MoreInspiration Newsletter February 2010


Dear CREAX newsreader,

This month we have 6 inspirational innovation examples for you:

sockets in
Pavegen slabs collect kinetic energy Preshafruit cold pressure technology
 
Pencil printer ReadyWrench - 16 sockets in 1
 
PowerPost 3D Mobile Phone
   

Innovation Highlights



Pavegen slabs collect kinetic energy

Each rubber slab from UK-based Pavegen Systems gets depressed by about 5 mm each time it gets stepped on. Using just that small movement, it can convert the kinetic energy used into electricity, which is then stored in the slab. Specifically, 5 percent of the energy harvested is used to make the slab's LED glow, making it clear to users that their energy has been captured. The rest can be used to power pedestrian lighting, information displays and many other applications. Pavegen's patent-protected technology has also been used to harvest energy from users' footsteps on stairs; custom branding is available.

http://springwise.com/
filed under: building & construction, energy, technologies

Property spectrum: Coordination
This principle describes the coordination between components, systems, and their environments towards a common goal. Stepping on the paving slab produces kinetic enrgy.




Preshafruit cold pressure technology

To make Preshafruit fruits and juices, High Pressure Processing (HPP) is used. The "mechanism" of HPP is low energy - vitamins, texture and flavour are unchanged.

Preshafruit juices and fruit have been on quite a journey. Before they get to you, they are pressurised Preshafruit fruits at 600MPa which is 6000 times the atmospheric pressure found at sea level or about 6 times more pressure than is found at the bottom of the deepest part of the world's oceans, the Mariana Trench 11 kilometres below sea level.

This pressure inactivates the vegetative micro organisms (bacteria, yeasts and moulds) found in food while keeping the vitamins and bioactive components such as those responsible for aroma and flavour unchanged.

http://preshafood.com.au/
filed under: agriculture, food & beverage

Property spectrum: Density
The density referred to here is that of the pressure applied to preserve flavour and taste.


 

Pencil printer

Instead of creating one long pencil by combining two smaller stubs, simply use the stub as ink instead. The Pencil Printer is even more appealing because it may give you the option of erasing mistakes!

Instead of laser powder, the printer uses pencil lead powder. The printer also has a system to erase the printing paper. This helps save paper.

http://www.trendhunter.com/
filed under: computers & accessories, environment, paper

Property spectrum: Opposites
Increasing the number of dissimilar elements in a system can bring additional functionality, improved operability, and convenience. Not only are pencils reused as the ink, but the text can also be erased.




 ReadyWrench - 16 sockets in 1

This all-in-one wrench puts 16 of the most popular standard and metric socket sizes at your fingertips, in one convenient hand tool. No need to stop and sort through a socket set to find the right size. Simply spin to a larger or smaller socket size.

http://www.blackanddecker.com/
filed under: building & construction, tools

Property spectrum: Flexibility
Increasing flexibility is one of the most applied properties. Many products evolve from rigid to completely flexible. The rotating head allows the socket to adjust to different sizes.




PowerPost

You will need electric outlets everywhere at the workplace, e.g. behind the refrigerator, the stove, and behind the coffee machine. But not everyone could afford to install dedicated electric outlets everywhere you may need, and sometimes we do have to be creative with outlets, and the table with outlets on its leg has provided us with a new choice. Equipping some outlets onto one leg of the table, the designers have successfully solved the problem of messy cords on the floor or the table. Everything is highly organized now!

http://www.inewidea.com/
filed under: electronics, furniture

Property spectrum: Integration
This property describes integrating different functions in your product to increase the user convenience. Adding power sockets to a table leg, eliminates the need for external extension cords.




3D Mobile Phone

A newly designed and highly-intuitive 3D menu system on the TG02 makes it easy for users to browse though the handset and access a range of entertainment features. Based on the very latest Windows Mobile® 6.5 platform, the TG02 enhances the user experience with its quick and easy operation. An internal 1GHz[ii] processor also makes the TG02 an ideal device for internet browsing, enabling users to quickly access and load websites or stream content.

http://www.slashgear.com/
filed under: electronics, technologies, telecom

Property spectrum: Shape
We live in a three dimensional world, but many of the products we make are limited to one or two dimensions. A new screen lets us see in a 3D way without the need of special glasses.


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 31st March - 1 April 2010.

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

See the other course dates.

Open Innovation maps in Creation Suite

Our online tool allows you to find opportunities for Open Innovation by generating visual maps of domains and links with other companies.

The Creation Suite software uses a patent database of 70 million documents to explore which domains and activities you share with others.

In the case of “Goodyear” the tool indicates a link with “Kraft”. However, at first glance there is no apparent links to be made between a tire company and a food company. Using the software we can discover that there is a link between the 2 companies in the way they cut viscous materials. Goodyear cuts viscous rubber, and Kraft cuts viscous cheese.

To find out more about the Creation Suite software and opportunities of knowledge transfer between domains, please contact Vincent Theeten.

Front End of Innovation a success

CREAX would like to thank the attendees that visited the CREAX stand and attended the presentation, given by CEO Simon Dewulf, for their enthusiastic reactions. For the first time, CREAX presented its brand new, state-of-the-art Creation Suite patent robot to the wider public. Based on the reactions, the CREAX software promises to set a new standard in computer aided innovation and creativity. Please contact us for a free company-specific demo.

FEI Europe is a unbiased platform for showcasing Front End of Innovation best practices, presented by best in class lead users. The European programme attacks present and future challenges through content rich, thought-provoking conversations.

Upcoming events

The following events have been planned for the coming months:
24-25 February 2010 NPD & Innovation for the Process Industry
(Amsterdam, The Netherlands) Read more
15-16 March 2010 Strategies D’Innovation (Paris, France)
31 March - 1 April 2010 MoreInspiration Course (Ieper, Belgium)
25-26 May 2010 MoreInspiration Course (Ieper, Belgium)

Miscellaneous

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