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Science Experiments / How to research/invent a new product?
« on: 03/01/2015 20:54:03 »
Hello,
I was so annoyed with my zippers on jacket and backpack that I was wondering about zippers and got further into it (how they work, when they've been invented, where they are manufactured, materials etc.)
Then I found that there are some people working on alternatives - for instance a zipper with a magnet to assure single handed zipping (more expensive and it would need to be produced directly where garments are coming from and be included widely in garments).
Or some powerful magnets for tying up shoes - which wouldn't really work with backpacks and jacket - whereas we've got a cool mosquito net with magnets that snaps together after one went through.
(both products found on kickstarter).
Now I was wondering how to start. It doesn't have to be a zipper - it should be a closing tool that holds to sides of fabrics together.
So I was looking into materials - probably it should be organic chemestry - so plastics would be cheap, resistant, something to start from.
How would you continue from there? Research prices for raw material first? Or mechanics?
How would you organise tests and ideas? Get ideas and inspiration?
I'm coming from an IT/economical/private enterprise background - so this is a bit .. interdisciplinary .. for me - if I might put it like that.
Thanks,
Chris
I was so annoyed with my zippers on jacket and backpack that I was wondering about zippers and got further into it (how they work, when they've been invented, where they are manufactured, materials etc.)
Then I found that there are some people working on alternatives - for instance a zipper with a magnet to assure single handed zipping (more expensive and it would need to be produced directly where garments are coming from and be included widely in garments).
Or some powerful magnets for tying up shoes - which wouldn't really work with backpacks and jacket - whereas we've got a cool mosquito net with magnets that snaps together after one went through.
(both products found on kickstarter).
Now I was wondering how to start. It doesn't have to be a zipper - it should be a closing tool that holds to sides of fabrics together.
So I was looking into materials - probably it should be organic chemestry - so plastics would be cheap, resistant, something to start from.
How would you continue from there? Research prices for raw material first? Or mechanics?
How would you organise tests and ideas? Get ideas and inspiration?
I'm coming from an IT/economical/private enterprise background - so this is a bit .. interdisciplinary .. for me - if I might put it like that.
Thanks,
Chris