I-Design finds

Scientists Develop World’s Lightest Metal, 100x Lighter than Styrofoam

2011-11-29T08:43:00.000-08:00

This, we assure you, is a real photograph. Researchers at the University of California Irvine have developed a material that is as strong as metal yet 100 times lighter than Styrofoam. The material is constructed from a micro-lattice of nickel phosphorous tubes that is 99.9% air. The tubes are hollow and have walls 1,000 times thinner than a human hair, yet they have the strength of metal with the added benefit of being ultra resistant to strain. Researchers believe this new material could be used to make lightweight batteries that could eventually bring down the weight of green vehicles and increase their efficiency while using less material in the process.

“Modern buildings, exemplified by the Eiffel Tower or the Golden Gate Bridge, are incredibly light and weight-efficient by virtue of their architecture,” said William Carter, manager of the architected materials group at HRL. “We are revolutionizing lightweight materials by bringing this concept to the nano and micro scales.” The structure of the new micro-lattice metal isn’t visually that far off from the latticed structure of the Eiffel Tower.

The new metal’s lattice work does more than make it lightweight, it allows the material to be extremely resiliant. In studies it has shown to completely recover from compression exceeding 50 percent strain and bounces right back after absorbing a high amount of energy. “Materials actually get stronger as the dimensions are reduced to the nanoscale,” noted the principle investigator on this project, UCI mechanical and aerospace engineer Lorenzo Valdevit. “Combine this with the possibility of tailoring the architecture of the micro-lattice and you have a unique cellular material.” If a large-scale production method was developed for this material we’ve no doubt it would revolutionize the efficiency of all kinds of energy intensive machines — most notably cars — and could reduce material needs worldwide.

via[inhabitat]

LEGO recycling containers

2011-11-28T19:30:00.001-08:00

'leco' recycling containers by flussocreative

created by italian design studio flussocreative 'leco' is a system of recycling and storage containers,
utilizing the look and practical design of LEGO building blocks.

the collection currently includes four polymer boxes: two smaller models in blue and green
(for aluminum and glass recycling respectively) and two larger size containers in white and yellow
(for paper and plastic). while these modules are designed specifically for the divisions
and colour coding of the italian recycling system, 'leco' can be easily modified for other recycling
programs, or used for other kinds of storage.

the LEGO-like form of each piece enables the modules to be stacked stably in a range of configurations,
since each box pulls open from the front and not the top as in many existing recycling containers.

full view of a set of containers

'leco' in use

since the door opens from the front not the top, the containers can double as seating or table surfaces

the LEGO-like structure provides for easy and stable stacking

'[the project results from] the desire to create, even if for a delicate issue such as environmental conservation;
and the opportunity to interact with the containers in a nice way, overcoming aesthetic and formal obstacles.
the result of that vision has led us to create a collector who had the power to attract people, not only because of its use,
but also for its space-saving ability and the way it encourages the daily practice of collection and separation.'
-flussocreative

concept sketch

rendering of the project

wooden prototypes

designboom has received this project from our 'DIY submissions' feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.

via[designboom]

PRODUCTIVITY OR DEATH

2011-11-26T21:33:00.001-08:00

The Laptop Steering Wheel Desk by Mobile Office Inc. Increase your productivity by working on your commute! Find out HERE.

Lightin

2011-11-24T12:07:00.001-08:00

Young British Designer Thomas Stanley has come up with the ultimate upcycled dorm room accessory: "Lightin," a beer can reimagined as a desk lamp that casts a warm, intoxicating glow from its underside.

Ok, so there's a little more to it than that:

"Lightin" is an eco-friendly desk lamp, which houses a bulb capable of lasting 50,000 hours or the equivalent of 20+ halogen bulbs. It is made largely from recycled/re-used materials, a re-used aluminium drinks tin being the focal point and the housing for an LED spotlight bulb, which if left on permanently would last an incredible 5.7 years. Extra emphasis is given to the drinks tin with a subtle, elegant wire bent frame supporting it.

It's not a revolutionary design—though I appreciate Stanley's überminimal approach—and it's not going to save the world, but it's Friday and I think we could all stand to get our hands on a nice, refreshing... lamp.

via[core77]

Quantum Levitation

2011-11-22T18:29:00.001-08:00

Wow!

Metal Spining

2011-11-22T18:25:00.000-08:00

A pretty cool way to shape metal. Found it from youtube. Have fun!

The Evolution of Apple Ads

2011-11-22T18:01:00.001-08:00

Apple first started advertising its products in the late 1970s.

The 80s showed a wide variety of ads, some of which served to convince consumers that they

should purchase a computer, and specifically an Apple.

These ads were text-heavy and light on images, as were many computer and technology ads from that era.

Apple ads really came into their heyday during the 1990s, with the “Think Different” campaign, which became very popular as they featured a number of famous people.

Here’s a stunning compilation of some of Apple’s most notable advertisements from the 70s until the present day, including a few videos ads.

With the launch of the iMac in the late 90s, Apple ads became much more artistic and, for the most part, focused much more on showcasing the product and used very little textcompared with earlier ads.

It’s also worth noting how the ads changed as the hardware changed. For more on the evolution of Apple’s hardware, see The Evolution of Apple Design between 1977-2008which takes a look at the changes from a hardware perspective.

Most recently, Apple has focused on television advertising, most notably with its Mac vs. PC ads. The company had done TV ads prior to that (starting with the ad based on George Orwell’s “1984″ during the 1984 Super Bowl), but mostly in conjunction with print campaigns.

Current Apple ads seem to follow two veins: advertisements for their computers generally have a white background and put the emphasis on the product being advertised; ads for the iPod line generally have bright backgrounds with silhouetted figures. Most of Apple’s current advertising seems to be on TV these days. You can watch most of the recent ads on the Apple website.

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000-Present

Compiled exclusively for WDD by Cameron Chapman.

Livingstones

2011-11-22T09:13:00.001-08:00

A high quality surrealistic set, practical as a floor cushion.Oversized pebbles, a resting area with varying sizes and shapes that can be arranged according to your mood, for contemporary interiors.Pebbles as a fanciful landscape for ideal and permanent holidays, which can be transformed into an enjoyable domestic game.

via[smarin.net]

Stuck with colouring your design?

2011-11-21T19:50:00.001-08:00

ColorSchemer is the solution!

The sample color schemes are just a start from color schemer. They also have color scheme sampler widget for the mac and also a downloadable piece of software that allows you to study color relationships.

Try this out! colorschemer.com

Charging POD

2011-11-21T13:36:00.001-08:00

What a simple little design piece and more useful than I can imagine. First of all the form which they created works well to hold the things items while also using lightweight materials to provide the structure.

Oh, yeah the cords now would be well out of my dogs reach.

Is it money that motivates us? Not really!

2011-11-20T18:20:00.001-08:00

Besides Industrial Design specifically, I tend to get involved and have a passion for issues on operation,process improvement, and workplace environmental impact. As designers it is our job to always find the faults in what exists so we can find a better way to create or do something.

I love some of the points that this video brings up about the change in the workplace and how companies like Google are redefining effective ways to motivate their employees.

This very well done ten minute video by Daniel Pink cites 50 years behavioral science research demonstrating that monetary compensation can only get limited results out of people. What really motivates is mastery of skill and the creation of a “larger” purpose that extends past 40 hours of week at work.

An amazingly simple and entertaining illustration accompanies.

Via [core77]

Oldschool Industrial Design Video

2011-11-20T17:58:00.001-08:00

Stamped steel flat pack chair

2011-11-20T17:49:00.001-08:00

This stamped chair can be shipped flat then folded once received. Very efficient design utilizing the structural forming as a design detail!

via[dornob.com]

Databot Mouse

2011-11-20T17:45:00.001-08:00

This mouse makes virtual system more realistic.. Really interesting. So check it out!

The Innovators

2011-11-20T17:22:00.001-08:00

The Innovators from SPARKHOUSE on Vimeo.

Tenting Kayak Concept

2011-11-20T15:58:00.001-08:00

All I can say is that Tom Hanks’ character in Castaway would be losing sleep if he saw this concept. This Kayak concept designed by Marioi Weiss may open some eyes to those camping junkies out there.

This open top outrigger kayak converts into a tent which features some clever designs. It features a drive pedal designed by Hobie Kayaks and an ordinary paddle for miscellaneous maneuvering. Also, the seat is detachable which is great for relaxing in the roomy interior. The camp bed is is made of a screen cloth which lays between the bars of the outrigger.

I think this is a great idea. I can see this being used for both overnight camping trips for day trips. It seems very easy to use, and looks like it can handle anything from a daytime sprinkle to an overnight camping trip.

This is a James Dyson Award Entry, You can vote for it here.

via [yankodesign]

mAIRine, the safety wetsuit top

2011-11-20T11:09:00.001-08:00

The mAIRine is a wetsuit top that provides two key safety features. The first feature is an automatic inflation bladder which uses a manual spring loaded timer that can tell when someone is under water for an extended amount of time. This is important if a surfer were to become unconscious during a big spill. The second safety feature is a small air conister on the back which is connected to a mouthpiece located on the wrist. If the loss of oxygen occurs, air can be accessed for a generous amount of time.

I love this idea! Throughout all sports, safety technology has been increasingly getting stronger. However, none of this technology has been tapped into by the surfing community. Surfing can be very dangerous, and this simple wetsuit vest could save thousands. I think this is a brilliant idea and I wouldn’t be surprised if you see this design take off. Imagine the waves people would be willing to surf if they knew they had the safety equipment necessary.

via [conbug.com]

GM And Segway unviel electric two-seater called Puma

2011-11-20T11:03:00.001-08:00

Segway has developed variations of thier two-wheeled personal vehicle, but recently, with the help of GM, Segway has unvieled an electric-powered two seater called the Puma. It can reach a top speed of 35 mph, and can travel 35 miles before needing a recharge.

Larry Burns, vice president of research and development for GM, said it would cost about 35 cents to charge the Puma’s lithium ion battery system — essentially a larger version of the power system for the Segway Personal Transporter.The Puma balances on two large wheels while driving. For safety, it employs two sets of wheels in the front and back — similar to drag-racing vehicles — to prevent it from tipping over. When it parks, it rests on the front set of wheels.

This is definitely something that would be used in urban areas. What better then to have an eco-friendly vehicle that can fit tightly in parking spaces.

via [metaefficient]

SixthSense turns any surface into an interface

2011-11-19T22:14:00.001-08:00

I’m speechless; this new prototype by MIT is nothing short or astonishing. This wearable device let’s you physically interact on any surface that’s in front of you. The “Sixth Sense” system from Patti Maes’ Fluid Interfaces Group at the MIT Media Lab opens the doors to touch interfaces. With the Sixth Sense, you can watch a video over a newspaper, navigate through images on a wall, or view a map on a countertop. MIT’s new prototype can also recognize certain hand gestures. For example, if you were to make a picture gesture with your fingers, a picture would be taken.

The SixthSense prototype implements several applications that demonstrate the usefulness, viability and flexibility of the system. The map application lets the user navigate a map displayed on a nearby surface using hand gestures, similar to gestures supported by Multi-Touch based systems, letting the user zoom in, zoom out or pan using intuitive hand movements. The drawing application lets the user draw on any surface by tracking the fingertip movements of the user’s index finger. SixthSense also recognizes user’s freehand gestures (postures). For example, the SixthSense system implements a gestural camera that takes photos of the scene the user is looking at by detecting the ‘framing’ gesture. The user can stop by any surface or wall and flick through the photos he/she has taken. SixthSense also lets the user draw icons or symbols in the air using the movement of the index finger and recognizes those symbols as interaction instructions. For example, drawing a magnifying glass symbol takes the user to the map application or drawing an ‘@’ symbol lets the user check his mail. The SixthSense system also augments physical objects the user is interacting with by projecting more information about these objects projected on them. For example, a newspaper can show live video news or dynamic information can be provided on a regular piece of paper. The gesture of drawing a circle on the user’s wrist projects an analog watch.

The current prototype system costs approximate $350 to build.

via [sixthsense]

RepairWare: Home Products Redesigned to be Easily Fixed

2011-11-19T21:48:00.001-08:00

As an economic theorist once pointed out to illustrate an idea: there is not one person on this planet who can make a pencil. Likewise, who among us is qualified to fix even the most generic of everyday objects? Some, sure, but certainly not all – which is where RepairWare comes in.

This steam iron is part of a larger idea by Samuel Davies: to make it easy (or at least possible) for ordinary people to repair their own domestic products … without highly-specialized knowledge, complex replacement parts or other supply-chain-reliant materials and methods.

Larger-than-usual screws make it obvious how to disassemble the unit (and require no task-specific tools). Traditional (and relatively interchangeable) components make it possible to create spare parts if absolutely necessary. This is not to say someone could rebuild it from scratch, but putting it back together and swapping out certain likely-to-break pieces goes a long way toward product longevity.

Some items still function this way – certain simple tools, guns and other machines – but many daily-use designs have evolved well past the point where someone could pick it up and intuit how to make it work again once broken. As a by-product of the core idea, this conceptual series also reconnects individuals to the generic items of mass production often taken for granted. A closer connection between human and machine is rekindled.

via[DorNob.com]

Saving Space: Frugal, Green & Waste-Free Toothpaste Tube

2011-11-19T14:03:00.001-08:00

Solving the toothpaste container leftovers issue is almost a cliche in design circles, but all that effort was also bound to pay off with something truly unique and ingenious like this solution.

SavePaste by Sang Min Yu & Wong Sang Lee tackles two packaging issues in one bold stroke, eliminating the box that toothpastes are normally shipped and sold in while also helping you squeeze the last little bit of paste from the tubes.

A series of folds enables a simpler squeezing process than the typical rolling technique (which always comes unrolled anyway), and allows for more tightly-packed configurations for shipping and handling purposes (fitting the same volume of paste into much smaller spaces). At the end of its life cycle, the box/tube can be packed flat for easy recycling as well.

via[dornob.com]

SCARAB

2011-11-19T10:21:00.001-08:00

Urban mobility vehicle (project initiated in 2008)

Winner of the Michelin Challenge Design 2010.
The aim of this project was to develop guidelines and a holistic solution for a new system of urban transport, composed of vehicle and infrastructure, in a sustainable way and adaptable to various urban environments.
Via [industrialdesignserved.com]

Twistable Aluminum Can, Great Way to Reduce Grabage Size

2011-11-18T19:35:00.001-08:00

The twistable aluminum can called “NNew Can” is designed for easy compression, making it simple to reduce trash size. If this concept were to be used, it would leave room for 3x the amount of cans a normal size can would. The new design also features a simple new tab for easy opening (not quite sure why this hasn’t been done yet Pepsi!) Not only would this be incredibly convenient for the consumer, it would also lend a helping hand to recycling.

It looks like this concept does need som work, and it would be interesting to know what type of material it’s made out of. However, if this can gets picked up by any of the big beverage companies, this could certainly change how cans are produced.

Designers: Jiwoon Park & Kwenyoung Choi

via [yankodesign]

DEWS

2011-11-18T11:13:00.001-08:00

DEWS is an upstanding toothbrush that incorporates a weight within its rounded handle base to keep the bristles away from dirty surfaces. DEWS does away with concerns about whether your toothbrush is resting on an unhygienic surface. This upstanding toothbrush makes use of a weight at the end of its rounded handle to create a centre of gravity at the handle base. When the toothbrush is set down, it will sway momentarily until it reaches a position of balance ? much like a tumble doll. DEWS has been designed with ergonomic considerations, and its weight allows for comfortable brushing.
via (industrialdesignserved.com)

New Water Bottle That Could Effect Millions

2011-11-18T09:29:00.001-08:00

Recently a UK design student won the James Dyson Award by creating a working prototype of a water bottle that can filter out 99.9% of bacteria leaving the water sterilized in just a couple minutes. I wrote an article about a year ago on the LifeStraw which served the same purpose, however, the “Pure” water bottle design works
much different.

Using a unique technology the water bottle uses a wind-up ultra violet bulb to steralize that water that is collected. The water then passes through a series of filters until it’s bacteria and virus free.

This water bottle could potentially save millions of lives in third world countries who can’t access fresh drinking water. It’ll be interesting to see how this is mass produced and where it’ll be most used.

I welcome you to start a discussion below on your thoughts and reactions to this new unique water bottle. Do you think this could ultimately save thousands of lives?

via [thedesignblog]