<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Latest news from leading UK product design consultancy IDC]]></title><description><![CDATA[Articles]]></description><link>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright Latest news from leading UK product design consultancy IDC]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Solar Thermal Invention Energises Greener Future]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Best initially tasked IDC with developing specialist solar panels. The panels are much more efficient than standard solar panels due to heat pipe technology which conducts the heat more effectively. They are better insulated, lose less energy and subsequently achieve higher temperatures and efficiency than standard solar thermal panels. Best's tenacity and belief in the product provided a mainstay to see the solar panels come into being.  
  The panel technology has now been successfully licensed and Best has considered further applications of the technology.  IDC's work with Best has been applied to a powerful new in-house design for an air conditioning unit.  The company has recently unveiled the blueprint for a clever new system that can provide homes with both space heating and air conditioning from a low-cost thermal energy source.  
  The unique system is powered by Best's solar thermal panels but with the unique addition of jet-pump technology to deliver cooling during sunny periods. IDC and its partners are now seeking investors to turn the prototype into a commercially available product which is estimated to save the average consumer over £650* per year in energy bills, and cut annual carbon output by 2*tonnes.  
  IDC has created the design and technology behind the radical new cooling system that replaces the electrically powered compressor found in traditional cooling circuits with a thermally powered jet-pump.  Product designers, engineers and model-makers worked together to build and test both air-conditioning and refrigeration prototypes. With the theory proven, the company now has plans to implement the technology into a combined heating and cooling unit for domestic and commercial use.    
  IDC recently presented the technology at the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) Conference on Sustainability and the Cold Chain.  Based on its research and testing the proposed unit will be capable of delivering 4.5kW cooling during summer months and up to 4kW of space heating during colder periods. In addition, the solar thermal energy can be used all year round to provide or augment existing hot water systems.  
  "Although solar powered cooling technologies have been developed in the past, the simplicity of the jet-pump system will allow us to realise these products at a price that makes the technology accessible to a wide-range of customers," commented Ryan Fenton, lead design engineer.  
  The jet-pump was invented at the start of the twentieth century to remove air from steam engine condensers, but has been relatively untouched since. IDC has re-envisioned the technology by applying it to a more sustainable design for the future.  The jet-pump replaces the compressor, traditionally used in vapour compression refrigeration systems.  Thermal energy is used to generate a supply of high pressure vapour. This vapour is used to power the jet-pump, which creates a suction in the evaporator causing the refrigerant to evaporate and thereby generating a cooling effect.   
  "The changing climate is bringing with it a significant challenge for sustainable heating and cooling systems. This is a potential first for the market and an exciting prospect for new build housing and office development, as well as a great way to make existing buildings much more efficient, cost-saving and environmentally friendly. The development cost for this is extremely competitive and provides an optimised solution to the solar cooling challenge. It offers green-thinking consumers a significant return on investment compared to other solar systems, and lends itself to modular construction to meet larger scale cooling duties too," explained Stephen Knowles, managing director of IDC.  
  The results from operational tests of the prototypes were impressive, and the system is now running autonomously, generating reliable cooling performance over extended periods. Further improvements are being considered for the next iteration that will increase the efficiency of the system and extend the duration of use.   
  Findings also indicated that the system could be highly beneficial when used in a more wholesale or industrial context as a large scale refrigerator for hotels, supermarkets or medical purposes such as storing vaccines.  
  Extensive research and development has been conducted by IDC in partnership with UK based solar panel manufacturer, Sertec Energy Ltd and with Best’s renewable energy company Energy International Systems Ltd.  Grants from the UK government funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme and EU collaborative research programme have also assisted in bringing the technology to the current position.  
]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:42:41 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/solar-thermal-invention-energises-greener-future/</link><guid>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/solar-thermal-invention-energises-greener-future/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New Invention Responsible for Leap Forward in Biker Safety  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Dr. Ken Phillips felt compelled to consider how his knowledge as a medic could contribute to making a difference to biker safety on the road after hearing about the horrors of rotational head injury from his son, then a journalist for a motorcycle magazine.  
  With over 80% of fatal motorcycle accidents due to head trauma, rotational head injury is currently seen as the greatest cause of brain damage or death for motorcyclists involved in road accidents.  
  "My 'eureka moment' came when I considered how valuable the scalp is as a simple but extremely effective protective layer for the human skull and brain," explains Phillips.   
  Although the thick bone of the skull provides direct protection, it is the outer skin that protects against rotation during impact to the head.   
  "If I could replicate nature's own design in the form of a helmet, I felt this was the answer to improving the terrible statistics surrounding rotational head injury."  
  Having struck on the concept, Dr Phillips set about researching it thoroughly, using initial investment wisely to help establish estimated market penetration through to competitor distinctions.     
  The results indicated that the concept had an impressive commercial potential of £67 - £150 million. It also showed that conventional helmets only addressed the first half of the problem, making Phillips' own head protection concept unique.  Reassured by the research findings, the next step was to secure further investment and patent the concept.   
  A confidentiality agreement was signed by anyone who became involved in discussions around the development and Dr. Phillips approached an agent to devise a detailed patent.  Although the patent was costly, it has stood the test of time and protected the concept of a membrane covering a helmet more than adequately.  
  £100,000 of capital was generated from a small group of private investors and various similar bodies over the years. The invention also won a Smart Award from the Department for Trade and Industry, as it was then known, which enabled much of the early development process to get under way and prompted Dr. Phillips to set up the limited company Phillips Helmets. Major investment was only secured four years ago.  
  Dr. Phillips continues, "The patent has been extremely important, but protecting the know-how has been more precious.  Business Link recommended working with IDC to finesse the engineering and design of the concept in line with a regular helmet.  The process of honing and refining was critical to the way the product would look, feel and function and brought about numerous changes along the way."    
  The concept of a lubricated membrane was not straight forward to bring to life. The development process at IDC brought together in-house engineers, model-makers and designers to create something skin-like which would be much tougher and more flexible - and, most importantly, slide over the surface of the helmet without breaking on impact.   
  CAD software provided a quick means to transforming the concept into a series of tangible designs.  But central to the intensive research and development process was rapid prototyping.  Precision CNC machining paved the way for multiple impact absorbing liners for the helmet to be scuplted from a polystyrene block with optimum absorbence performance, allowing the team to test each design change along the way. The membrane was also tested in the same way.  
  The revolutionary product design required careful selection of materials. State-of-the-art vacuum casting was used to create prototypes and each material was tested for resistance and strength.  The chosen synthetic stretches up to eight times its original length and sits on top of the gel-like lubricant to form a protective layer across the surface of the helmet.  
  Dr. Ken Phillips is now the widely praised inventor of the Phillips Head Protection System (PHPS).  The invention has been applied to a next generation biker helmet following successful international licensing to Lazer Helmets Ltd. But the applications for the invention are endless.  Dr. Phillips is currently busy tapping into the sports and equestrian markets, but is also targeting industrial safety wear and protective headwear for military, law enforcement and recreational use too.  
  Phillips offers a final word for fellow inventors, "Don't give up. You have to be obsessional about your idea. Love it, nurture it and don't even consider that you won't achieve what you set out to. In the end, it's about believing in your idea and knowing that it's worth it."  ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:35:02 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/new-invention-responsible-for-leap-forward-in-biker-safety-/</link><guid>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/new-invention-responsible-for-leap-forward-in-biker-safety-/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[IDC Launches New Inventors Guide]]></title><description><![CDATA[  IDC has calls from inventors bristling with new ideas on a regular basis. To make the product development journey smoother, the team has put together a comprehensive guide for inventors which can be downloaded at   www.idc.uk.com/process/inventors-guide    
  With an introduction to research and development, the patenting process, confidentiality agreements and costs, as well as advice about seeking outside investment, licensing and ownership, marketing and selecting a product development consultancy, the   Inventors Guide   provides all the need-to-know essentials.   
  For those ready to set the product development wheels in motion, take an objective standpoint and consider the following 60 Second Checklist first:  
  60 Second Checklist      
Is the product worth investing in?  
What is the commercial potential of the product?  
What is the risk?  
What is the return on investment?  
Who is the target market?  
Are there competitor products similar to yours already on the market?  
Why is your product better and what makes yours different?  
Work out how much the product would cost, is there potential for a profit margin?      
  For more development queries contact us at IDC, 01753 547610 or email contact@idc.uk.com.  ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:22:01 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/idc-launches-new-inventors-guide/</link><guid>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/idc-launches-new-inventors-guide/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Solar Heating and Air Conditioning System to Cut Carbon Emissions and Reduce Cost]]></title><description><![CDATA[  
  
  The blueprint for a clever new system that can provide homes with both space heating and air conditioning from a low-cost thermal energy source  has been unveiled by the award-winning new product development team at Industrial Design Consultancy Ltd. (IDC).  

  The unique system is powered from solar thermal panels and uses jet-pump technology to deliver cooling during sunny periods. The company and its partners are now seeking investors to turn the prototype into a commercially available product which is estimated to save the average consumer  over £650* per year in energy bills, and cut annual carbon output by 2*tonnes.  
  IDC has created the design and technology for a radical new cooling system that replaces the electrically powered compressor found in traditional cooling circuits with a thermally powered jet-pump.  Product designers, engineers and model-makers worked together to build and test both air-conditioning and refrigeration prototypes. With the theory proven, the company now has plans to implement the technology into a combined heating and cooling unit for domestic and commercial use.  
  IDC recently presented the technology at the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) Conference on Sustainability and the Cold Chain.  Based on its research and testing the proposed unit will be capable of delivering 4.5kW cooling during summer months and up to 4kW of space heating during colder periods. In addition, the solar thermal energy can be used all year round to provide or augment existing hot water systems.    "Although solar powered cooling technologies have been developed in the past, the simplicity of the jet-pump system will allow us to realise these products at a price that makes the technology accessible to a wide-range of customers," commented Ryan Fenton, lead design engineer.  
  The jet-pump was invented at the start of the twentieth century to remove air from steam engine condensers, but has been relatively untouched since. IDC has re-envisioned the technology by applying it to a more sustainable design for the future.  The jet-pump replaces the compressor, traditionally used in vapour compression refrigeration systems.  Thermal energy is used to generate a supply of high pressure vapour. This vapour is used to power the jet-pump, which creates a suction in the evaporator causing the refrigerant to evaporate and thereby generating a cooling effect.  
  "The changing climate is bringing with it a significant challenge for sustainable heating and cooling systems. This is a potential first for the market and an exciting prospect for new build housing and office development, as well as a great way to make existing buildings much more efficient, cost-saving and environmentally friendly. The development cost for this is extremely competitive and provides an optimised solution to the solar cooling challenge. It offers green-thinking consumers a significant return on investment compared to other solar systems, and lends itself to modular construction to meet larger scale cooling duties too," explained Stephen Knowles, managing director of IDC.  
  The results from operational tests of the prototypes were impressive, and the system is now running autonomously, generating reliable cooling performance over extended periods. Further improvements are being considered for the next iteration that will increase the efficiency of the system and extend the duration of use.  
  Findings also indicated that the system could be highly beneficial when used in a more wholesale or industrial context as a large scale refrigerator for hotels, supermarkets or medical purposes such as storing vaccines  
  Extensive research and development has been conducted by IDC in partnership with UK based solar panel manufacturer, Sertec Energy Ltd and renewable energy specialists Energy International Systems Ltd.  Grants from the UK government funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme and EU collaborative research programme have also assisted in bringing the technology to the current position.  ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:05:25 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/solar-heating-and-air-conditioning-system-to-cut-carbon-emissions-and-reduce-cost/</link><guid>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/solar-heating-and-air-conditioning-system-to-cut-carbon-emissions-and-reduce-cost/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[IDC Applauds Plastics in Design at PDM 2010]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Stephen Knowles will address the role of plastics in medical design drawing on the company’s varied international case studies on 19th May at 11.45am.    The presentation will highlight a range of factors affecting plastics choice in product design when developing a world class medical device. Addressing the essential issues of device application and risk classification, as well as regulation, testing and compliance, Knowles looks at several award-winning medical products designed by IDC to illustrate how to tackle the central points in the process.   


  “Plastics often open doors in product design; choosing the right material is key to making a great product and can often prove cost-effective over other options. But it is only through an accurate and indepth understanding of polymers in the context of medical classification and regulations that superior quality products can be designed,” explains Knowles.     One product design placed under the microscope is a multi-award winning insulin pen designed for Indian healthcare giant Wockhardt.   With diabetes a significant problem in India, Wockhardt was able to supply insulin but lacked a cost effective way to administer it. The company needed both a disposable and reusable injector pen made from 100% plastic, which would meet stringent international regulations (ISO/FDA), testing and compliance, and also side-step existing patents without compromising on quality.  “As with all medical device projects, understanding a product’s purpose and function, and identifying competing products in the marketplace is vital through indepth user research.  Scrutinising everything from weight and strength for durability, specific or unusual aspects of mechanical performance, resistance to oils, UV, solvents, radiation and so on, is all part of the process when choosing the best polymer for each job.  The question of sterility and medical classification is another major issue, drawing attention to cleanliness in manufacture as well as infection control. Yet, depending on the level of invasiveness, sometimes a medical device won’t even require a medical grade polymer. All these factors, as well as tooling and manufacture, are part of the process for the designer,” continues Knowles.    Several other successful medical devices designed by the in-house team of engineers, designers and model-makers will be examined to illustrate the product development process.  The world’s first non-invasive Medick Personal Heart Monitor (class 1), from concept to production, and the ZYDUS CADILA Asthma Inhaler (class 2a), which has sold in the millions across India, are just two further examples of the merits of plastics in innovative design which IDC will explore on the day.  

  Stephen Knowles, managing director of IDC, will speak at Plastics Design & Moulding on 19th May 2010 at 11.45am.  ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 06 May 2010 20:25:51 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/idc-applauds-plastics-in-design-at-pdm-2010/</link><guid>http://www.idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/idc-applauds-plastics-in-design-at-pdm-2010/</guid></item></channel></rss>