Sometimes it is the unexpected or overlooked that can have the greatest impact. UltraRope is a new carbon-fibre cable for lift shafts that could revolutionise our skylines, and possibly even our journeys through space

This year's awards ceremony took place last night in London. You can read the full list of winners here

Our January issue, available now, features profiles of all 11 of the 2014 Icon Awards winners and information about the runners-up

Jake Evill's Cortex 3D-printed cast won in 2013. Check out this year's nominees for Techonology of the Year