Dynamically augmenting wheel system

DAWS is kind of inspired by a motorcycle wheel. Lemme explain, a motorcycle wheel allows you to shift or roll your body into a turn giving the bike improved maneuverability and is accomplished by having rounded wheels. This also implies that a bike wheel has a decreased footprint size when compared to a car wheel and sacrifices traction hurting acceleration, braking and turning speed.

DAWS essentially features eight segments that are guided on a liner bearing at the hub the wheel can shift the entire vehicle without decreasing footprint size. The motion is kinda similar to our foot movement than a conventional wheel.

http://www.yankodesign.com/
filed under: automotive, machines & engines

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. A wheel in 8 parts increases grip when the center of gravity of a vehicles shifts during cornering.

But when someone or something passes by the window they block the amount of light hitting it, which reduces the amount of fluorescent radiation being produced, which can be measured by the sensors and used to trigger an alarm. In fact, with sensors installed on all four sides of a window frame the system can even extrapolate the size of the object, which direction it's moving and how fast it's going.

At the moment the Vigilant window system is still in development, but demo systems already exist and the researchers claim the special nanoparticle coating can be easily applied as a spray-on finish or as a glued on film.

http://www.ohgizmo.com/
filed under: building & construction, electronics, safety

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 detect when someone moves in front of it.

Coatings that 'self-heal' in the sun

The work by University of Southern Mississippi researchers is reported in the journal Science. They designed molecules joining ring-shaped molecules called oxetane with chitosan. The custom-made molecules were added to a standard mix of polyurethane, a popular varnishing material that is also used in products ranging from soft furnishings to swimsuits. Scratches or damage to the polyurethane coat split the oxetane rings, revealing loose ends that are highly likely to chemically react.

In the ultraviolet light provided by the sun, the chitosan molecules split in two, joining to the oxetane's reactive ends. "In essence you create a scratch, and that scratch will disappear upon exposure to the sun," said Professor Marek Urban, director of the university's school of polymers and high-performance materials.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/
filed under: chemistry, materials

Property spectrum: Activity
Materials increasingly evolve from passive to full adaptive materials. E.g. shape memory alloys and thermo chromic materials. Ultraviolet light causes the molecules to split and join to the reactive ends of the oxetane.

Easy motion-sensing light bulb

The Smarthome Screw-in Motion Sensing Light Adapter, as the name applies, screws into a typical bulb socket - no screwdrivers required. Turn on the light switch and the bulb will turn on only when it detects motion, then shuts off automatically when there's no movement within a 16-foot range. The length of time it stays on is adjustable from 5 to 100 seconds. It retails for $25, but who knows how much you'll save in energy costs? I

http://dvice.com/
filed under: environment, household, lighting

Property spectrum: Different components
Increasing the number of dissimilar elements in a system can bring additional functionality, improved operability, and convenience. The component here is a motion detector that detects movement and automatically switches in and off.

SolarCats - solar rechargeable batteries

This so-called solarcat is actually a solar battery. Oh, no, it is not the traditionally solar battery; instead, it is a solar powered rechargeable battery. In order to charge the rechargeable battery, we usually have to buy an additional charger, but this one can charge itself without any extra device. Thanks to the flexible solar panels skin, this solarcat can be recharged just by bathing in the sunglight.

http://www.inewidea.com/
filed under: electronics, energy, environment

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 flexible solar panels eliminates the need for an extra battery charger.

 Philips' transparent OLED lighting

We're still looking at another 3 to 5 years of development here, but transparent OLED lighting panels are definitely on the way. This 12-centimeter prototype panel developed by Philips Research is transparent until flipping the switch for illumination. Unfortunately, the panels are currently limited in size due to complexities in the manufacturing process that necessitate a clean-room environment.

http://www.engadget.com/
filed under: lighting, technologies

Property spectrum: Transparency
Products that are transparent have multiple advantages, other than a better aesthetic appearance, e.g.: increased natural illumination, saving energy, increased visibility for safety and ease of inspection.