Sandcasting

Source:http://www.efunda.com/processes/metal_processing/sand_casting_intro.cfm

Sandcasting is a form of casting in which a molten metal is poured into a cast made from natural or synthetic sand.

http://dtzone.com/resmat/m_ind_sand_casting_step_by_step.htm

Shape Memory Alloys

A shape-memory alloy (SMA, smart metal, memory metal, memory alloy, muscle wire, smart alloy) is an alloy that "remembers" its original, cold-forged shape: returning the pre-deformed shape by heating. This material is a lightweight, solid-state alternative to conventional actuators such as hydraulic, pneumatic, and motor-based systems. Shape-memory alloys have applications in industries including medical and aerospace.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shape-memory_alloy

Basically, if you heat an SMA above its transition temperature, it will form into a certain shape. This has to be 'trained' so that it can remember the shape. After it cools it will return back to its original shape.

Self Healing Materials

Self Healing Materials are materials that have the build in capabillity to repair (early stage) damage, that would finally lead to material failure, autonomously, or with minor external stimulus. Evidently nature is a major source of inpiration for his type of research: living organisms already possess the property of autonomous repair of damage (wound healing, recovery of broken limbs).
Source: http://www.selfhealingmaterials.nl/index_eng.htm

Completely automatic means of Self Healing can be achieved by placing microcapsules within an epoxy system. If a crack occurs, the capsules (filled with a monomer) burst and the contents will fill the crack. This will cause the monomer to polymerise, creating polymers chains to heal the crack.
Sounds complicated, but it works and could be used on a large variety of products.

Piezoelectric Materials

Piezoelectric materials converts mechanical stress/movement into an electrical current. There are a lot of applications for this technology, which I will be exploring in my sketchbook.
Source:http://www.buypiezo.com/piezo-eco-nightclub-in-britain/

Flexible LCD Screens

Flexible LCD screens have a lot of potential for a large variety of products. The screens use  plastic films rather than a glass base, so it can be bent. However, the positioning of the layers is difficult, the screens are made up of multiple colour filtering layers. The production method is said to use fewer processes, so the construction would be easier for manufacturers. The technology is still very new, and a few more years of testing are required to ensure the display quality does not deteriorate over time.

Office in a box

This design is brilliant at saving space and providing a room will multiple uses. All the furniture needed for an office fold out of the wall unit, and includes drawers, a desk, a chair built into the unit and various shaped cupboards.
Source:http://dornob.com/office-in-a-box-wall-furniture-unit-desk-shelves-system/

Space Saving Shelving

This design makes maximum use of the vertical space available in a room, by combining the functions of stairs and drawers it provides access to higher storage space.
Source:http://dornob.com/space-saving-staircase-shelves-for-floor-to-ceiling-storage/

Transforming Wheelchair

Source: http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/the-odd-transformer-that-transforms-from-bed-to-wheelchair/

Sofa Bed

Okay, so this isn't really an idea, more of an expansion. Just playing on the idea of the sofa/tv design from a few posts ago. Gonna use this as the basic idea for one of my own designs. As the theme for my project is 'Transformation' the idea of the product changing from a sofa into a bed and back again transforms the space from social to living.

Ideas

If anyone has any ideas they wanna share, hit me up at strankydesign@hotmail.co.uk so we can chat :P

Copyrights shizzle

BY THE WAY, none of the things I post on this blog are mine unless I specifically say so in the post, just to let you all know :) I'm not stealing anything I'm just using this as a place to document all my inspiration :) in a bit..

Flatpacked Room

This is an interesting concept for a room, and I love how you can see the outline of the furniture when it is all packed up. It would be interesting to apply this to a whole bedroom.
Source: http://www.designer-daily.com/get-your-own-transforming-furniture-set-485

Another Split Level Bedroom

I like the way this design makes maximum use of the vertical space by having the working area above the beds. Although the use of the space the beds pull out into is limited, being able to move the beds in and out can create a larger free space to make the room feel less cluttered.
Source:http://homeinharmonia.com/bedroom/awesome-bedroom-with-colorful-bed-design.html

Garage Door

This would be an interesting way of incorporating transformation to my room, the principle could be applied at a smaller scale to a wardrobe. Usually a wardrobes doors prevent use of the space in front of them, but using this design the space directly in front would not be wasted.
Source: http://www.door-manufacturers.com/automatic-sliding-door.html

Split Level Bedroom

I love the idea of a split level room, it adds a whole new dimension and creates a great focal point, as well as making best use of the vertical space. I'm going to look into some human ergonomics books to try and get an idea of whether a split level design is plausible for the room i'm redesigning for my university project.
Source: http://homeinharmonia.com/bedroom/awesome-bedroom-with-colorful-bed-design.html

Empire Cycles

These are some unique bikes, in that the frames have been sandcasted from aerospace grade aluminium, rather than the conventional welding tubing technique. I'm currently researching further into the abilities of sandcasting and the possibilities that can arise from this process.
Source: http://www.empire-cycles.com/

TV Sofa

This could be easily adapted into a bed with a tv/entertainment system etc. It could also be made to change from a sofa into a bed, using a motorised system similar to hospital beds.

Source: http://weburbanist.com/2008/07/26/clever-living-room-furniture-couches-sofascoffee-tables/?ref=search

Car Desks

I love these desks because they have so much character, being made from actual car parts. I don't know if these cars were recycled into desks or purposefully made into them, but recycling obscure objects and finding a functional application for them in a room can be a good way of adding a bit of excitement and originality.

Source: http://www.thrillist.com/links/94085

Folding Beds

I love this design, as the bed is the largest piece of furniture in my room, so being able to fold it into the wardrobe like this would be a very efficient way of saving floor space when the bed is not in use.

Source: http://www.interiordesignpro.org/news/beryn-hammil-beryn-hammil-designs-san-francisco-california/resources-we-love-the-murphy-bed

Transforming Furniture into Furniture

This piece is a great way of recycling old furniture, 'transforming' it into new furniture.
Source: http://greencoloredglasses.ca/transforming-furniture-into-furniture/

Hanging wall piece to chair

Source: http://weburbanist.com/2008/02/24/10-more-pieces-of-clever-transforming-furniture-from-tetris-tables-to-rooms-in-a-box/

Sofa-bunkbed

The theme for my current project is Transformation, and I have to redesign my bedroom with this theme in mind, therefore this product would be a great way of incorporating Transformation into my design. It would allow me to change the use of space from relaxation/sleeping to socialising.
Source: http://www.geekologie.com/2009/11/pillow_fight_couch_transforms.php

Cardboard Laptop Stand

This is great, its a cheap and easy alternative to splashing out on a laptop stand. This design could be applied to plywood or brushed aluminium to make a slightly more visually appealing piece. This original, however, is functionally perfect, and has endless possibilities for an enhanced aesthetic quality.
Source: http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/how-to-make-a-diy-cardboard-laptop-stand-184047

Bulldog Clip Cable Tidy

This is a really great, simple way of making cables instantly accessible on the desk top. Its cheap and is a good way of keeping the cables tidy when they're not plugged into the laptop or another technological appliance.
Source: http://moosedef.blogspot.com/2010/05/sorry.html