Design And Technology ~

The innovative and creative creations of the

world we live in now .
Product 1) Heinz World’s Smallest USB Microwave

Product name : Beanzawave

Designed By : It was designed by Gordon Andrews and Stephen Frazer

Proportions of gadget (Prototype): The microwave stands at just 7.4 inches tall ,
6.2 inches wide as well as 5.9 inches deep .

Cost of gadget(tentatively) :£100 about $226

Purpose of product : This turquoise device has been created to aid those who
are tied to their desks for long hours . This can help them through the day or
night for students who are studying . This can warm up a drink or even some
snacks .
  

This is what it looks like plugged into

a laptop .

This is how the microwave looks like .

This product is the world’s smallest portable microwave , and it can be powered
via a link to the USB port on the computer . It is also so convenient that it can be
brought along when you’re on the train or even when you’re flying . However the
experts at the Microwave Association insist that the sophisticated miniaturised
technology does exist to turn the eye catching gadget into reality .

Apart from it’s size , the interesting feature of this microwave is that if the
combination of radio frequencies and use of mobile phones can help aid the
cooking of the food in the microwave . This will let the food cook inside out
within a minute .
Mr. Andrews, the managing director of GAMA Microwave Technology, said it is
possible to 'tune' the radio-frequencies to provide the best results with any
small product. 'It is possible to heat a pie, a burger, a cup of soup or tea in quick
time . There is the option of powering it with lithium ion batteries that would
make it completely portable, which would be a help to fishermen, campers or
sportsmen too.' Mr. Andrews said he created the oven after being approached
for help by Heinz, who wanted a portable microwave that would work with its
Snap Pots.
However, just as mobile phones have become cheaper, so the cost of production
could fall to the point where it becomes profitable to manufacture on a large scale.

Mr Andrews said the product meets all the safety standards of a normal
microwave oven, including protective walls and a door mechanism which kills the
power when it opens. Heinz claims there is a ready market for the ovens. A research
found that 69% of office workers find themselves so busy that they do not have a
chance to go out for lunch every day. Heinz Beanz marketing manager, John
Alderman, said: 'Heinz Beanz and Hoops Snap Pots are one of the most innovative
and successful new product launches in this category for the last two years,
boasting sales of over £22million. They were designed in response to the changing
eating habits of Brits, who require a quick solution to mealtimes, a trend which is
even more relevant in today’s environment. ‘ The single serve microwavable Snap
Pots allow people to quickly heat and eat. We are therefore delighted to be working
with Gordon as the Beanzawave is the perfect partner to Heinz Snap Pots, allowing a
nutritious snack to be whipped up anywhere in just 60 seconds.' Heinz said that any
decision on whether to support production will depend on the feedback it receives
from the public.
 Now let’s watch a video on how the microwave
would work :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG5FtZucb5s&feature=player_embedded
The cons and pros of the microwave :
The good points of having this microwave is that
•We are able to microwave food as and when we want as it is portable and can be powered just
by plugging it into the laptop.
•We save time from going to the nearest food outlet to get our food .
•It is easy to carry around , and it is safe to use .
•The microwave looks good and it may work well .
•It would run on rechargeable batteries that are located underneath .

The bad points of having it :

•It is a small microwave thus the food choices that we have are limited .
•It may not be able to generate enough energy to heat up the food completely .
•The USB port by itself cannot generate that much energy to heat up the food within a short
period .
•It the batteries die out , it would most probably require a laptop to recharge it .
Product 2) Survival Water Filter Straw

Product name : Aqua Safe Straw

Designed by : Razmik Mikaelian

Proportions of product : It is 210 mm in length , 18 mm in width and it weighs about

24 grams .

Cost of product : $44.95

Purpose of product : It is the ideal filter straw for emergency use during
unforeseeable circumstances when travelling, hiking and fishing . It can also act as a
backup filter for multi-day backpacking trips.
Aqua Safe Straw is a high tech, tested and approved water purification system that removes a total
of 99.9999% waterborne bacteria including those such as Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus, and Fecal Coliforms, plus parasitic contamination by Cryptosporidium, and Giardia .
This product can ensure that you and your family will have the confidence of drinking clean and safe
water from almost everywhere . Aqua Safe Straw offers various advantages such as : There’s no
after taste , no chemical additives - No chlorine no iodine added . It is chemical free , filtartion is
through a microporous membrane . It is easy to use , it’s bacteria free , it is inexpensive , it can filter
a high volume of water , it is reusable and it is also durable for travelling . The straw can withstand
up to 9 months of continuous usage , it requires and external energy to run on as well . The straw
can filter up to 500litres of water which makes it cost effective .

The Aqua Safe Straw is a plastic straw fitted with a special membrane which uses microfiltration
technology . However , Aqua Safe Straw is designed only for removing water bacteria in glass filled
with tap water. It is designed for use single person use and must be treated with care. It has not
been designed to remove the taste of the water.
Design Specification of product

The straw has been designed and manufactured to Food and Health Government regulations. It
was also designed to meet the following requirements :
 Children as young as 12 months should be able to use the straw to drink water
 Removes Bacteria including Giardia and Cryptosporidium
 Stops operating once filter membrane is ineffective
 Does not introduce any bad taste
 Chemical Free
 Ready for immediate use, giving immediate results
 Exceed US Centre for Disease Control guidelines
 Exceed US Environmental Protection regulations
 Exceed US Food and Drug Association regulations
 Exceed World Health Organizations Guidelines
 Be portable and able to fit in a pocket
 Weigh less than 30 grams
 Be robust
 Be cost effective
 Be environmentally friendly
The straw consists of two parts - a hard outer casing made out of polypropylene together with an
inner, hollow fibre filter membrane. The filter membrane inside, is made of multiple hollow fibre
membranes, 40 plus metres, packed into a casing. These membranes are produced by a melt
spun and drawn processes from 100% polyethersulfone raw materials. After the membrane is
manufactured the surface is coated with hydrophilic polymer to aid the filtration process. Filter
membranes have a pore size of 0.2 micron.

For optimum results, submerge the opening of the straw in the receptacle holding water to a depth
no greater than the high water mark shown on the outer casing of the straw. Once submerged,
simply sip through the mouthpiece.

Once finished drinking the water, stand the straw in an upright position to drain to remove excess
water then replace the mouthpiece. Once the product thoroughly dry, store the product in dry and
cool conditions .However , the straw is not designed to remove chemical contaminants, heavy
metals or viruses contained in water.
How the Straw would work :
The Pros and Cons of having this product :

The Pros of having it :

•It is eco-friendly.
•It is light , durable and easy to carry around .
•It is good for the outdoors , as well as for unforeseeable circumstances.
•It can filter water sources , ensuring clean and safe water .
•It doesn’t run on batteries or any source of power .
•It is reusable , it is cost effective .
•It has met various requirements and is safe for people to buy and use .

The Cons of having it :

•It does not filter water sources such as lakes etc .
•It does not remove the taste of the water .
•It is quite expensive .
•It also does not remove chemical contaminants, heavy metals or viruses contained in water.
Product 3) Portable solar powered radio

Product Name : Flexio Portable Solar powered radio .

Designed by : Wu Kun-chia, Wang Shih-ju, Chen Ming-daw and Liou Chang-ho

Proportions of product : It contains a flexible 1-mm-thick speaker on one side,

and a flexible 0.5-mm-thick solar cell on the other and the total thickness of the
radio is just ten millimetres.

Cost of product : UNKNOWN .

Purpose of Product : The Flexio is a solar powered single station radio which can
receive a signal over the airwaves, or internet radio via Wi-Fi and wi-max.
It appears that the Flexio team is primarily looking at marketing this at individual
radio stations as promotional items: since there’s no real gadgetry in the Flexio,
let alone room for a tuner, each radio is tuned to a specific frequency, thus
each radio station would need to give its listeners its own.

This single use device is from local research institute (and former employer) ITRI
and the Scenario Lab. The Flexio is a solar powered single station radio which can
receive a signal over the airwaves, or internet radio via Wi-Fi and wi-max. It's thin
enough to fit in your wallet, the result of some serious flexible speaker and
solar cell innovation, making this an excellent travel companion. "Life is like a box
of radio." Flexio makes it possible to enjoy your favourite radio channel in the
office, in a café, or anywhere with sunshine. Flexio is a paper-packaged radio,
which is printable and inexpensive. One Flexio package can only receive one fixed
radio channel. It contains a flexible 1-mm-thick speaker on one side, and a flexible
0.5-mm-thick solar cell on the other. Between them is a filler that creates
resonance for better sound quality. The outer casing is paper.
This is how the Solar
Powered Portable Radio
would work .
 It’s slim enough to be put into a
wallet .

It looks stylish as well .

 The several radio stations in a
box .

The radios come in boxes according

to the countries .
The cons and pros of owning the solar powered radio :
The PROS OF HAVING THIS PRODUCT :
•It’s portable , it’s light , it’s easy to carry around and it serves as a great gift for
occasions .
•It’s eco friendly and is solar powered .
•It has got flexible speakers inside thus making it convenient to put it in a purse or wallet
.
•It does not require any headset at all , thus saving the hassle of bringing earphones out .
•It is as flat as a bookmark thus can also serve as one .

THE CONS OF HAVING THIS PRODUCT :

•If owned , you can only listen to one radio station only.
•It has the FM channels only , thus doesn’t cater to listeners that usually tune
into the Am channels .
•You can only tune in if you are within the radio waves put out by the station .
 THE END !

Thanks to www.designswan.com , www.aquasafestraw.com as well as www.google.com