In the powder printing process coloured glass powder in three base colours is deposited in precisely the right quantities at the right spot on a sheet of glass. The sheet of glass is then heated in an oven until the glass powder melts into the underlying glass whereby the three base colours mix into the right colour. This smelting process is also able to create a relief on the glass. The end result is characterised by exceptionally clear, transparent colours that have an excellent outside durability.
Property spectrum: Segmentation
This trend deals with splitting up a product of system into smaller units or subunits. Smaller units will facilitate transport and subunits could
separate different functions. Here the powdered glass is
better for printing on glass.
It's only taken about a million years, but someone has finally decided that improvements are possible in automobile braking lights. Students from Virginia Tech have developed a new system that can show not just whether you're stopping, but if you're slowing down, when you're about to stop, and how quickly you're pressing the pedal. The concept uses an array of horizontally arranged LED lights -- when you begin to slow, lights in the center glow orange, after a certain threshold side lights turn to red, and if you're slamming on the brake, they'll all flash red.
The team, led by mechanical engineering Professor Mehdi Ahmadian, has plans for the system beyond the lab, though they speculate that it will be easier to add them as additional indicators on commercial vehicles at first. If this pans out, someday soon we may all be tailgating a totally psychedelic light show.
Property spectrum: Coordination
This principle describes the coordination between components, systems, and their environments towards a common goal.The
coordinated action here shows how hard the brake is pressed by
pulsating LED's.
These plant examining glasses bring technology developed by NASA and the Department of Agriculture and brings to your humble backyard. Put these on and you'll be able to see areas of your lawn that may need a little help long before you'd observe the problems with your naked eyes. The lenses block out the green reflected by chlorophyll in the healthy areas of your lawn and garden, causing those areas to show as black or gray. Any unhealthy spots, deficient in chlorophyll, will show up as pink, red or coral colours. It's the plant equivalent of full-body MRIs that detect problems before their symptoms surface.
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 be helpful in detecting something.
A new temperature-sensitive varnish developed by researchers at French company Eurovia can be applied to road surfaces to warn drivers about dangerous conditions. The technique, still at the testing stage, might help prevent ice-related traffic accidents in future, the researchers say.
The varnish is made of a polymer containing a thermo
chromic pigment. The same type of coating is already used to make bath thermometers and frozen food packaging that responds to temperature change. However, it is the first time such a coating has been used to monitor road temperatures.
Property spectrum: Colour
The increased use of colour here helps add a warning
indicator to the system. The paint changes colour to warn you of the dangerous driving conditions.
This month we selected the submission of Herman Meines from
Het Buitenhuis.
Clean air, purified by negative ions which together with a full spectrum daylight, generates a healthy environment and living / workplace.
Cleans the air, eliminates dirt, smoke, smoke, pollen, dust without issuing ozone. Prevents allergies including hay fever and improved conditions such as bronchitis and asthma.
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.
The addition of a field is used
in a light bulb to purify the air.
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
MoreInspiration course
If you enjoy
CREAX newsletters, you will enjoy our hands-on MoreInspiration course. Our next 2-day
course is scheduled for the
28th &
29th
of May 2008 and the following course for the 25th & 26th of
June
2008. This first course in French will be given on
21st & 22nd
of May 2008.
CREAX also offers exclusive company specific courses. Participants
learn how to apply the CREAX Methodology in their day-to-day job.
(more info)
On April 22nd & 23rd, CREAX participated as a partner at the
4TH STRATEGIC INNOVATION FORUM in Barcelona. The central theme was ‘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.’
During the conference, CREAX exhibited its Innovation Gallery, classifying products and technologies according to the CREAX Innovation Methodology. The methodology was presented by Simon Dewulf, MD of CREAX.
We would like to thank the many participants for their enthusiastic comments and appreciations.
CREAX's company restaurant on Jobat TV
Jobat.be, the Belgian
recruitment website has recently launched its new TV broadcast. Each
report highlights a different theme related to the work environment. Jobat TV chose CREAX in their coverage of “lunch at work” seeing that CREAX offers a sociable lunch atmosphere, fresh soup and home cooked warm meals daily.
See the video.
Upcoming events
The following events have been planned for the coming months:
New Product Development Strategies
(Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
Ensuring Market Success and ROI through Innovative Strategies and Technologies.
15-16 June 2008
ISPIM Conference
(Tours, France)
Conference which brings together academics, business leaders, consultants and other professionals involved in innovation management.
If you enjoy
CREAX newsletters, you will enjoy our hands-on MoreInspiration course. Our next 2-day
course is scheduled for the
28th &
29th
of May 2008 and the following course for the 25th & 26th of
June
2008. This first course in French will be given on
21st & 22nd
of May 2008. 
The following events have been planned for the coming months:
Glass
powder printing
Smart
brake lights
Purple
shaded glasses to spot garden troubles
Paint
turns pink when cold
Freshlight cleans air
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