I think that if you could get the problem statement as concise as "Need a device that can reach X rpms and can only be made of Y and Z and must cost less than N

I think that if you could get the problem statement as concise as "Need a device that can reach X rpms and can only be made of Y and Z and must cost less than N" then the battle is won. Another example of this kind of innovation that comes to mind is using freezing wax as a heat source to keep neonatal babies warm. http://extreme.stanford.edu/projects/embrace http://extreme.stanford.edu/projects/embrace The problem statement for that would be something like, "neonates need to be kept at a stable temp." For this one it might be, "We need some way to separate blood solids from liquids." But maybe even that is too close to a "solution stated as a problem after the fact." I think that challenges like this are commonly used as exercises for undergrad design students. But I love the idea of expanding it. A version of the x-prizes that require basically no capital, just imagination.