Lab+Six


 * __WEEK SIX__ **
 * Tutorial #6 Wiki Question**

[] ** and write a short, one paragraph synopsis for each of your three favorite product designs. Describe why you like the design in your responses. **
 * Look over examples of her biomimetic principles applied in the slideshow located at **

My first favorite product design is the “Sonar-Enabled Cane”. This device was designed for the visually impaired, and uses sonar-like technology to help the individual aware of the objects surrounding them. By doing so these signals help to navigate the individual. The idea of this device derived from the way animals will locate surrounding animals, praetors and food. In the case of this device it can be best described like the traits of the bat. Bats use echolocation to help navigate then through total darkness, by doing so it helps them to track and hunt insects which is their food for survival. Before the technology of these canes, visually impaired individuals still used a echolocation method by tapping their seeing canes in their surroundings to help prepare them for on coming objects. But now because of these sonar canes they are able to have a better response time since these canes help to prepare them. I like this design because, because it takes a very trivial object (the original seeing cane) and makes it more beneficial and easier for the individual using it. This is beneficial not only to them but to the community as well. Also there is the percentage of people that become blind due to age, health or an accident and because of this device it will be a smoother transition for that individual as appose to being aware of their surroundings just through the old seeing cane.

My second favorite product design is the “Antibacterial Film”. This film was discovered by, Biosignal. They studied a type of seaweed that had natural compounds that could actually prevent bacteria from gathering by creating a film, which prevented the bacteria from colonizing by simply interfering with the signals that the microbes use to communicate. The idea of this was applied to contact lenses, because it helps to prevent infection without creating resistance of bacteria over time. I like this design because I can relate especially since I wear contact lenses, and have had to fight some pretty bad eye infections to the point where I could not wear them for a while and had to switch brands completely. This could also be very beneficial in the case if it can be applied to say Band Aids to prevent infections from cuts.

My third favorite product design is the idea of Bio-Inspired Color Displays. Basically, this is a mirasol display, which shows color in a similar way that a butterfly shows off its colors. Rather then showing pigmented pixels, the mirasol displays have tiny structures that reflect light in a way where wavelengths of light interfere with each other and create these vivid colors. This idea is considered to be beneficial for cell phones because it can reduce its power consumption. I like this design because it could potentially help the world go greener on the electronic side of things by simply lowering the power consumption of computers and televisions in homes and companies.

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