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January 2006
Welcome to our January issue of the newsletter.
Directed Variation (DIVA) is an improvement on Systematic Innovation (SIM). DIVA describes a way of conducting problem solving
and innovation studies and it is especially aimed at rapid and more effective building of an in-company competence in effective innovation.
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up now.
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Endless warm water with tankless water heater
 A company based in Canada, Pulsar Advanced Technologies,
is set to release the Vulcanus MK4, a water heater that uses microwave technology to heat water on demand. The Vulcanus MK4
should be able to heat water from 2 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius in seconds and could source multiple applications
at once: showers, dishwasher, sink usages and more. The water heater is the size of a stereo speaker with a modern look,
making it suitable for condos and apartments.
http://www.pulstech.com
Property Spectrum: State
One of the most prominent property spectra is the state. 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 heating system has evolved from liquid(oil fuel) or gas to field.
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 Nissan has developed the world's
first clear paint that repairs scratches on painted car surfaces, including scratches from car-washing machines, off-road
driving and fingernails. "Scratch Guard Coat" contains a newly developed high elastic resin that helps prevent scratches
from affecting the inner layers of a car's painted surface. With "Scratch Guard Coat" a car's scratched surface will return
to its original state anywhere from one day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of the scratch.
http://www.nissan-global.com
Property Spectrum: Automation
Ideally we achieve desired functions without cost or harm, then we often derive statements like 'the system achieves
the function itself', or 'the problem resolves itself'.
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 Glass fogs up when warm, moist air comes into contact
with glass and cools so that thousands of tiny water droplets form on the glass. The droplets scatter light, making oncoming
traffic hard to see. Rubner and his research team using Nanotechnology have developed a permanent coating which keeps fog
at bay. Their superhydrophillic - water loving - coating is composed of nanoparticles made of silica, the same material that
glass is made from, to create a coating with a rough surface, although it looks smooth to the naked eye.
The silica particles form layers of tiny pores, each a thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair. The pores attract
the tiny droplets of water that make up the foggy surface. Stacked ten to twenty layers thick, with air pockets in between,
these pores create what's called a "wicking" effect, which forms the water droplets into a uniform sheet.
http://www.newlaunches.com
Property Spectrum: Surface
Replacing all flat surfaces with protruded ones can give numerous advantages such as increasing structural strength,
protecting against wear, self-cleaning or lotus-effect and also reducing drag.
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 The next wave in electronics could be wavy electronics.
Researchers have developed a form of single-crystal silicon that can be stretched so that electronic circuits could be fabricated
on rubber. To prove the concept, professor John Rogers, a materials scientist at at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Chamapign,
and his colleagues made diodes and transistors that matched the performance or rigid devices, but "could be repeatedly stretched
and compressed without damage."
http://www.news.uiuc.edu
Property Spectrum: Flexibility
Similar to the carpaint, the battery has evolved from a immobile object to a flexible one. Advantages making products
flexible are: more compact folding, positional flexibility, multi-way switching and compound properties.
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 This month we selected the submission of Floris
Van Cauwelaert.
 This may look like a common winter cap, but it could be a substitute
for helmets. Some new models of Ribcap are available in an exclusive Dyneema version. Dyneema is a firm, tear- resistant synthetic
fibre which due to it's special qualities is often used for protective work clothing. The anti-shock ribs, made of a high quality
and breathable material (d3o), are absorbing the impact. d3o exisits of new molecules that
are flexible in normal use, but close at the time of an impact by which the bump is absorbed for the most part.
http://www.ribcap.com
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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 22nd & 23rd of February.
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 interesting and inspiring course. I learned a lot. One of my best courses. "
Mark v.D., Philips, 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:
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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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