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November 2005
Welcome to our November issue of the newsletter.
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The worlds lightest solid
 Aerogel is not like conventional foams, but is a
special porous material with extreme micro porosity on a micron scale. It is composed of individual features only a few nanometers
in size. These are linked in a highly porous dendritic-like structure.
This exotic substance has many unusual properties, such as low thermal conductivity, refractive index and sound speed - in
addition to its exceptional ability to capture fast moving dust.
http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov
Trend: Decreasing density
Another trend associated with the general theme 'doing more with less'. There is a general tendency to replace materials
with less dense ones. Doing this can result in increased strength/weight ratio, reduced consumption of material resource or
increased component flexibility.
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 A diamond foam article comprises diamond deposited
material on a substrate having an open contiguous structure that permits the flow of fluids in at least one direction through
the material.
Methods for forming a diamond foam article comprise providing a foam substrate; preparing the foam substrate for diamond deposition;
and depositing diamond material on the foam substrate by one of several diamond deposition methods.
Patent US6749931
Trend: Space segmentation
Similar to the aircraft, this product got as many hollows as needed to transform in a foam. Advantages making products
porous are: improve heat transfer, improve strength properties, pass multiple things through object and increase surface area.
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Motorcycle with inwheel motors
 For the last 125 years, motorcycles have been made up
of two wheels and a motor, and they have all been arranged as a wheel, a motor and another wheel - in that order - all of
them. But the freedom afforded to designers by the in-wheel electric motors which technology has recently spawned will make
for some interesting changes over the coming years and Yamaha is the first of the motorcycle manufacturers to seriously look
at alternatives available in the next generation of motorcycles. The Deinonychus prototype takes full advantage of the greater
chassis design freedom afforded by an in-wheel motor, and offers a completely new type of two-wheel-drive (2WD) EV (electric
vehicle) with "Stretch & Shrink" functions in the vertical and horizontal directions.
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp
Trend: Reducing system complexity
Systems tend to initially increase in complexity. Complexity refers to the number of components needed to achieve a
given function within a system or subsystem. Reduced complexity usually results in improved manufacturability and ease of use.
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 Mirage's "interactive motion panels" play "video" clips
- albeit without the use of any electronics or moving parts - on seemingly standard advertising light boxes. Walk by, and
the picture moves. Stop, and it stops with you. Keep going, and it picks up where it left off. Like a fun-house mirror, it
begs passers-by to do a little jig in front of it to see what will happen.
http://www.miragemotionmedia.com
Trend: Controllability
Systems and subsystems tend to evolve from requiring external input to becoming self-controlling through the use of
feedback mechanisms. Using the controllability trend has a lot of advantages, for example: you can have an adaptive system,
increased use of self-functions and reduced likelihood of failure.
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Porous wing reduces fuel usage
 This month we selected the submission of Alexis
Dejonghe from Drukkerij Dejonghe, an example of the previously mentioned space segmentation
trend.
 As an aircraft flies through the atmosphere, a portion of its total aerodynamic
drag is caused by the friction of stationary air meeting the surface of the moving aircraft. The F-16XL laminar flow test panel
is designed to create a laminar, or smooth, layer of air at the leading edge of the wing, and produce flow characteristics
which will help maintain that laminar flow.
A suction system below the panel and within the fuselage draws part of the air flowing over the wing through 10 million tiny
laser-cut holes in the glove to stabilize the air flowing over the wing, and prevent it from becoming turbulent.
http://www.nasa.gov
Trend: Space segmentation
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Please do not hesitate to send
us a great innovation you have spotted.
We might include it in our next month issue. |
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 CREAX seminar
If you enjoy CREAX newsletters, you will enjoy our hands-on Systematic Innovation seminar. Our next 2days seminar is
scheduled for the 23rd & 24th of November.
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)
" Motivating, fun, appropriate, benefit driven and powerful "
Pieter H., Capgemini, The Netherlands |
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:
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, Managing Director, CREAX
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CREAX n.v. Mlk.Plumerlaan 113 8900 Ieper Belgium
T +32 57 229480 F +32 57 229481
info@creax.com www.creax.com
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