PHILADELPHIA -- A machine that could revolutionize the clean-up of landmines in war-stricken countries has taken the top prize at the first PennVention competition, a contest designed to encourage and reward University of Pennsylvania student inventors and entrepreneurs.

The $5,000 grand prize winning team, HRI Minesweeper, is comprised of Samuel Reeves, a senior at Penn's Wharton School, and friend Josh Koplin.  Their device, a machine designed to detonate landmines more safely and cheaply than any existing mine-clearing device, represents the start of a viable solution to a compelling global problem.  

The second place award of  $2,500 went to Intellistem, a team comprised of engineering students Jonathan R. Danoff and Jared Bernheim. Intellistem created an orthopedic, prosthetic implant for total hip arthroplasty that is designed to last 50-100% longer an additional 10-20 years than a typical implant.   The team also won the Leonardo DaVinci Prize $5000 cash award and an offer of representation under standard terms by Competitive Technologies Inc.

The third place award of $1,000 was given to Sunsak, an innovative beach towel designed by Wharton senior Allison Floam.  Sunsak also received a  $2,500 QVC Consumer Product Award, which includes a consulting meeting meeting with a buyer from QVC Inc.

The competition, run by Penn's Weiss Tech House , began with 56 teams. The top two prize winners will also receive five hours of legal service and advice from Lowensten Sandler PC.

Judges from the PennVention final competition were Kim Maguire, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of QVC Inc.; Shawn Marcell, managing director of Science Center Capital; John Nano, president and chief executive officer of Competitive Technologies Inc.; John Osher, chairman of Ridgewood Industries Inc.; and Douglas Bernstein of Lowenstein Sandler PC.  

For more information on the winning team, visit:  www.humanisticrobotics.com. 

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