. Phase 1 submissions close on May 16.

Insights & updates

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A new generation of entrepreneurs wants to go back to the moon.

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Wondering if the air is polluted? Look inside a local beehive.

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Planned Parenthood has developed a new chatbot to answer teens’ questions.

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Is statistical significance still … significant?

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A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points to a rise in fentanyl-related deaths and the beginning of the opioid epidemic’s “third wave.” The Opioid Detection Challenge seeks novel plans to help detect illicit opioids in international mail.

Cool jobs & opportunities

Omidyar Network’s Tech and Society Solutions Lab is looking for a director of platform and product manager in Redwood City, California.

Forum for the Future is recruiting a principal coach, systems change in London.

We’re hiring for several positions in New York:

Please share these openings with your network.

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Email Jessica Hibbard, managing editor: editor@luminary-labs.com.