Good Thinking

It’s a cliche, but sometimes the simple ideas really can be the best, and a new umbrella dubbed “Brolly” reinforces this notion once again by offering an umbrella design which allows the user to keep a firm grip on the handle, while still leaving both thumbs free for texting.  Read More

What could be better than a 3D-printed model of yourself? The answer of course is a 3D-printed model of yourself filled with candy. That's exactly what Hot Pop Factory recently made, when it created several working Pez dispensers fashioned after individual people's heads.  Read More

Usually when we hear the term “progressive optics” it’s in reference to bi- or trifocal glasses, that don’t have sharp lines between the different focal zones of the lenses. A group of scientists from Korea and the US, however, have recently used the technology to create something else – a prototype driver’s side car mirror that has no blind spot, yet that also doesn’t distort images in an unsafe manner.  Read More

Discarded shipping containers are proving to be convenient building blocks for everything from classrooms to houses to hotels. Container hotels, such as the Snoozebox, have especially popularized the idea of a "pop-up" structure that can be easily assembled in a short amount of time. But while the Snoozebox offers a low-cost alternative to a full-sized hotel, the Sleeping Around container hotel acts more like a portable bed and breakfast, providing guests with a comfortable place to rest in much more intimate locations.  Read More

Natural disasters cause millions of people to be displaced from their homes each year, so it's not surprising to see young designers putting their efforts towards creating accessible and economical solutions to ease the discomfort for such victims. The Softshelter, AbleNook and Carter Williamson’s Shelter are all great examples of such initiatives, and the Rely foldout sleeping domain is another one to add to the list.  Read More

In arid places where fog occurs overnight, some people utilize so-called “fog harvesters” to acquire fresh water. These are typically pieces of netting that collect fog droplets, which then roll down into a container below. Various researchers have tried to increase the efficiency of these harvesters, such as by making them from a combination of hydrophilic (water-absorbing) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) materials. Now, a team of scientists have done something a little different – they’ve created a cotton-based fog-harvesting material that switches between being entirely hydrophilic and entirely hydrophobic.  Read More

Desktop 3D printers have hit price-points that make them as affordable as color laser printers. But they also share the same problem – replacing the printing medium costs an arm and a leg. A kilogram of plastic filament costs about US$50, meaning the cost of turning your ideas into reality can quickly add up. But now the Filabot, a miniature plastic recycling plant, will provide a wide variety of plastic filaments from scrap.  Read More

Tires are one of those things that our society goes through a lot of, yet their disposal can be problematic. Being round and containing a large air cavity, they’re not exactly the most efficient things to store or transport. Those that don’t get recycled can end up collecting water and acting as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, or becoming part of giant “tire mountains.” A new device, however, is designed to cut them apart so they can be flat-packed – thus reducing the space they take up, and maximizing the amount that can be transported at once.  Read More

Have you ever wondered how some airline, train or bus passengers are able to sleep with their heads balanced in the middle of their seat back? Well, if you don’t possess whatever skill it is that such people have, perhaps you could use a Relax ALLY Restband – it’s a headband that keeps your head attached to the seat.  Read More