Design

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 04 jul 2013

A school in US is utilizing 'Design Thinking', concepts developed at Stanford University, to create learning schedule and classes for students to prepare them to adapt to the changes happening in the world. Design thinking starts with empathy and then to braistorming of possibilities, then to design and testing of prototypes and finally to formulating a solution. According to the principal of the school, design thinking is a teaching and learniing tool that helps students develop skills like creativity, innovation and adaptation. These skills will better equip students to meet the challenges of the future. Moreover students are provided with iPads for information and learning purposes and are taught the responsible use of technology tools and ability to differentiate between the reliable and unreliable sources of information. Read on...

The Almanac: Feature story-Envisioning a 'frontier of possibility'
Author: Renee Batti

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 03 jul 2013

Pharmaceutical industry has made heavy investments in the manufacture of biologic drugs like monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic proteins, immunotherapies and vaccines. The use of these drugs in treatment of many diseases will continue to increase and biologics sales are expected to reach US$ 166 billion by 2014. Moreover it is predicted that by 2023 biosimilar monoclonal antibodies and insulin products will account for 57% of the global biosimilars market. The technologies that are prevalent for manufacture of biopharmaceuticals traditionally include large fixed set-up with huge stainless steel bioreactors and tanks that are inflexible and require large capital expenditures. This is leading to their diminished utility in response to volume demand and changing market conditions. Now the production of personalized protein therapies will require changes in manufacturing technologies that would be more flexibile, low cost and can be produced in small batches. The need for multiproduct facilities will reduce use of larger equipments, large investments and facility installation times. Biopharma manufacturers are thus shifting to incorporate disposable or single use process technologies that result in smaller footprint, flexibility, scalability, and mobility without affecting product quality. Moreover single use bioreactors have other advantages like reduced cleaning and sterilization demands, cost savings of upto 60% as compared to fixed stainless steel bioreactors and are suitable for any type of biopharmaceutical product. Large therapeutic contract manufacturers are adopting this technology to produce biologics. The use of disposable technologies will further increase across the biopharmaceutical process and will globally improve healthcare options. Read on...

GEN: Flexibility in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity
Author: Patricia Fitzpatrick Dimond

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 03 jul 2013

Creative professionals are highly individual people that have unique things to motivate them to create new ideas and concepts. It is important to understand and respect their sensibilities to bring the best out of them. To nurture and manage creative talent and get the best output on an efficient and continuous basis, experts suggest - Set the bar and prioritize focus areas; Identify and leverage traits of individuals; Cater to strengths and empower them; Keep your hands dirty and involve yourself in the work at hand; Suggest but don't necessarily impose a process; Create healthy confusion by keeping them busy with multiple projects at a time; Encourage switching off to switch on to overcome burning out of creative talent; Keep them producing and avoid giving long gaps of inactivity and idleness; Make retention a conscious choice and create a culture that encourages it; Know when to, and able to, speak the tough truth to avoid keeping the talent in rut. Its an essential element of mentoring. Read on...

Fast Company: 10 Tips for Managing Creative People
Author: Rae Ann Fera

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 27 jun 2013

According to an Indian fashion designer, Gautam Gupta, the fashion industry is witnessing a shift towards textile design. Earlier the design was mostly focused on the designing of the end product. Considering that India has a rich history of textiles current phase of innovation in textiles is a positive sign for the industry. Another transformation is happening on the education side of the fashion with new courses and concepts finding acceptance in institutes. Instead of aping other countries, India has to create and develop its own niche and differentiate itself in the global fashion industry to remain relevant. Read on...

Deccan Chronicle: Fashion today is not just about designing alone
Author: Gautam Gupta

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 26 jun 2013

To achieve smart manufacturing (intelligent and integrated) there is need for better connectivity and networking technologies between production and the enterprise. OEM machinery builders are using single control and information platform to achieve this. The machine builders have to meet two key end user demands - better machine throughput and machine flexibility. According to experts, users are achieving better value due to the convergence of networks and use of Ethernet on the production floor. Read on...

Design News: Connectivity Enabling Smart Manufacturing
Author: Al Presher

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 25 jun 2013

Dr. Paul Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm says that there is a need to enhance the role of design in engineering at all levels and students should be supported to design innovative solutions for the society's problems. He mentions that in the present business and technology environment interdisciplinary teams are a necessity and by understanding possibilities students would be encouraged to fulfill their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) requirements and would pursue education and careers that will assist them in solving global challenges by integrating creativity and technology. Read on...

Huffington Post: Prepare for a New Era of Design Innovation, Says Qualcomm's Paul Jacobs
Author: Alice Korngold

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 25 jun 2013

According to the research at Babson College and Baruch College the early stage entrepreneurial activity in US increased to 13%, highest since 1999. The report also mentions that 34% of US-based entrepreneurs introduced innovative products and services. 75% of entrepreneurs engage in startup venture to pursue an opportunity rather then necessity. The factors that are contributing to rise in manufacturing entrepreneurship in US include - economic recovery; rise of automation; lean manufacturing models; demand for high quality and value products. 3D printing technologies are also creating changes in manufacturing entrepreneurship and giving rise to niche manufacturing startups that focus on customized products and cost effectiveness. Read on...

ThomasNet News: Students - Conditions Are Ripe for Manufacturing Entrepreneurs
Author: Ahvi Spindell

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 20 jun 2013

Innovative companies focus on connecting and building relationships with the customers at a meaningful level, says a chief design officer of a global company. He suggests adopting 'design thinking' and creating an organizational culture where innovation can thrive - Invest in dreams and aspirations, not just function and create emotional connection between customers and the product; Listen to customer but focus on their most critical problems to develop solutions; Align everyone around the same goal and vision and create a collaborative environment. Read on...

Entrepreneur: How to Inspire a Culture of Innovation
Author: Kathleen Davis

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 13 jun 2013

MIT Computer Science professor Daniela Rus and her team collaborated with researchers led by Professor Robert Wood from Harvard University's Microbiotic Laboratory to design a 3D printed robotic inchworm. Although the robot is printed flat but it is capable of self-assembling itself into a desired form with an electric current. Scientists mention that these printable inexpensive robots will find applications in numerous fields like education, healthcare, manufacturing, entertainment etc. Moreover the technology is convenient and user friendly to such a level that even an average person would be capable to design, customize and print a robot in few hours. Read on...

Design News: Harvard, MIT Researchers Design 3D Printed, Self-Assembling Robots
Author: Elizabeth Montalbano

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 13 jun 2013

Civil Engineering professors at University of Illinois, Jim LaFave and Larry Fahnestock, are finding clues after the Oklahoma City's devastating tornado storm regarding the resilience of certain buildings that stood the destruction while others got totally destroyed around them. Their survey intends to understand the construction practices and disaster preparedness of the city and how the construction of critical infrastructure like bridges, air-ports, schools, hospitals etc can be enhanced and evolved to overcome and minimize destruction caused by natural and man-induced disasters. Underground concrete shelters, pits in the garage, above ground 'safe rooms' etc were some solutions that saved lives during storm. Continued research in this field will be able to provide concepts and solutions to save lives and critical buildings in such situations. Read on...

The News-Gazette: UI profs survey tornado destruction for design clues
Author: Julie Wurth

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