MoreInspiration Newsletter February 2008
Dear CREAX newsreader,
The first month of the year has already passed. The highlights of this issue are: |
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Innovation Highlights |
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Ordinary solar cells are pretty complicated technology, even though the theories behind them are reasonably simple. They are also expensive since the manufacture gets pretty much as complicated as the tech.
A couple of companies have presented ideas for the manufacture of solar cells that in principle means that they can be printed on a thin metal film. Since manufacture with the printing method would resemble an ordinary printing press, the cost could be a tenth of what is the case today, and they could make solar energy available to more, and cheaper than fossil fuels
 http://www.bookofjoe.com/
 filed under: energy, materials, nanotechnology
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, such as liquid solar cells for printing.
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What do you get when you develop a digital camera that lacks one of the most important benefits that digital cameras provide? This EazzzY USB camera concept from designer Sungwoo Park that's what. The device is stripped down to its bare functions—only one button, a pinhole sized viewfinder, and USB connectivity.
Apparently the idea was to develop a camera that provides users with the thrill of not knowing how their shots turned out without having to use traditional film.
http://www.yankodesign.com/
filed under: computers & accessories , electronics
Property spectrum: Trimming
Systems can also benefit by containing less and less components, while managing to maintain or in some instances actually increase functionality. This USB camera has been reduced to the bare necessities.
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Store shelves that know when they need restocking are one of many potential applications for a novel sensing foam developed by researchers in Europe.
Shelves fitted with a thin layer of the foam can tell when products are out of stock, allowing a store to automatically monitor supply. And the foam could give other objects and surfaces sensing abilities, the researchers say.
The foam is made from flexible sheets of polyolefin, each a quarter of a millimetre thick and containing air gaps that make the material light and elastic. The same substance is currently used to make insulation for pipes and for padding in packaging.
http://technology.newscientist.com/
filed under: electronics, materials, retail
Property spectrum: Information
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 a monitoring system.
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This month we selected the submission of Jos Deboosere from Deboosere Telecom.
There's already plenty of waterproof cameras out there for those looking to engage in a little casual underwater photography, but those wanting to step up their game a bit may want to consider Liquid Image's new underwater digital camera mask, which'll let you capture those action packed moments as you fight off a shark, or pick up sea shells.
You apparently won't be able to do that any deeper than 15 feet, however, and you'll have to make do without an optical zoom or most of the other features you'd expect from a regular camera. On the upside, you will get crosshairs on the googles themselves to help line up your shot, and you'll be able to capture as much VGA video as you can cram onto a microSD card
http://www.liquidimageco.com/
filed under: electronics, optics, sports
Property spectrum: Integration
This property describes integrating different functions in your product to increase the user convenience. Some of the benefits of adding additional functions are: reducing number of systems required and improved operability.
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This month we also selected the submission of Dirk Vervaeke from ProductRescue.
Gibson, one of the leading guitar manufacturers who has been raising the bar since they first arrived into the scene, has just launched the bar into the upper troposphere. They have done this with their newest guitar, aptly named The Gibson Robot Guitar.
“Introducing the Gibson Robot Guitar - the world’s first guitar with robotic technology. All you have to do is play it.”
http://www.gibson.com/
filed under: entertainment, technologies
Property spectrum: Automation
This property describes a system’s decreasing reliance and burden on humans as it evolves. Systems tend to become increasingly automated. The user no longer needs to tune the guitar before playing. Just pick it up and play.
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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. |
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.
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Betafence Annual Executives Meeting at CREAX
 CREAX proudly hosted the annual Betafence executives meeting. This wonderful event took place in the CREAX innovation institute. During the event Betafence revealed a new and innovative gate for the residential market.
Are you interested in hosting an event at CREAX? If so, contact Nele Dekeyser.
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CREAX at Front End of Innovation
 CREAX gave a presentation at the Front End of Innovation event in Vienna Austria,. This event is the leading innovation event in Europe.
CREAX thanks all the visitors of the CREAX booth at Front-end-innovation Conference Vienna.
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Reseller BD&PM Event
 On Monday 28/01/08, Italian CREAX Partner BD&PM, organised an event, where Mathieu, operations Director CREAX, was invited to present the company and the CREAX methodology. Participants covered various segments from both the political as the business:
Managers of Public Administration Departments (Region Lombardy, “Monza and Brianza” local Councils)
Managers of the main Business Associations (covering the majority of our Lombardy production network)
Manager and owners of Large production Companies.
CREAX would like to thank all attendees for their participation and interest in CREAX.
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Job offer: Trainer for Training Centre
 We are looking for someone to manage and maintain our training centre. You will be responsible for the further growth of our training centre. You will be responsible for defining the training offer, the development of training material and the coordination of the external and internal coaches.
Interested? |
Upcoming events
 The following events have been planned for the coming months:
| 21-22 February 2008 |
European Business Summit (Brussels, Belgium)
Europe’s number one dialogue between business leaders and policy makers. |
| 9-10 April 2008 |
C&E Days Benelux (Gent, Belgium)
Tradeshow and congress based on Industrial
and Product Design, Engineering tools, Drive and Management
and Materials and Connection Techniques. |
| 11 April 2008 |
Joseph Pine at CREAX (Ieper, Belgium)
Author of "Mass Customization" comes to speak
at CREAX. |
| 23-24
April 2008 |
4th Strategic Innovation Forum (Barcelona, Spain)
Delivering breakthrough, sustainable and customer-centric innovation by shifting mindsets
and capitalising on open innovation and entrepreneurial spirit from within
to drive business growth and remain the innovation leader. |
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Miscellaneous
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CREAX n.v. Mlk.Plumerlaan 113 8900 Ieper Belgium
info@creax.com www.creax.com
Tel +32 57 229480 Fax +32 57 229481 |
Printed solar cells 
USB Digital Camera 
Intelligent foam
Underwater digital camera mask
Self-tuning guitar
Company news
