Log In   |  Register Free Newsletter Subscription
Skip navigation
Zibb
Subscribe to Design News
RSS
Email
Average Rating:
  • (0)
    Rate this:
  • NASA’s Design Contest

    November 15, 2007

    NASA along with Solidworks has presented the Create the Future Design Contest, a chance for designers, engineers and inventors to throw their ideas at a NASA coated wall and see what sticks.

     

    The inventions and ideas vary quite broadly, but the six main categories of design are:

    - Machinery, Equipment, Component Technology

    - Consumer Products

    - Medical

    - Safety and Security

    - Transportation, and

    - Sustainable Technologies

     

    The ideas are initially judged by viewers; the designs with the most clicks are then further judged by a panel

     

    One little nugget I found under the “Least Viewed Entries” navigation is the Perpetual Tap, which is used in sensor based faucets. Since these sensors require batteries that often drain and need to be replaced, the creator of the perpetual tap hypothesizes using a small propeller and dynamo to turn the water flowing to wash your hands, into electricity, thus charging the sensor battery.

     

    I guess sometimes we take certain aspects of energy production and consumption for granted but a small change in design like the perpetual tap could even potentially lead to other applications… like powering the bathroom night light.

     

    Unfortunately, if any of you interested in entering, you will have to wait till next year, deadlins closed in mid October. But you should get up there and search around and get some of these ideas the clicks they deserve. Also be sure to post in the comments on any particularly interesting ideas.

    Posted by Sean Snyder on November 15, 2007 | Comments (0)
    Average Rating:
  • (0)
    Rate this:
  • POST A COMMENT
    Display Name
    captcha

    Before submitting this form, please type the characters displayed above. Note the letters are case sensitive:

    Advertisement
    MechatronicsZone Promo
    Advertisement
    Texas Instruments Video Exclusives
    eNewsletters
    Gadget Freak
    Sherlock Ohms
    Made by Monkeys
    Design Tools
    Electronics/Test
    Sensors/LED
    Mechatronics
    Motion Control & Fluid Power
    Materials & Fastening
    Special Technology Reports
    International Engineering



    Please read our Privacy Policy

    About Design News   |   Advertise with Design News   |   Site Map   |   Contact Us   |   Subscription   |   Affiliate Links   |   RSS
    © 2010 Reed Business Information , a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
    Use of this Web site is subject to its Terms of Use |  Privacy Policy