TIME magazine has named several inventions developed by University of California (UC) faculty and alumni among its Best Inventions of 2025. The annual list recognizes technologies and products that have the potential to impact daily life and shape the future.
UC faculty and graduates contributed to 13 of the inventions featured this year, spanning areas such as health, agriculture, computing, and environmental sustainability. These include innovations like a device for controlling Parkinson’s tremors, a therapy for reversing baldness, and new approaches to species conservation.
The university’s innovation ecosystem has played a role in supporting these achievements. UC campuses provide resources such as business clubs, incubators, accelerators, and technology commercialization experts to help move ideas from development to market. This infrastructure connects campus innovators with industry partners locally and globally.
Some highlighted inventions include:
– BrainSense adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), co-developed by UC San Francisco neurologist Simon Little, which uses algorithms to regulate brain signals in people with Parkinson’s disease.
– ChompSaw, created by UC Davis alum Kausi Raman, is a child-safe power tool designed for cutting cardboard without blades or spinning parts.
– HerBrain, led by UC Santa Barbara assistant professor Nina Miolane, is developing a digital model of the maternal brain based on data from seven UC campuses.
– Majorana 1, a quantum computer chip developed under the leadership of UC Santa Barbara professor Chetan Nayak in collaboration with Microsoft.
– Memory Air, invented by UC Irvine professor Michael Leon, uses scents during sleep to improve memory in older adults.
– Non-invasive blood cloning techniques for endangered species, overseen by UC Santa Cruz professor Beth Shapiro at Colossal Biosciences.
– PP405 from Pelage Pharmaceuticals, founded by UCLA professors William Lowry, Heather Christofk, and Michael Jung, is a molecule-based therapy targeting hair regrowth.
– Salmon Saku from Wildtype, co-founded by UC Berkeley alum Justin Kolbeck, is the first FDA-approved lab-grown seafood.
– Scout Gen 5 vineyard management software was co-founded by UC Davis alum Kia Behnia and assistant professor Mason Earles.
– SoundHealth Sonu headband for drug-free sinus relief was co-developed by UC San Francisco alum Dr. Peter Hwang.
– TPSea Flex compostable retail bags were invented by UC Santa Barbara alum Julia Marsh and UC Berkeley alum Matt Mayes.
– Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s development involved contributions from UC Santa Cruz astronomers.
– WattTime Automated Emissions Reduction technology was founded by UC Berkeley alum Gavin McCormick. The system surpassed one billion free users in over 200 countries as of September 2025.
“You can change what time you use energy, and you can change where,” said Gavin McCormick about WattTime’s approach.
The recognition from TIME follows another recent achievement: six UC campuses—Berkeley, UCLA, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Davis, and Irvine—were named among the top 100 universities worldwide for undergraduate alumni who have launched venture-backed businesses.
Sonia Fernandez, Mike Peña, Tom Vasich, John Harlow, Rose Miyatsu and Robin Marks contributed reporting.
