Innovative New Products

Innovation is one of the key factors of success in our fast-paced society. Here are a few of the latest innovations being introduced to the design industry:

Interior Materials

·         Ultra High-Strength Concrete

-          Concrete can have a pretty complicated mathematical process in order for it to be made into a material that is able to be constructed into a solid object which is exactly what concrete has been used for so far; solid objects such as walls.

-          Now that the particle density can be set for the specific application, it can be modeled into other objects. I know this is a little scientific so let’s break it down.

-          Less or more water and additives can be put into the concrete mix depending on its future use. Since the use of these very expensive additives is completely unnecessary in most applications, the cost of the material is reduced by up to 35 percent

-          This concrete also has the potential to greatly reduce CO2 emissions.

-          One great example of a future use of concrete is a lamp.

·         Sea Balls

-          Commonly referred to as Neptune Balls

-          These balls made of seaweed fibers are used without additives as an insulating material with fire preventing properties.

-          Brown in color, and can be found washed up on beaches

-          It contains very little salts and no protein which means it will not rot and it is not harmful to the human body.

-          Highly suitable for building insulation due to its low thermal conductivity.

·         Coconut Wood Composites

-          Wood derived from coconut palm plantations

-          This helps to avoid using valuable tropical woods from rain forests etc.

-          Can be used in the furniture industry and as flooring

-          Instead of rings like most other woods, this wood is characterized by its spotted structure referred to as Cocodots.

-          This wood is much harder on the edge of the trunk which is the part that is primarily used for material production.

-          Coconut wood composites are made up of a thick MDF core to which coconut wood is applied.

·         VarioLine

-          It is an alternative material to plywood, MDF, and other structural construction panels. It is a colored alternative that can withstand time and whatever else nature and humans can throw at it. (Dent, 2010)

-          A versatile, integrally foamed, thermoplastic, lightweight element with a very good ratio between weight, mechanics, and costs. (Dent, 2010)

-          Characteristics include: lightweight, durable, abrasion-proof, chemically resistant, low maintenance, recyclable, and high performance in extreme weather conditions.

-          Complies with the B2 fire rating and other fire ratings with the appropriate additives.

-          It can be nailed, screwed, milled, sawed, riveted, and welded

According to the Industrial Technologies Arm of the Research and Innovation department of the European Commission, it is estimated that 70% of all new product innovation is based on materials with new or improved properties. ("10 innovative materials," 2012)

Lighting

·         Transparent LED Signboard

-          Transparent flexible polymer sheet that incorporates working LED lights

-          The polymer film is coated with a transparent, thin layer of carbon nanotubes in a specific configuration to act at ‘wires’ to connect the LED lights. This type of conductive film is an alternative to ITO coatings used in other transparent LED films. (Dent, 2010)

-          This is a more efficient and lower cost process as compared to other similar films produced.

-          The client is able to specify the design of the film and the LED pattern displayed. (Dent, 2010)

-          The films can currently be used in signage and POP Displays

-          Transparency continues to be a popular inspirational property

·         Lighting System Concept

-          This concept is a flexible, modular atmosphere and stylish design to give commercial interiors a unique look. ("The stylish and," 2010)

-          The concept is made of dual layer white polycarbonate slanted sheets with an appearance like conventional boat sails. ("The stylish and," 2010)

-          Between the two layers, lights are inserted and attached to the inside layer while the upper layer is incised with stripes in which the lights glow in a unique, aesthetically pleasing manner.

-          The lights can be different colors such as green, cyan or magenta

-          Each unit contains a metal tube base making it easy to fix to a wall or ceiling and allows for rotation for multi-directional lightings.

·         Verve

The Verve Lighting System is a product that can be used in many different environments such as hospitals, residences, schools, etc. It is a product that, not only makes it more convenient when light is needed in a space, but also reduces the amount of energy used. The addition of wireless controls and the flexibility of products allow you to mix and match to maximize comfort and control in any space. ("What is verve?," 2012)

There are many different products associated with the Verve system but I will list the abilities of all of them combined instead of those relating to each one individually.

-          Dimmers. This is one lighting controlling you would not want to pass up. It would be a very nice feature when you are trying to set a mood.

-           Temperature Adjustments. There are single switches to adjust the temperature in the space. One option you have with this control is to set your air conditioning to eco-mode or even switch off certain power outlets running to devices that drain more energy than others such as TVs or gaming systems.

-          Occupancy Sensors. This system automatically switches off lights and adjusts the temperature in a room if it is unoccupied for a certain amount of time.

-          Energy Savings. All three of the features I just listed, dimmers, temperature controls and occupancy sensors

-          Light Paths. These can be created by programming lights along a path to come on at the same time with the click of a switch. For example, at night when you want to walk from your master bedroom to your child’s bedroom, if a light path has been created, all you have to do is click a switch and only those lights will come on. Another great example is if you program a path from your garage or carport to the front door of your house.

I personally think this is a great feature due to my clumsiness and high probability of tripping over anything, including my own feet.

-          Easily movable. The location of these systems can be easily changed without having to rewire or damage any walls. They can be placed anywhere including a wall, your bedside table, the car, etc. 

Anywhere you NEED it to be, that is where is CAN be. 

Health Care Furniture

·         Pediatric Ward Furniture

-          Ave Birthing Bed

o   Function and design work in harmony to provide mothers comfort during the birthing process and assist health care professionals. ("Newstyle: healthcare furniture," 2012)

-          Duo Baby Cradles

o   This cradle allows mothers to sit up comfortably in bed after giving birth and have their newborn child brought right up to them while still in the cradle.

o   Many times this is ideal for mothers to still be able to see and be close to their child even if they must stay in the cradle due to a health risk. 

-          Breast Feeding Chair

o   This chair has a particular shape offering good, well-needed support for the new mother while breast feeding and avoids pressure and pains to the sore or recovering parts of the body. ("Newstyle: healthcare furniture," 2012)

Smart Home Technology and Security Systems

·         SSAIB- Intruder Alarm system

       With this system installed, instead of having to hurry up, drop your groceries and run to punch your alarm code into the system so it will not call the police to your house, you can simply carry a tag on you. This tag can be attached to your key chain with your car keys, etc. and can be easily placed up against the alarm system without having your eggs cracked after dropping your groceries. 

·         Glass Break Detector

         The Bravo 5GB is a motion and glass break detector all in one. It provides reliable protection for both residential and commercial spaces. Along with motion detection, a glass break sensor is also integrated into it, designed to detect the sounds produced by the shattering of framed glass. The glass break detection scheme used on Bravo 5GB is the extent of an extensive research program designed to study the properties of glass as well as the properties of sound produced by the shattering of framed glass. ("Glass break detector," 2012)
      
       Features:
             -  360 Degree Coverage
             -  High Level Static and Transient Protection
             - Immunity motion Detection
             -  Multi-Level Signal Processing
             -  Temperature Compensation
             -  Fast/Slow Detection Jumper 
             -  LED On/Off Jumper
             -  Super Quiet Operation Glass Break Detection
             -  Dynamic Signal Processing-    
                        Determines the difference between glass breaking and  
                        common ringing or bell sounds 
            -  White Noise Rejection Mechanism
            -  Alarm Memory (Latching LED) for Glass Break Sensor   
  

Kitchen Appliances

·        Induction Cook Tops

Reasons for Using this Includes:

-          It can lower your electric bill because it uses magnetism to only heat the bottom of the pan

-          High level of temperature control

-          Speed of heating and cooling is increased

-          Wide selection of offerings, including 30" and 36" cook tops, slide-in and free-standing ranges

Follow this link to WATCH VIDEO:
http://www.subzero-wolf.com/oven/induction-cooktops

·        Full Surface Cook Top

Characteristics Include:

-          You can place pots and pans in any arrangement necessary

-          Allows up to four pieces of cookware on the cook top at one time

-         Has a color TFT touch screen indicating the size, shape and location of each piece of cookware

-       Unlike other cook tops with four inductors heating four different zones, this one has as many as 48 conductors providing a continuous cooking surface 

-        Power can be individually adjusted via the touch screen and if a pot is moved, the display automatically updates and the power levels are automatically transferred to the new position. (Quick, 2012)

-          Operating instructions in 15 different languages

             -          It is energy efficient because heat is only used where needed

·        Steam Cooking

       Steaming is one of the best cooking methods for maximizing taste and color, while retaining the most nutrients in vegetables and fish. Especially when the vegetables themselves have so many flavors, simply steaming them and finishing with fresh herbs, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil can produce a very satisfying and delicious dish. You can also Healthy Steam several vegetables or vegetables and fish in one pot for easier clean up. ("Healthy steaming cooking," 2012)

Since more and more people are turning towards a healthier lifestyle including the way they eat and exercise, steam cooking food will also become more and more popular.

It actually already has!

Now-a-days you hear people who want things to be simple but not plain and sometimes they think it takes more effort to cook a healthy meal. Well they are wrong! Steaming vegetables, fish, or whatever you choose cannot be more simple! Since the nutrients as well as the flavors are kept inside when steamed, you will have a tasty meal that many people thought would be bland because of its healthy quality.

Yum Yum Yum!!

·        Sub-Zero Refrigerator

Characteristics include:

-         Dual Compressor

o   It actually already has! Each of the refrigerator and freezer areas have their own dedicated, sealed system to keep food fresher for longer

TRUE STORY!!

Inside Outside Sells Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances. While working the other day, the owner of Inside Outside was telling me about a client she met with the night before who decided to put a Sub-Zero refrigerator in her kitchen. When the client went to go visit the Sub-Zero/Wolf showroom in Chicago  she said they had a demonstration of the product. The showroom left a tub of ice cream, without the lid on it, in the freezer part of the refrigerator with a label stating the date it was put in there. The date read six weeks prior to the day they were shown the demonstration and the ice cream was still fresh with no freezer burn.  

-          Crisper and Deli Drawers Form a Special Low-Temperature Zone

-          Max Ice Features Produce 40% Faster

-          Air Purification and Water Filtration Systems

-         Evenly Distributed Bright Interior Lighting

-         Built to last 20+ Years

-          2, 5, and 12 Year Residential Warranties Available

-         USES LESS ENERGY THAN A 100-WATT LIGHT BULB!!! That is Pretty amazing if you ask me

-         Superior Grade Components Used

-          Every Unit is Assembled in the U.S.A. and Rigorously Assessed Before It Leaves the Factory

-         It actually already has Intense Reliability Testing is Done on Every Product By Engineers

-          It actually already has Appliance Details Measured to 3/1000 of an Inch   

Compared to other Refrigerators who characteristics include:

-          One Compressor

o   This compressor is used to cool both areas making neither ideal for the food being kept in them

-          Extra Energy Used

o   More energy is consumed because each side is continuously working against each other to try and maintain a core temperature

-          Defrosting Needed More Frequently 

-          Undesirable Aromas and Flavors Transferred Around the One Air System

Bathroom Fixtures

·         Toto 1G Toilet

      The 1G seems to have all the characteristics a toilet should possess but at the best quality.

Those characteristics includes:

-          Double cyclone flushing system creating a powerful flush maximizing the cleaning action.

-          1.0 GPF

-          Two nozzles, as opposed to rim holes, that use water more efficiently, resulting in less trapped matter and bacteria, which reduces the amount of time spent cleaning the toilet.

-          Bowl and rim are coated in specific glaze sealing the porcelain with a barrier creating a very slippery, bacteria resistant surface

-          Fewer cleaning supplies needed, lowering the cost of maintenance and the amount of materials harming the environment.  

Works Cited:

10 innovative materials to look out for in 2012. (2012, February 03). Retrieved from

            http://freshome.com/2012/02/13/10-innovative-materials-to-look-out-for-in-2012/

Dent, A. H. (2010, May 03). Fabric of the future: innovative design materials to come. Retrieved

            from http://www.contractdesign.com/contract/design/features/Fabric-of-the-Future-

            1730.shtml
Glass break detector. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-273-bv500gb-
            dsc-ceiling-mount-infrared-wglass-break.aspx

Healthy steaming cooking method. (2012). Retrieved from

            http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=whfkitqa&dbid=53

Newstyle: healthcare furniture. (2012). Retrieved from   

            http://www.newstylehealthcareservices.co.uk/index.php?id=products§ion_id=8&category

            _id=33&product_id=169

The stylish and innovative lighting system offers stunning commercial interior. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.tuvie.com/the-stylish-and-innovative-lighting-system-offers-stunning-commercial-interior/

Quick, D. (2012, April 19). Around the Home, Retrieved from http://www.gizmag.com/siemens- 

            full-surface-induction-cooktop/22236/

What is verve?. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.vervelivingsystems.com/