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