Innovative companies need to invest in research and development. However, efficient companies realise that not all innovations need to occur in-house. Some examples are the adaptation of outside advanced analysis techniques to predict annoying noise or minimize overall environmental cost. Some pure academic research may be harder to adapt though. Happy reading.
What’s That Noise?
Squeaks and rattles may be perceived as indicators of poor quality. New analysis techniques are being developed to better predict these annoyances and remove them by design. This simulation can thus improve a company’s reputation for new product introduction.
Mechanical Engineering Magazine, October 2011
Measuring the True Cost of Building New Cars
The chief engineer of Jaguar Land Rover comments on the importance of looking at the big picture of the environmental impact of a product. As operational emissions decrease, manufacturing emissions become relatively more significant. The overall trade-offs and benefits need to be understood.
Professional Engineering Magazine, September 2011
The World’s 10 Most Innovative Companies, And How They Do It
Top innovators are not synonymous with top spenders. The most inventive companies focus their resources on their strategic strengths and harness the strengths of outside companies. Each high performing company has a unique and tailored innovation strategy.
Forbes, April 2011
Wasabi Fire Alarm Scoops Ig Nobel Prize for Japanese Scientists
Each year the Ig Nobel prizes honour academic research that provokes head shaking. This year’s research includes a study on whether people make worse decisions when they need to urinate. Another researcher spent six months teaching a tortoise to yawn on command.
The Guardian, September 2011