Really interesting concepts and products frequently come across my desk and the latest two could not be more different. One is a Jersey barrier equipped with a turbine and generator set to capture the wind off passing automobiles while the other is a clever vinyl pad called Softswipe for cleaning golf shoes while on board a golf cart.
The "New Jersey Barrier" as Metropolis magazine calls it is the invention of architect Mark Oberholzer. He was the runner-up in a Metropolis design contest and I thought the concept was worth exploring. However the 15 comments he recieved are pretty skeptical for reasons ranging from the subversion of the Jersey's barriers role as a safety fence to the complaint that the origin of this `renewable' source is still gasoline.
Softswipe from Teknor Apex of Pawtucket, R.I., is a much simpler and from the looks of it, a proven concept (see photos below). It's a vinyl disk seven inches in diameter with molded-in rods to scrape off mud, dirt, grass or whatever is fouling your golf spikes. Teknor Apex claims the Flexalloy elastomer makes the disk super tough.
Softswipe from Teknor Apex of Pawtucket, R.I., is a a clever vinyl pad for cleaning golf shoes.
Safety networks have become more complex, and have actually become simpler and easier to deploy for plant operators. This slideshow highlights developments in plant safety with an emphasis on integrated safety networks.
As the MEMS industry spans a myriad of industries and markets, the future of MEMS in consumer electronics will enable a myriad of functionality, applications, and personalization.
The Nest is a sleek-looking digital thermostat which can actually "learn" its owners' schedule and then continue to regulate temperature to suit the user's preferences and patterns.
Thanks to embedded electronics, medical devices are getting smaller and smarter than ever. Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators are now able to call physicians. MRIs, CT scanners, and ultrasound machines are gaining mobility. And the venerable Band-Aid may soon be able to detect illnesses ranging from fevers to heart arrhythmias. On February 21, join Design News senior editor Charles Murray for a wide-ranging discussion, "Embedded Angles for Medical Products," which will explore the latest developments in medical electronics. The discussion will examine advances in medical device technology and offer an inside look at the embedded electronics behind it.
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