The concept comprises a metal plate built with high conductive and heat resin metal where the essence cord should be placed and a low-voltage PTC thermistor has been used to make it more secured than other electric repellents. The termistor contains an over-current protection fuse that prevents fire way before it is probable to occur. Mint Mosquito Repellent offers the advantage of customizing the amount of aroma oil as the user’s desire. Moreover, you can use other natural substances such as Eucalyptus oil, glass oil and lavender oil. The MMR is completely safe to use with infants and children, and has no harmful chemical processes like other conventional repellents.

Designer : Mintpass

Designer : Purisme

Interview with Nico :

What was the inspiration for your concept?
The inspiration was the experimental approach to molecular cooking. Even after several decades of molecular cuisine, it still seems to be an exclusive game for specialists. So it became my main goal to bring some of the fantastic possibilities and ideas of molecular cooking to all ambitious cooks with an easy to use, affordable appliance.

How does your concept fit into this year’s competition theme “Designs for the next 90 years”?
I think the idea of molecular cooking is forward-looking, but the procedures and methods of preparing molecular dishes are still conventional. I would like to change this with my concept. At first, the idea of printing food seems to be something straight out of a science-fiction movie, but on second thought it is not unrealistic at all. I even think that Moléculaire could be the future kitchen tool that opens up possibilities for food-makers interested in molecular cooking.

What are the main consumer benefits of your concept?
Moléculaire is a futuristic kitchen appliance that offers several new possibilities to professional chefs as well as home users. It’s based on a layer-by-layer printing technique that arranges small particles from a set of ingredients. Within minutes, it prints out three-dimensional desserts, complex structures, shapes for molecular dishes, and patterns for decorating a meal. In addition, it’s easy to use. You simply insert a blister pack into the reservoir, place Moléculaire on top of a plate, and press the start button. Users can also create their own recipes with special software and their own ingredients. Ambitious users can download recipes and share them with other users in an online community.

Describe the consumer research behind your concept.
I conducted interviews with chefs and did a lot of research on the Internet. These approaches helped me to understand users’ interests, concerns, wishes, needs and desires. The outcome shaped my initial ideas and helped them grow. The most difficult thing about designing for the future is predicting the possible social and technological developments (their direction and speed). Therefore, it was very useful to read reports like sociological studies about cooking and future scenarios about the development of new technologies.

What kind of materials would you use to build your concept?
For my concept, I would use polycarbonate as the main material. I plan on applying this material in three different variations, each providing the right characteristics for the different parts of my design. Transparent polycarbonate can be used for the window, black tinted for the lid/display, and white for the body. The robotic printer arm and head could be made from aluminum. A blue (O)LED backlight accentuates the processes inside the printer.

Who is your favorite designer?
I don‘t have a favorite designer.

What are your career goals?
After I graduate in 2010, I want to gain more professional experience in a product-design company. In the long term, I want to further develop my conceptual and strategic skills and step into product-related design management.

Designer : Nico Kläber

Kenneth says :
Shake is a mp3 player that can be charged by shaking when the HOLD function is on. With HOLD off, the user shakes the player for PLAY/PAUSE. The action of shaking the player to play or charge it is similar to shaking a pocket watch to wind it. The similar semantics provide an interesting yet familiar experience of giving life to an electronic device.The form of Shake was developed based on the language of a pocket watch, not only through the operation of shaking but also visually. Using the form from an established typology, Shake provides a comforting familiarity in a sea of electronics with foreign shapes and forms.

The use of kinetic energy to charge the battery not only solves an environmental issue, but also a more personal one. In situations like a long commute home, the user can enjoy personal audio without worrying about the battery dying out.

An electromagnetic coil is connected to the battery, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy that charges the battery. The player connects to the computer via a USB cable through the headphone jack, facilitating the transfer of songs as well as the conventional method of charging.

Shake would utilize kinetic energy generation technology developed by start up company M2E Power. M2E’s micro-generator technology delivers 300% to 700% more power than existing kinetic energy solutions (according to the company’s website), harvesting sufficient energy from normal daily and mechanical motion to power a wide range of mobile electronic devices.

This technology allows Shake to charge even in the user’s pocket while he/her is walking around.

Designer : Kenneth Tay

The SkyHook JHL-40 aircraft will be capable of lifting a 40-ton sling load and transporting it up to 200 miles without refueling in harsh environments such as the Canadian Arctic and Alaska. Currently, conventional land and water transportation methods in these undeveloped regions are inadequate, unreliable and costly. With its lifting capacity and range, the SkyHook JHL-40 aircraft changes that for a variety of industries around the world.

“There is a definite need for this technology. The list of customers waiting for SkyHook’s services is extensive, and they enthusiastically support the development of the JHL-40,” said Pete Jess, SkyHook president and chief operating officer. “Companies have suggested this new technology will enable them to modify their current operational strategy and begin working much sooner on projects that were thought to be 15 to 20 years away. This Boeing-SkyHook technology represents an environmentally acceptable solution for these companies’ heavy-lift short-haul challenges, and it’s the only way many projects will be able to progress economically.”

Boeing is designing and will fabricate two production prototypes of the JHL-40 at its Rotorcraft Systems facility in Ridley Park, Pa. Skyhook will own, maintain, operate and service all JHL-40 aircraft for customers worldwide. The new aircraft will enter commercial service as soon as it is certified by Transport Canada and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

via Boeing

The water powered alarm clock is just one of the outstanding promotional logo products featured by Empire. The product is available in green and white, and Empire uses silkscreen as the standard imprint method.
Empire is a promotional products agency creating sales and marketing products for various known companies and non-profit organizations as well. Started in 1984, the Empire team was successful with their business and begun online in 1999. Since then, their clients have grown drastically. You can visit the Empire’s website and it talks for the company. You can browse from their various categories and I’m sure you can find one for your company. They have products categorized according to prices. If you are price conscious, you can try their items under $1.00. And, if you are ecologically aware, their EcoSmart promotional products that are made of recycled material, solar and water powered items is the answer. The Empire are also accepting rush order but for an additional charge.

Intuit features dual interactive interfaces to cater for different applications. The UI adjust itself depending on the usage mode-whether phone, camera or internet mode. The device is also energy efficient charging via solar power, ensuring it will never die out while in use.

Chemical based solar panel automatically charges phone when exposed to light. The panels are located on the front and rear of the device utilizing a spray on solar charging solution enabling the device to also be super slim.

Designer : Eddie Goh

The pipe construction allows an effective use of heat-producing value of a charcoal, distributing it homogeneously.
Double body with a thermal insulation is safe in use. The low temperature on the upper shell allows the use of non conventional materials for refinishing of a body, such as wood or leather.
A complicated form of a internal reservoir gives a unique method of water preparation, which is typical for samovars. Because of a natural convection, the liquid intensively circulates, mixes up and homogeneously and gradually warms up. The efficiency of a samovar is no less than 70%.

The high volume and the construction allow preserving the water warm for a long time and providing a possibility for a leisured conversation without a necessity to add water to the samovar.

Designer : ManWorksDesign