SRS solar roof tile

Each tile is 37.4in wide and 18in long, there's generally a 3in overlap leaving 15in of tile exposed to sunlight. A 30 tile per 100 sq ft installation will weigh 240lbs and generate 860 Kw/h per annum (assuming 5.8 peak sun hours). According to SRS Energy: "triple-junction amorphous silicon thin-film technology incorporated within the Solé Power Tile" is manufactured by United Solar Ovonic and "allows the system to produce an estimated 8-20% more energy than incumbent crystalline silicon panels."

Any power generated by the system which is not used by the building (or stored in batteries if that option is chosen) is fed into the grid. Utility companies then give a credit for the amount of energy generated meaning financial benefits can be enjoyed from day one. Each system is monitored to provide feedback so that checks can be made against any credits made..

http://www.gizmag.com/
filed under: building & construction, electronics, energy

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.

Spark plugs giving way to lasers

Ford is working with the University of Liverpool to develop a laser ignition system for internal-combustion engines.

The laser beam is delivered by a thin, fiber-optic cable to a focusing lens that would take up much less space than a spark plug, allowing engineers greater flexibility in designing valves and cylinders. The laser beam can be split to ignite the fuel mixture from multiple points deep in the cylinder, making for a more efficient burn than a spark plug can achieve, reducing emissions and getting better fuel economy. Another advantage to the laser system is that part of the beam can be reflected to a receiver and used to gather data on the fuel mixture and the quality of the burn.

http://reviews.cnet.com/
filed under: automotive, technologies

Property spectrum: State
Products evolve from being a solid matter to a liquid, gas and finally a fields. A laser ignition system requires less space, is more efficient and results in better fuel economy.

Nanostitching for stronger aerospace material

MIT engineers are using carbon nanotubes only billionths of a meter thick to stitch together aerospace materials in work that could make airplane skins and other products some 10 times stronger at a nominal increase in cost.

Moreover, advanced composites reinforced with nanotubes are also more than one million times more electrically conductive than their counterparts without nanotubes, meaning aircraft built with such materials would have greater protection against damage from lightning.

http://web.mit.edu/
filed under: aerospace, materials, nanotechnology

Property spectrum: Size
Producers of all kinds of products are making their products smaller and smaller. The small structures of nanotubes have larger adhesion properties and result in stronger joints .

 MILKOFIL organic milk yarns

Milkofil® is an innovative organic and healthy yarn derived from milk. This extraordinary yarn is particularly suited for contact with the skin in clothing, underwear, and bedding.

Fiber that is made from casein, which is the main protein in milk, has long-term emissions of negative ions. It is thus beneficial for air quality, it stimulates blood circulation, is a natural antibacterial agent, and is sterile. Milk amino acids, which are transferred to the fiber, are a perfect daily treatment for the skin. Milkofil® creates light weaves with a lovely silky look that allows the skin to breathe and humidity to be absorbed.

http://www.filatimaclodio.it/
filed under: food & beverage, textile & clothing

Property spectrum: Webs & fibres
Using available milk proteins to create a new fibre, results in a healthy yarn that is good for your skin and the environment.

Out to help those looking for a quick relaxation fix, a new drink from Canada offers "an acupuncture session" in every can. An antidote to energy drinks like Red Bull, Slow Cow was developed to help people de-stress.

Under the premise that caffeine-packed drinks tend to increase anxiety, Slow Cow contains theanine, chamomile, valerian, passiflora and other ingredients known for their calming effects. The beverage is meant to increase mental awareness while improving relaxation, without the post-hit dip that caffeine and other stimulants cause.

http://springwise.com/
filed under: food & beverage,  leisure, personal care

Property spectrum: Opposites
Increasing the number of dissimilar elements in a system can bring additional functionality, improved operability, and convenience. The opposite here is that the drink is not for extra energy but to help you relax.

VirtualHUD for propeller planes

This month we selected the submission of Ellen Domb, from TRIZ PGR Group.

The VirtualHUD is a simple bolt-on system for any plane with a nose propeller that takes a readout from almost any avionics package or flight GPS system and projects it onto the back of the spinning prop, overlaying information, graphics, warning and waypoints directly over the pilot's view from the cockpit.

It's a simple as that - the HUD is readable pretty much from idle and gets even smoother as prop speed increases. You can stick a strip of white paint along the back of each propeller blade to enhance visibility, but it's pretty effective even without it. And once the system is installed and running, there's rarely any need to take your eyes off the skies - you can easily see your pitch and roll against a horizon line, 'highway in the sky' targets from your GPS, and anything else you can draw from your avionics and GPS systems.

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

Property spectrum: Resources
A lot of products and technologies offer resources which aren’t used at a maximum. Smart solutions make better use of existing resources. Who hasn’t used his mobile phone light, to find the keyhole at night? Even the stuff we think is ‘bad’ in a system can be transformed into something useful if we think about it properly. Can the hot air from your laptop be used as an energy source for your battery? A propeller outside the plane is used here as the projection screen.