October 2005

Welcome to our October issue of the newsletter.

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- Projection in the air
- Flat paintable speaker wire
- Thermometer without physical contact
- Clean water with straw

- Rear view helmet: spotted by a CREAX newsreader

Please feel free to send us your suggestions, remarks or ask us for additional information.

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

the CREAX-team
www.creax.com
info@creax.com

 

 
 Projection in the air

The FogScreen is a new invention which makes objects seem to appear and move in thin air. It is a screen you can walk through. The FogScreen is created by using a suspended fog generating device, there is no frame around the screen. The installation is easy: just replace the conventional screen with FogScreen. You don't need to change anything else - it works with standard video projectors.
With a new interactive add-on you can also use the air as your user interface. Operate computers by touching only the air with your bare hand.
http://www.fogscreen.com

Trend: Object Segmentation
Object Segmentation is one of the most prominent trends. It describes an evolution of products and processes starting with solid matter and then moving to liquids, gases and finally fields. Each step in this direction can deliver significant benefits.
In this case the classic solid screen has evolved to a fog.

 
 Flat paintable speaker wire

Taperwire is a flat adhesive-backed speaker-wire that you can stick to your walls and paint over: You don't need to drill. You just have to press the Taperwire on the wall and to attach your speakers and sound system. When the wire is hidden by paint, wallpaper or spackle, this paper-thin wire will go unnoticed.
http://www.solutionscatalog.com

Trend: Geometric evolution of linear constructions
Geometric improvement is another innovator. Changing the point shape of any product to a line or curve, will improve compatibility with 'real world' effects. It gives the product a better aesthetic appearance, it improves ergonomics, improves surface area and add new functions. Other examples of products, using this trend, are: paper binders, tubular lamp and break lights.

 
 Thermometer without physical contact

ThermoFocus is a break through in Infrared thermometers. You are now able to take a body temperature reading without touching.
Thermofocus detects the infrared radiation from the surface of the skin and is calibrated to calculate the temperature from the surface area of the forehead. To make Thermofocus easy to use an optical sighting system is employed to display the temperature.
Because ThermoFocus uses a "No Contact" system, it is just more hygienic, easier to use, immediate and even more reliable.
http://www.thermofocus.be

Trend: Object Segmentation
As the fogscreen went from solid to gas, this thermometer goes from solid to field. This thermometer improves the user convenience. A similar evolution relates to the stick pointer to laser pointer.

 
 Clean water with straw

With this pipe filter (LifeStraw TM) people in the 3rd world will have the possibility of having clean water. The world's greatest killer is diarrhoeal diseases from bacteria like typhoid, cholera, e. coli and salmonella. With LifeStrawTM, which lasts for one person's annual needs of clean water, nobody needs to die from these diseases.
This design is made with special emphasize on avoiding any moving parts, to disregard spare parts, which does not exist in many areas in the 3rd world. But as you need force to implement the filtering, the inventors have chosen to use the natural source of sucking, that even babies are able to perform.
http://www.index2005.dk

Trend: Webs and fibres
Solid components are replaced with webbed and fibrous materials for improved strength/weight ratios, flexibility, and durability. This trend has been used in aircraft wing construction (aluminium sheet to 3D lay-up carbon-fibre composite), Formula 1 car panels, chassis frame, chair design, golf-club shafts, and solar arrays for space applications. The benefit for the Lifestraw is the filtering ability.

 
 Rear view helmet

This month we selected the submission of Alexandre Félix-Alves from INOVA+.
It has taken 7 years of intense research and development to perfect the rear view system that is fitted in every Reevu bicycle helmet.
The patented multiple mirror system that is fitted within every Reevu bicycle helmet is a unique achievement of creative thinking and technical excellence. The mirror system is manufactured from a reflective polycarbonate material rather than glass. Unlike glass, this material is almost impossible to break and is lighter, providing additional safety and comfort to the wearer.
Put simply, the system effectively 'bends' the light around the shape of the top of the head - all within the moulding of the helmet - to provide a clear view of the road behind.
http://www.reevu.com

Trend: Mono-bi-poly various objects
Normal helmets only allow you to look forward. Helmet designers should consider adding one or more other systems and/or functions. This helmet allows you to look behind you and looking forward at the same time.
Adding an extra function can have a lot of advantages such as, that you increase system functionality, increase operability, increase user convenience, reduce packaging, synergy effects, reduce number of systems and reduce net system size.

 

Please do not hesitate to send us a great innovation you have spotted.
We might include it in our next month issue.
 


CREAX seminar
If you enjoy CREAX newsletters, you will enjoy our hands-on Systematic Innovation seminar. Our next 2days seminar is scheduled for the 26th & 27th of October.

CREAX also offers exclusive company specific corporate seminars. Participants learn how to apply the Systematic Innovation Methodology in their day-to-day job in an interactive way. (more info)

"  Very good training, organisation and ambience. I already had a little workshop on TRIZ before, but it was far not as professional!  "
Doris M., Goodyear, Luxembourg

Over the last years, over 400 people subscribed and participated with enthusiasm to the Systematic Innovation Methodology seminars. CREAX trains people both during company-specific in-house seminars, and open training seminars:


Directed Variation 2
Following the September article, CREAX published directed variation: solving conflicts in TRIZ, part 2. Please find it here.

Open house

Last Sunday CREAX organized an innovation museum for the public. We have enjoyed the presence of over 1500 visitors.

Food Technology and Innovation Forum

The World Food Technology & Innovation Forum provides a great opportunity to keep up-to-date on the key issues affecting the industry with particular focus on creating innovation, ingredients and wellbeing focused NPD. There will an extensive range of quality networking activities including drinks receptions, themed lunch discussions and pre-scheduled meetings in the Speed Dating for Business session. Speakers Include:

  • Dr Carolyn Moore, Director of Nutrition & Health, Coca-Cola Company
  • Dr Frans van der Ouderaa, Vice President, Biology, Unilever Corporate Research
  • Jean Feord, Business Manager, Legislation, Leatherhead Food International
  • Hugh McGuire, Chief Executive Officer, Glanbia Nutritionals
  • Dr Hilary Green, Head of Food Intake Control Group, Nestlé
  • Simon Dewulf, General Manager, CREAX


 


 
CREAX n.v. Mlk.Plumerlaan 113 8900 Ieper Belgium
T +32 57 229480 F +32 57 229481
info@creax.com  www.creax.com