The process of user-innovation: A case study on user innovation in a consumer goods setting

Manufacturers usually benefit by dividing their innovation processes into distinct phases in order to ensure that the development activities are performed efficiently in an appropriate sequence. Users usually do not apply such structured processes. They follow a more intuition-driven approach. In this paper we analyze the way users improve or develop novel products. The field of our research is a new and rapidly evolving consumer market, the sport of kite surfing. We identified a sequence that underlies the approaches of user inventors. This sequence consists of two major stages, (1) idea generation and (2) idea realization, each again subdivided. We propose that a manufacturer in the relevant product field can significantly profit from more closely observing such user activities: Better understanding of tacit needs which cannot be derived by applying classical market research methods. Learn about the adequacy of solutions from the user. This may guide their development activities and prevent development of inadequate solutions. Collect user ideas as well as corresponding solution knowledge at very low tariffs and increase reputation as a customer-close organization. --Produktinnovation,Produktentwicklung,Benutzer / Beteiligung

Co-designing a conceptual controlled environment agriculture (CEA) model inside an Australian maximum-security prison: A research framework

This research paper presents the framework for a research study that aims to define and evaluate the design requirements and the related feasibility of a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) system concept within a maximum-security prison in Australia. A co-design methodology will guide the study so that the views of a broad range of stakeholders can contribute to the conceptualization of a CEA farm system that is appropriately suited to correctional settings. The unique aspect of this research lies in the application of a bottom-up consultative process involving both prison administrators and inmates. Stakeholders will initially be asked to consider what CEA typology would be most suitable for a prison environment and then use this as a basis for developing a more extensive system design. As open-field agriculture represents a lower-cost alternative to CEA, this will also be considered to complement CEA. The co-design sessions will run in tandem with current growth trials of lettuce within the prison environment using different growing environments. The research is aimed at assisting to reduce the impacts of climate change, by growing produce locally. Growing produce within the prison walls reduces food miles and improves the nutritional quality of produce, which benefits longer-term inmate health. Growth trials that complement the co-design study are aimed at evaluating the ease of use for each of type growing environment. This research contributes significant new knowledge for the application of co-design in prisons, aimed at developing implementation guidelines for a CEA ecosystem that would supply fresh vegetables to pre-cooked inmate meals. The researcher has a unique perspective as an inmate. Outside community groups wishing to try CEA may also benefit from this study

IOT INTEGRATED SMART STREET FURNITURE: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY, INDUSTRY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION

This article discusses the design process and pilot program of a suite of IoT-integrated street furniture aimed to improve use and amenity of municipality assets in public open spaces in Sydney, Australia. Networked sensors were embedded in the furniture and linked to a web-based dashboard application enabling a digital twin of the asset to monitor and analyze how and when the furniture was used. The prototype and modifications to existing furniture designs provided additional utility for the local community through lighting, free wi-fi access, power outlets, USB charging, water, a weather station and bench space. Outcomes of the street-furniture installation revealed innovative protocols for design-development teams and asset managers to review product performance and efficiency. This article presents a collaborative government/industry/university project that has been recognized by The World Bank for intelligent neighborhood design practices and by the Planning Institute of Australia for its novel approach to community social infrastructure

Deposition of Sodium Metal at the Copper‐NaSICON Interface for Reservoir‐Free Solid‐State Sodium Batteries

“Anode-free” solid-state battery concepts are explored extensively as they promise a higher energy density with less material consumption and simple anode processing. Here, the homogeneous and uniform electrochemical deposition of alkali metal at the interface between current collector and solid electrolyte plays the central role to form a metal anode within the first cycle. While the cathodic deposition of lithium has been studied intensively, knowledge on sodium deposition is scarce. In this work, dense and uniform sodium layers of several microns thickness are deposited at the Cu|Na$_{3.4}$Zr$_2$Si$_{2.4}$P$_{0.6}$O$_{12}$ interface with high reproducibility. At current densities of ≈1 mA∙cm$^{−2}$, relatively uniform coverage is achieved underneath the current collector, as shown by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and 3D confocal microscopy. In contrast, only slight variations of the coverage are observed at different stack pressures. Early stages of the sodium metal growth are analyzed by in situ transmission electron microscopy revealing oriented growth of sodium. The results demonstrate that reservoir-free (“anode-free”) sodium-based batteries are feasible and may stimulate further research efforts in sodium-based solid-state batteries

Kinetics and Pore Formation of the Sodium Metal Anode on NASICON‐Type Na3.4_{3.4} Zr2_2Si2.4_{2.4}P0.6_{0.6}O12_{12} for Sodium Solid‐State Batteries

In recent years, many efforts have been made to introduce reversible alkali metal anodes using solid electrolytes in order to increase the energy density of next-generation batteries. In this respect, Na$_{3.4}$Zr$_2$Si$_{2.4}$P$_{0.6}$O$_{12}$ is a promising solid electrolyte for solid-state sodium batteries, due to its high ionic conductivity and apparent stability versus sodium metal. The formation of a kinetically stable interphase in contact with sodium metal is revealed by time-resolved impedance analysis, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Based on pressure- and temperature-dependent impedance analyses, it is concluded that the Na|Na$_{3.4}$Zr$_2$Si$_{2.4}$P$_{0.6}$O$_{12}$ interface kinetics is dominated by current constriction rather than by charge transfer. Cross-sections of the interface after anodic dissolution at various mechanical loads visualize the formed pore structure due to the accumulation of vacancies near the interface. The temporal evolution of the pore morphology after anodic dissolution is monitored by time-resolved impedance analysis. Equilibration of the interface is observed even under extremely low external mechanical load, which is attributed to fast vacancy diffusion in sodium metal, while equilibration is faster and mainly caused by creep at increased external load. The presented information provides useful insights into a more profound evaluation of the sodium metal anode in solid-state batteries

Living Long and Well: Prospects for a Personalized Approach to the Medicine of Ageing.

Research into ageing and its underlying molecular basis enables us to develop and implement targeted interventions to ameliorate or cure its consequences. However, the efficacy of interventions often differs widely between individuals, suggesting that populations should be stratified or even individualized. Large-scale cohort studies in humans, similar systematic 56 studies in model organisms, and detailed investigations into the biology of ageing can provide individual validated biomarkers and mechanisms, leading to recommendations for targeted interventions. Human cohort studies are already ongoing, and can be supplemented by in silico simulations. Systematic studies in animal models are made possible by the use of inbred strains, or genetic reference populations of mice. Combining both, the comprehensive picture of the various determinants of ageing and healthspan can be studied in detail, and an appreciation of the relevance of results from model organisms to humans emerges. The interactions between genotype and environment, particularly the psychosocial environment, are poorly studied in both humans and model organisms, presenting serious challenges to any approach to a personalized medicine of ageing. To increase success of preventive interventions, we argue that there is a pressing need for an individualized evaluation of interventions such as physical exercise, nutrition, nutraceuticals and calorie restriction mimetics as well as psychosocial and environmental factors, separately and in combination. The expected extension of healthspan enables us to refocus healthcare spending on individual prevention starting in late adulthood, and on the brief period of morbidity at very old age