|
|
| Mucus membranes, such as those in the intestine, nose, eyes, vagina and mouth, are good targets for therapeutic drug delivery thanks to their large surface area and rich blood supply. But these membranes, which can be several hundreds of microns thick, are important barriers to drug penetration. Previous delivery devices focused on microscale structures that were chemically modified with molecules like lectins so that they would better adhere to mucus cells. Yet the problem here is that such devices are eliminated in a matter of hours as the mucus naturally turns over. Now, a team led by Tejal Desai and Kayte Fischer of the University of California at San Francisco, has shown that silicon nanowires can penetrate the mucus layer and adhere to the underlying epithelium. This means that the nanowires remain on the cells for up to three days (the cell turnover time). "Our result supports the notion that decreasing the size of surface structures increases adhesion - whether through van der Waals adhesion or other nanoscale interactions with cells," said Desai.
http://nanotechweb.org/
filed under:
pharmaceutical
Property spectrum: Size
Producers of all kinds of products are making their products smaller and smaller.
The smaller surface structures of nanowires have much larger
adhesion properties than other microscale structures.
|
|
Colour picker
|
Colour is one of the most important factors of painting, but it is hard to get a nature
colour just like the real object. But this colour picker can help you finish this hard work. The built-in scanner can help you get the
colour of any object in real word and then, after the process of the chip, the RGB cartridge located within the pen mixes the inks to create the
colour scanned.
http://www.inewidea.com/
filed under:
computers & accessories,
gadgets,
measuring/testing
Property spectrum: Feedback
Systems and subsystems tend to evolve from requiring
external input to becoming self-controlling through the use
of feedback mechanisms. This device can accurately select
the colour of any object you like.
|
|
|
| Colour-changing dyes and additives have been offered in paper, plastic and textiles for some time, but this product takes the idea into a new area: glass tiles. Offered in a range of
colours and sensitivities, the tiles change colour based on ambient temperature, body temperature or water temperature - whatever they're touching. The textured glass surface layer protects and highlights the
colour-change film on the tile. The base colour of the tile can match almost any
colour, and the temperature change point can be fit to the user's environment and requirements. The dynamic
colour change begins at the selected activation temperature and shimmers through three phases, one with each 6 - 10° rise in temperature. Once the temperature peak is passed, the base
colour returns and remains the same until the temperature drops.
The tiles come in six standard lines; each is a different glass texture, and each offers the changing display in different
colour moods and ranges, all matched by complementary decos and liners. In bath/shower rooms and other areas, the tiles could form beautiful water temperature safety gauges or be a visual room temperature marker. But this technology has also been used in art pieces that transform with temperature changes: In one, a cityscape changes from a day to a night scene, complete with lights. The tiles can be used on floors, walls and counters - and, because they use glass that is 20 - 80% recycled, they're a green product.
https://technology.inventables.com/
filed under:
architecture,
optics
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
creating visual effects.
|
|
|
| Josh Silver, a professor of physics at Oxford University, has devised a pair of glasses which rely on the principle that the fatter a lens the more powerful it becomes. Inside the device's tough plastic lenses are two clear circular sacs filled with fluid, each of which is connected to a small syringe attached to either arm of the spectacles. The wearer adjusts a dial on the syringe to add or reduce amount of fluid in the membrane, thus changing the power of the lens. When the wearer is happy with the strength of each lens the membrane is sealed by twisting a small screw, and the syringes removed. The principle is so simple, the team has discovered, that with very little guidance people are perfectly capable of creating glasses to their own prescription.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
filed under:
optics
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. Liquid lenses have the ability of being
focusable by the wearer self.
|
|
|
The No Blind Spot Rear View Mirror has a 180° rear view field of vision, compared to a standard rear view mirror which has a 52° field of view. As you can see, the mirror captures the cars on your left and right before they even get to the back corners of your bumper -- right where two major blind spots would prevent you from seeing them in a regular rear view mirror. But with the No Blind Spot mirror, you can see them right up until they come into your peripheral field of vision. And there is no distortion as there may be from your side mirrors.
http://inventorspot.com/
filed under:
automotive,
gadgets,
safety
Property spectrum: Size
Producers of all kinds of products are making their products smaller and smaller. Increasing the size of a product also has its advantages, such as increasing
the surface area for a larger viewing field.
|
|
|
For all the active diabetes sufferers, Ellaluna Taylor has designed the Flex insulin pump system that acts as a "unique prosthetic skin" that is worn naturally under clothing as a discreet glucose management solution. Packaged with a PDA-like glucose eReader for interfacing with the device, the device makes use of soft battery technology and the MEMS Nano Pump for increased dosage accuracy and reliability.
http://www.yankodesign.com/
filed under:
healthcare,
personal care,
pharmaceutical
Property spectrum: Flexibility
Increasing flexibility is one of the most applied properties. Many products evolve from rigid to completely flexible. A flexible pump can stick to the skin
without being a nuisance to the patient.
|
|
2 new top chefs for CREAX Food
CREAX Food would like to welcome 2 new members to their team.
Peter Coucquyt has been the souschef of the Hof Van Cleve for 16
years, Belgium's best Restaurant. In 2008 Peter was awarded a
Michelin star. He is known as one of the most innovative chefs in Belgium and the author of several books on spices, meat, fish and chocolate.
Peter recently joined CREAX and works in the gastronomic experimental laboratory to perform experiments on new aroma combinations.
Nicolas Decloedt obtained his masters degree of art photography at Hogeschool Gent, Belgium. Being passionate about food, Nicolas took an additional degree at the Hotelschool Ter Duinen Koksijde combined with internships at In de Wulf, Mugaritz in San Sebastian, Spain, and le Chalet de la Foręt,
Brussels. As a vegetarian, Nicolas sets himself a personal challenge to create balanced, tasteful, organic and locally inspired dishes on a daily basis. Creativity and out of the box thinking come in handy when sticking to these constraints. |
If you enjoy
CREAX newsletters, you will enjoy our hands-on MoreInspiration course. Our next 2-day
course is scheduled for the
25th &
26th of March and the following course for the
22nd & 23rd of April 2009. 
The following events have been planned for the coming months: