MoreInspiration Newsletter December 2007

Dear CREAX newsreader,

It's that time again. Time for the CREAX newsletter, with the best innovations of this month. The highlights of this issue are:

Bone conduction mobile phone	Colour changing car paint
Heart-powered pacemaker	Bolts for joining of hot structure
eCall	Company news

Innovation Highlights

	Bone conduction mobile phone
	Korean handset manufacturer Pantech have unveiled a bone conduction mobile phone that transmits sound to the inner ear using vibration. Not only does the ongoing emergence of bone conduction technology represent a solution for using phones in noisy environments, but it's also a boon for the elderly or those suffering hearing loss for whom the use of conventional speaker phones is problematic. http://www.pantech.com/ filed under: telecom Property spectrum: State Changing the state of a product is one of the most prominent properties in Directed Variation. It describes an evolution of products and processes starting with solid matter and then moving to liquids, gases, sprays and finally fields. Vibration is used here to transmit sound.
	Colour changing car paint
	Nissan is developing a paramagnetic iron oxide paint polymer. Using an electrical charge, the arrangement of iron oxide crystals can be tweaked, adjusting the car's colour. (It just so happens that metal-bodied cars make for excellent conductive surfaces.) http://gizmodo.com/ filed under: automotive, electronics, materials Property spectrum: Colour Why wouldn't you increasing the use of colours of your product. It has many advantages. For example: the ability to make a simple measurement, it can be a warning indicator or it can simply improve the overall aesthetic appearance of your product.
	Heart-powered pacemaker
	Researchers have designed a heart-powered pacemaker. Just as it sounds, the self-powering pacemaker would keep the heart beating by using the person's own heartbeat to power it. An imbedded generator could continously produce power in several ways, such as through electromagnetic induction or the piezoelectric effect (electric energy generated via mechanical stress). http://inventorspot.com/ filed under: energy, healthcare Property spectrum: Action coordination This principle describes the coordination between components, systems, and their environments towards a common goal. Evolution is from a non-coordinated action between subsystem, system, and super-system elements to increasing coordination and synergy between them
	Bolts for joining of hot structure
	With fibre reinforced ceramics a material becomes available, which compared to conventional ceramics shows excellent fracture toughness and extreme thermal shock resistance. Carbon- or SiC-fibres, embedded in SiC matrix, are bridging each starting crack and – by their high strength and elongation – lead to high values for crack resistance and fracture toughness. These properties and the high level of notch insensitivity allow the use of these materials in bolts and screws. The tensile strength is around 300 MPa, the fracture elongation at 0.7% – 0.9%. Standard and special threads are possible for screws and nuts. Under vacuum or inert gas atmosphere temperatures up to 2200°C – the temperature of SiC-decomposition – can be reached. http://www.sirris.be/ filed under: building & construction , nanotechnology, tools Property spectrum: Webs and fibres Solid components are replaced with webbed and fibrous materials for improved strength/weight ratios, flexibility, and durability.These fibre reinforced bolts can withstand much higher temperatures.
	eCall
	This month we selected the submission of Pieter Verbeke. eCall is an electronic safety system in your car that can automatically call emergency services if you have an accident! Even if you are unconscious, the system can inform rescue workers of your exact whereabouts. As a result, crucial response time is saved because the ambulance and the fire brigade can be on their way without the need for any human intervention. http://http://www.6minutes.be/ filed under: automotive, electronics, safety Property spectrum: Automation This property describes a system’s decreasing reliance and burden on humans as it evolves. Systems tend to become increasingly automated. This system calls the emergency services without any human involvement.

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

CREAX company news

CREAX seminar
If you enjoy CREAX newsletters, you will enjoy our hands-on Systematic Innovation seminar. Our next 2day seminar is scheduled for the 27th & 28th of February 2008 and the following course for the 26th & 27th of March 2008.

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



The dates for the 2008 courses can now be found online.




New and updated CREAX website is now online!
A few screenshots from our new site.
CREAX at Front end of Innovation
CREAX is proud to be a partner of Front End of Innovation. CREAX will present its new findings on innovation design on 29 January 2008 at 16:30. The event takes place in Viena, Austria.

CREAX moves to new offices
CREAX has moved to a 1500m2 newly renovated area in our building, making space for the creativity institue.

The offices are connected to the current building, so our address stays the same.

The new building is much larger and allows for more space and more colleagues.

Miscellaneous

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