Research, invention & public education

Free learning.
Ideas worth exploring.

Benny Labs Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing research, invention and education for the public good. Learn to estimate AI costs, evaluate an invention idea and explore how proposed technologies work — with free resources right here.

IRS‑recognized 501(c)(3) public charity
Public tools and learning resources
Benny Labs — mad scientist mascot holding a bubbling green flask
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Useful skills you can practice today

Original guides, worked examples and a free calculator for students, creators, developers and people curious about invention.

Understand an AI bill

Learn what tokens, image charges, retries and subscriptions mean. Work through examples before comparing a provider’s offer.

Read the AI cost guide →

Check a text-model budget

Enter token counts and rates to estimate a charge. The calculator works in your browser, without an account or API key.

Use the free calculator →

Evaluate an invention idea

Separate a concept from evidence. Define assumptions, plan a safe small test and record what you learn.

Read the invention guide →

Browse the learning library · See all programs and current status

Learn from a research concept

How might an invention work?

Read our public explanations of proposed designs. These patent-pending concepts remain in development; the illustrations do not show proven performance.

Concept illustration for Transactional Traffic, a proposed design in development
Research concept · illustrated

Transactional Traffic

A proposed coordination system for connected vehicles. Explore how a request, a verified maneuver and a reward might fit together.

Explore Transactional Traffic →
Concept illustration for Worm Cargo, a proposed design in development
Research concept · illustrated

Worm Cargo

A proposed package-routing system across connected cargo vehicles. Explore the routing problem, transfer steps and design questions.

Explore Worm Cargo →
Concept illustration for Living Nails, a proposed design in development
Research concept · illustrated

Living Nails

A proposed wearable display system with nail screens and electronics in jewelry. Explore the design trade-offs and development questions.

Explore Living Nails →

For a practical way to assess these ideas, start with our invention evaluation guide.

Our mission

We exist to help ideas become real — exploring new technologies and sharing useful tools and knowledge so that progress can benefit society as a whole.

Our current public resources include original learning guides, an AI cost calculator and detailed invention explanations. Our research portfolio includes concepts in development, with proposed uses and testing needs identified separately from resources available today. Visit our Programs page to see who each resource serves and how to participate.

What we do

An engine for invention — and for the public good

We combine invention research with public tools and project explanations that help people explore technology and understand design choices.

Invent & develop

We develop invention concepts and describe their intended uses, design choices and testing needs. Proposed performance remains a research question until it has been demonstrated.

Patent & protect

We document invention concepts and pursue intellectual-property protection while sharing public explanations of the ideas and their intended uses.

License & scale

We seek technical and research collaboration to investigate how proposed technologies could reach people. A concept or patent application is not a completed product or a guarantee of performance.

Educate & inspire

We share public project explanations and digital tools for self-directed learning. Workshops, grants and prizes are future educational aims; this website does not currently announce dates or an open application round.

How it works

From a spark of an idea to real‑world impact

Our research pathway moves from a proposed idea toward testing and public benefit. Each project has its own stage of development; the pathway below is a goal, not a claim that every project has completed every step.

1

Idea

A problem worth solving

2

R&D

Build & prototype

3

Proof of concept

Validate that it works

4

Patent

Secure the IP

5

License

Partners bring it to market

6

Public benefit

Knowledge & impact shared

Access & accountability

Free learning with a clear public purpose

The Foundation shares educational resources and research explanations so people can make informed choices and explore technology.

Learn without a purchase

The guides and calculator on BennyLabs.org are free to use. This website has no checkout or donation form, and no paid account is required to read the materials.

Current project income

As of October 16, 2026, Benny Labs Foundation receives no project revenue, licensing income, commissions or referral fees from Penny Owl, Voco, Newhab, ThermalCore or Lion Brain.

Research and outside links

Research projects have different stages and terms. External sites may discuss commercial activity; that is separate from access to this Foundation learning library.

Our founder

Benny Goldstein

Founder and leader of Benny Labs Foundation

About the Foundation →
Research & public learning

Good questions move ideas forward.

Benny Labs Foundation connects an interest in invention with public education. Our guides and research explanations are a starting point for people learning about technology and design.

Researchers, engineers and educators can contact the Foundation to discuss a specific development question or educational collaboration.

Contact Benny Labs
Real & accountable

A registered public charity you can trust

Benny Labs Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit recognized by the IRS as a tax‑exempt 501(c)(3) public charity. Our mission combines public digital resources, research and education. Current activities and development-stage projects are described on our Programs page.

  • IRS 501(c)(3) determination — public charity status
Mission‑first governance Transparency Independence Public benefit

Official record

Verify nonprofit records through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Read about the Foundation or contact us.

Benny Labs Foundation Inc.Nonprofit public charity
EIN 41‑5363285Federal tax ID
Tax‑exempt since 2026501(c)(3) status effective April 2026
Get involved

Help us build what's next

Explore our public resources, share a research question, or discuss technical and educational collaboration.

Bring an idea

Have an invention or a problem worth solving? Tell us — collaborating with inventors is what we live for.

Partner & license

Researchers, engineers, educators and organizations: discuss a project, its development stage and possible collaboration.

Explore & learn

Read our free learning guides and public invention explanations. Future workshops or awards will be described only when participation details are announced.