Transparent TV

Designed by Michael Friebe, the new TV set has a frameless glass surface and that has made it to completely blend into the environment when not in use. But when set to work, the television will produce "non-transparent / solid moving pictures with rich color reproduction and full contrast range from solid black to pristine white" as it utilizes a creative combination of conventional LCD and the latest TOLED display technology.

http://www.inewidea.com/
filed under: electronics, household, technologies

Property spectrum: Transparency
Increasing transparency improves ease of inspection and saves energy. The transparent TV blends into the background and creates a more harmonious environment.

Folding Concrete Block

Engineers would call the QuaDror a "space truss geometry," a wonky term for a sort of geometrical jujitsu: a structural joint that looks a little like a sawhorse, but can fold flat, making it both stunningly sturdy, remarkably flexible, and aesthetically pleasing.

The form is constructed of four identical L-shaped pieces, in which the angles are all the same, that operates with a kind of yin/yang action through a unique corner hinge. That allows it to open up for its full expression, or fold flat. It's always parallel to the ground and identical from all four sides.

http://www.fastcodesign.com/
filed under: architecture, building & construction

Property spectrum: Symmetry
The symmetry trend is relevant as many traditional manufacturing systems are tuned to mass-manufacture of symmetrical artefacts. Changing symmetry can help create a flexible, foldable product.

Hexapedal Robot

With new levels of mobility and durability, and the capability for rapid behaviour development with a modular payload system, X-RHex is an effective research machine both in the laboratory and in outdoor field tests.

Six powerful motors actuate compliant legs, allowing X-RHex to traverse a wide variety of terrains, including asphalt, grass, sand, mud, and rocks. By using a mil-spec rail mounted interface and standard electrical connections, X-RHex can support a wide variety of payloads, making it a mobile "laboratory on legs". Now adding an extra sensor or testing a new behavioural algorithm is as easy as on a bench in the lab.  

http://kodlab.seas.upenn.edu/
filed under: machines & engines, military & defence,  technologies

Property spectrum: Flexibility
Increasing flexibility is one of the most applied properties. Many products evolve from rigid to completely flexible. The flexible legs help the robot to traverse a wide variety of terrains.

Body browser

http://bodybrowser.googlelabs.com/
filed under: computers & accessories, technologies

Property spectrum: Market
During the life cycle, products evolve from commodity over product and service to experience, as customer expectations increase with time. This online service lets you explore the human body in great detail.

Smart Medication Blisters

OtCM smart blisters are standard existing medication blisters enhanced with an electronic circuitry. This electronic circuitry is applied as a self-adhesive label. Removing medication from the blister breaks one of the conductive tracks of the circuitry.

This allows the system to record data about :

• Time and date
• Particular position
• Other clinically relevant information

The electronic circuitry also contains Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This enables retrieval of the stored data using a mobile phone or a dedicated Near Field Communication (NFC) reader.

http://www.dsm.com/
filed under: healthcare, packaging, pharmaceutical

Property spectrum: Feedback
Systems and subsystems tend to evolve from requiring external input to becoming self-controlling through the use of feedback mechanisms. Adding RFID to blisters can help inform nurses and doctors of your medication intake.

Nanotechnology Coating On Aircraft

Easyjet is to trial a nanotechnology coating on its aircraft aimed at reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency.

The low-cost carrier said that the Triple O coating, in use with the US military for the past 25 years, is a polymer that cross links and bonds to the paint surface, and adds an estimated 4oz to the weight of the aircraft. 

Applied and distributed in Britain by Poole-based Triple O Performance Solution, the coating is claimed to reduce the build-up of debris on an aircraft's structure, leading edge and other surfaces, reducing drag on the surface of an aircraft.

Triple O Performance Solution said the coating is applied in three stages. The surfaces are cleaned and then an oxalic-acid wash is applied to purge the pores of the surface and charge it with a positive polarity. The surface then receives anionic nanoparticles of the Triple O emulsion, which are pulled into the pores magnetically and held there while the protective chemicals have cross linked, bonded and cured, locking Triple O into the paint.

The manufacturers of the coating estimate that it could reduce Easyjet's fuel consumption by 1-2 per cent.

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/
filed under: aerospace, materials

Property spectrum: Surface
This property describes the evolution of surface texture. Surfaces tend to evolve from flat, smooth surfaces towards bumpy surfaces. The coating on the aircraft helps prevent debri build up.