Foldable shipping container

Folded containers can also be transported more efficiently: billions are lost every year by transporting air (empty containers). The folding Cargoshell lowers the costs considerably, saves fuel and limits the CO2 emissions.

http://www.cargoshell.com/
filed under: environment, packaging

Property spectrum: Flexibility
Increasing flexibility is one of the most applied properties. Many products evolve from rigid to completely flexible. A shipping container that can collapse has many advantages: less storage space, ability to transport more at a time, lower fuel consumption during transport.

S-shaped hypodermic needle

The device, which is purely mechanical, is based on concepts borrowed from the oil industry. It involves a hollow S-shaped needle containing a filament that acts as a guide wire. When a physician pushes the device against a tissue, he or she is actually applying force only to the filament, not the needle itself, thanks to a special clutch.

When the filament, which moves through the tip of the needle, encounters resistance from a firm tissue, it begins to buckle within the S-shaped tube. Due to the combined buckling and interactions with the walls of the tube, the filament locks into place "and the needle and wire advance as a single unit."

http://web.mit.edu/
filed under: healthcare, materials

Property spectrum: Shape
We live in a three dimensional world, but many of the products we make are limited to one or two dimensions. This trend shows that the evolution to a 3D shape can help guide the needle and wire.

Holograms that respond to touch

Japanese scientists have developed a technology that allows holograms to respond to human touch.

Using ultrasonic waves and Nintendo Wii controllers, scientists created a software program that tracks the movements of a person's hand and allows holograms to respond to the "touch" of a hand.

 Possible uses include holographic controls on hospital machines that could replace easily contaminated physical controls.

http://www.ideaconnection.com/
filed under: computers & accessories, technologies

Property spectrum: Information
Systems and subsystems tend to evolve from requiring external input to becoming self-controlling through the use of feedback mechanisms. This technology can respond to the physical touch of a hand.

 Solar roads

The panels, designed by Solar Roadways founder Scott Brusaw, contain embedded LED lights that might eventually act as a "smart" system, providing travel lines as well as timely warnings to drivers about roadblocks and wildlife up ahead. At the same time, embedded heating elements in the panels could prevent snow and ice from building up on the road.

Once a prototype is complete, Solar Roadways still has a long ways to go before its technology is commercialized. But if and when it is, Brusaw estimates that covering the entire U.S. interstate highway system with his 12" by 12" panels could fulfill the country's energy needs (based on each panel producing 7.6 kilowatt hours of power each day).

http://www.inhabitat.com/
filed under:  automotive, lighting, safety

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.

This new invention is a Hanging Towel Dryer, which is shaped like a bathroom clothes rail, but is actually an air drier.

Drape a wet towel over it, switch it on and in a few minutes or more, you have a warm, dry towel!

http://www.ideaconnection.com/
filed under: gadgets, household

Property spectrum: Components
Increasing the number of dissimilar elements in a system can bring additional functionality, improved operability, and convenience. Adding an air drier to a towel rack, adds the extra function of quicker drying and heating.

AtoD Battery

The AtoD Battery is a memory-foam encased Nickel Hydroxide Rechargeable. The battery provides you with the 1.5 volt power, equivalent of a AA battery. Because of the memory-foam casing, the battery can match any size battery from AAA to D. The batteries standard size is equal to that of a D battery, by squeezing it you can change the size from D to AAA. With this flexible battery you no longer have to buy different sizes of batteries any more.

http://www.gizmag.com/
filed under: electronics, energy, technologies

Property spectrum: Flexibility
This completely flexible battery has the ability to adjust to fit the required size. The battery can be squeezed to an AAA size or used as the original D size.