July 2009 Archive

Pulling water from thin air

We've all stood around the ubiquitous water cooler at work catching up on the latest office gossip. Well, now with the new Dewpointe Atmospheric Generator from US based Atmospheric Water Systems, you can have a green conscious even if you're being mischievous.

This amazing device draws drinking water from the humidity in the air to provide a steady supply of fresh drinking water. The Dewpointe first filters the air, then filters the water again before it is poured.

The fact that the water is sourced from the air means that the many heavy metals, pesticides, toxics, pharmaceuticals and microorganisms that are in our water supplies are not an issue.

The unit is roughly the same size as a standard water cooler, provides both cool, filtered water and hot water on-demand and can produce enough drinking water for the typical family, even in desert climates.

Clearly, it's a clever application of new technology and one that we hope comes to these shores soon.

Design thinking creates paradigm shift

Given our love for all things design and all things surf related, this news piece has particular relevance for all the crew at Katapult.

Thomas Meyerhoffer, a Swedish industrial designer based in California, has managed to combine his 2 loves, surfing and design, to create an innovative new range of surfboards. The hourglass shaped boards represent a paradigm shift in modern surfboard design.

Meyerhoffer used a classic design strategy, focusing on removing what was not needed, rather than adding new features. In doing so he has created a board with 2 definite riding zones (nose and tail) and minimised the "dead zone" under the rider's chest to create more arm room for paddling.

As you'll note in this video, it has also enabled him to pay detailed attention to the flow of the water into, under and out of the board. This produces an extremely responsive, high performance board that rides like a short board when you stand back, and allows you to nose ride like a long board as you move forward.

In an industry that has been surprising conservative in it's approach to design over the last 25+ years since the invention of the Thruster (3 finned board), this wild looking creation may be a catalyst for change.

Solar Ivy - Doubles your passive energy sources

Solar Ivy (aka SMIT GROW) is a fascinating new product developed by NY based sustainable design start-up SMIT.

The stylish photovoltaic "leaves" produce sustainable energy from 2 sources, the sun and the wind. The thin film photovoltaic is mounted on a polyethylene sheet with a piezoelectric generator attached to each leaf.

This innovation means that when the sun shines the PV cells generate power and when the wind blows the "fluttering leaves" cause the piezo generators to do the same. Two for the price of one.

Although not yet in production, the Solar Ivy is expected to be supplied in easy-to-install 8' x 4' panels that can be mounted directly onto building facades in both residential and commercial applications.

Need some help developing a sustainable product? Contact Katapult Design for expert assistance.

Move your pets upmarket

Here's a quirky example of great product design combined with a feel good environmental message and a sense of humour.

British firm Omlet have developed this cool looking pet hutch for suburban use. The Eglu has been designed together with leading animal experts to be an ideal habitat for your pets and attractive in your garden.

Suitable for use with chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs, these pet "apartments" are packed with smart features to make your life easier and keep your pet happy. They provide shelter, protected exercise space and privacy for your pets, whilst still allowing owners easy access for collecting the all-important eggs or cleaning out the poo!

Even if you don't have chickens, don't despair. Omlet can also supply you with ready to go layers for your new Eglu. They'll have you producing fresh homegrown eggs in no time.

Eco-friendly industrial design with a difference. We love it.

Re-thinking water

American company Kor has developed a beautiful new re-usable water bottle designed specifically for personal hydration.

Working closely with industrial designers RKS Design and innovative plastics manufacturers Eastman, they have focused on eliminating all the undesirable features of re-usable bottles to create this innovative new product.

A flip-top, re-sealable lid with no nasty threaded neck, a wide mouth for optimum flow (including ice cubes), a funky carry handle and a striking see-through bottle are some of the key design developments, but they only represent part of the story.

Kor has worked hard to be sustainable. The very nature of the re-usable product means that it addresses a growing market in this area as well as helping reduce landfill. They have also targeted 4 specific water-based organisations to donate a percentage of their sales profits towards. The respective organisations are linked directly to one of the 4 colours of the bottle. Buy a particular colour and part of your purchase will benefit a particular cause.

The other key environmental feature is the polymer used to mould the bottles. Eastman has developed a copolyester called Tritan which is free of bisphenol A, one of the nasty chemicals in polycarbonate, which makes it ideal for water bottles.

The design is now winning awards for sustainability as well as turning heads for it's style. Talk to us about how we can help your company be sustainable, innovative and profitable.