Innovation is about finding a better way of doing something. Like many of the new development buzzwords (which many of them are over-used on many business documents), the concept of innovation originates from the world of business. It refers to the generation of new products through the process of creative entrepreneurship, putting it into production, and diffusing it more widely through increased sales. Innovation can be viewed as t he application of better solutions that meet new requirements, in-articulated needs, or existing market needs. This is accomplished through more effective products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are readily available to markets, governments and society. The term innovation can be defined as something original and, as a consequence, new, that “breaks into” the market or society.
Innoveracy: Misunderstanding Innovation article points out that there is a form of ignorance which seems to be universal: the inability to understand the concept and role of innovation. The way this is exhibited is in the misuse of the term and the inability to discern the difference between novelty, creation, invention and innovation. The result is a failure to understand the causes of success and failure in business and hence the conditions that lead to economic growth. The definition of innovation is easy to find but it seems to be hard to understand. Here is a simple taxonomy of related activities that put innovation in context:
- Novelty: Something new
- Creation: Something new and valuable
- Invention: Something new, having potential value through utility
- Innovation: Something new and uniquely useful
The taxonomy is illustrated with the following diagram.
The differences are also evident in the mechanisms that exist to protect the works: Novelties are usually not protectable, Creations are protected by copyright or trademark, Inventions can be protected for a limited time through patents (or kept secret) and Innovations can be protected through market competition but are not defensible through legal means.
Innovation is a lot of talked about nowdays as essential to businesses to do. Is innovation essential for development work? article tells that innovation has become central to the way development organisations go about their work. In November 2011, Bill Gates told the G20 that innovation was the key to development. Donors increasingly stress innovation as a key condition for funding, and many civil society organisations emphasise that innovation is central to the work they do.
Some innovation ideas are pretty simple, and some are much more complicated and even sound crazy when heard first. The is place for crazy sounding ideas: venture capitalists are gravely concerned that the tech startups they’re investing in just aren’t crazy enough:
Not all development problems require new solutions, sometimes you just need to use old things in a slightly new way. Development innovations may involve devising technology (such as a nanotech water treatment kit), creating a new approach (such as microfinance), finding a better way of delivering public services (such as one-stop egovernment service centres), identifying ways of working with communities (such as participation), or generating a management technique (such as organisation learning).
Theorists of innovation identify innovation itself as a brief moment of creativity, to be followed by the main routine work of producing and selling the innovation. When it comes to development, things are more complicated. Innovation needs to be viewed as tool, not master. Innovation is a process, not a one time event. Genuine innovation is valuable but rare.
There are many views on the innovation and innvation process. I try to collect together there some views I have found on-line. Hopefully they help you more than confuze. Managing complexity and reducing risk article has this drawing which I think pretty well describes innovation as done in product development:
8 essential practices of successful innovation from The Innovator’s Way shows essential practices in innovation process. Those practices are all integrated into a non-sequential, coherent whole and style in the person of the innovator.
In the IT work there is lots of work where a little thinking can be a source of innovation. Automating IT processes can be a huge time saver or it can fail depending on situation. XKCD comic strip Automation as illustrates this:
System integration is a critical element in project design article has an interesting project cost influence graphic. The recommendation is to involve a system integrator early in project design to help ensure high-quality projects that satisfy project requirements. Of course this article tries to market system integration services, but has also valid points to consider.
Core Contributor Loop (CTTDC) from Art Journal blog posting Blog Is The New Black tries to link inventing an idea to theory of entrepreneurship. It is essential to tune the engine by making improvements in product, marketing, code, design and operations.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
The human brain builds structures in 11 dimensions, discover scientists
Groundbreaking research finds that the human brain creates multi-dimensional neural structures.
https://bigthink.com/hard-science/our-brains-think-in-11-dimensions-discover-scientists/#Echobox=1656121058-1
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.sciencealert.com/new-dna-technology-is-shaking-up-the-branches-of-the-evolutionary-tree
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.iflscience.com/a-cancer-kill-switch-has-been-found-in-the-body-and-researchers-are-already-hard-at-work-to-harness-it-50469
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://interestingengineering.com/garage-sized-reactor-could-provide-limitless-energy
Tomi Engdahl says:
Study identifies a tidal disruption event that coincides with the production of a high-energy neutrino
https://phys.org/news/2022-06-tidal-disruption-event-coincides-production.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://tekniikanmaailma.fi/voiko-kuusiokoloavaimen-keksia-uudestaan-saksalaisen-tyokaluvalmistajan-mukaan-kylla/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1656401817
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Idea Is Golden
Using a mesh of gold threads, an ultra-thin, non-irritating wearable sensor has been developed that can measure chemicals in biofluids
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-idea-is-golden-47230fcc1cd8
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://physicsworld.com/a/logic-gate-breaks-speed-record/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ground-Breaking Research Finds 11 Multidimensional Universe Inside the Human Brain
https://siamtoo.com/6524/
The human brain is capable of creating structures in up to 11 dimensions, according to scientists. According to a study published in Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, the Human brain can deal and create in up to 11 dimensions.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.iflscience.com/tesla-envisioned-drone-warfare-nearly-120-years-ago-37505
Tomi Engdahl says:
Harvard Developed AI Identifies the Shortest Path to Human Happiness
https://scitechdaily.com/harvard-developed-ai-identifies-the-shortest-path-to-human-happiness/
Deep Longevity, in collaboration with Harvard Medical School, presents a deep learning approach to mental health.
Deep Longevity has published a paper in Aging-US outlining a machine learning approach to human psychology in collaboration with Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School, an authority on happiness and beauty.
The authors created two digital models of human psychology based on data from the Midlife in the United States study.
“This study offers an interesting perspective on psychological age, future well-being, and risk of depression, and demonstrates a novel application of machine learning approaches to the issues of psychological health. It also broadens how we view aging and transitions through life stages and emotional states.”
The authors plan to continue studying human psychology in the context of aging and long-term well-being. They are working on a follow-up study on the effect of happiness on physiological measures of aging.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Scientists Have Measured a Perceptual Ability Called ‘O’. How Good Is Yours?
ISABEL GAUTHIER AND JASON CHOW, THE CONVERSATION
1 JULY 2022
Like snowflakes, no two people are exactly the same. You’re probably used to the idea that people differ substantially in personality and in cognitive abilities – skills like problem-solving or remembering information.
https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-have-measured-a-perceptual-ability-called-o-how-good-is-yours
Tomi Engdahl says:
Science, Space, Health & Robotics
Brand-new computer chip uses sound waves for data, not electricity
Harvard researchers have created the first chip that can modulate acoustic waves as information carriers, as opposed to EM waves.
Read more: https://www.tweaktown.com/news/87151/brand-new-computer-chip-uses-sound-waves-for-data-not-electricity/index.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
The vital art of talking to strangers
Three books explain why it matters—and can easily be lost
https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2021/07/10/the-vital-art-of-talking-to-strangers
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/news/ultra-thin-skin-compatible-nano-generators-can-power-electronics-from-breathing-eye-blinking-7af0ffeef616
Tomi Engdahl says:
Fun:
https://www.theonion.com/researchers-no-closer-to-understanding-what-the-fuck-yo-1828633404
Tomi Engdahl says:
Shine a light: New research shows how low-energy light can bend plastic
https://phys.org/news/2022-06-low-energy-plastic.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://phys.org/news/2022-06-non-classical-mechanical-states-phononic-waveguide.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
”Kestävän kehityksen mukaiset valinnat luovat kestäviä ratkaisuja, joista ihmiset voivat olla ylpeitä”, kertoo Stefan Blach, New Yorkissa sijaitsevan Studio Libeskindin arkkitehti ja osakas.
https://www.upmprofi.com/fi/komposiittivalmistaja/tuoteuutiset/uutiset/Kestavan-kehityksen-mukaiset-valinnat-luovat-kestavia-ratkaisuja/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tekoälyn kuuluisa testi vuodelta 1950 nykyaikaistetaan – Vielä ei ole tekoälyä, joka läpäisisi älyttömän tiukan seulan
Testi sai nimensä Alan Turingilta, joka kehitti merkittävästi tietokoneen teoriaa. Tietokoneen pitäisi esimerkiksi tunnistaa tuhat eri kieltä pienestä vinkistä.
https://www.hs.fi/tiede/art-2000008896463.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://bigthink.com/the-present/should-you-have-kids/#Echobox=1656123958
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://techxplore.com/news/2022-06-modulate-acoustic-chip.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ammoniakki ja vety ovat tulevaisuuden polttoainehittejä, joita Wärtsilä testaa Vaasassa: “Kyllähän tässä terve kisa on, kuka ehtii ensin ja millä tuloksilla”
Merenkulun päästöjen vähentämiseen etsitään kiivaasti ratkaisua ympäri maailman. Wärtsilä oy uskoo ammoniakkiin ja vetyyn. Vaasan laboratorioissa on testattu molempia hyvällä menestyksellä kaksoispolttoaine-ja kipinäsytytteisissä moottoreissa.
https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12038285
Tomi Engdahl says:
David Ahl places all his classic computing publications into the Public Domain
https://blog.adafruit.com/2022/06/16/david-ahl-places-all-his-classic-computing-publications-into-the-public-domain/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/offer-cisco-the-new-world-of-work-is-transforming-the-old-social-contracts/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Scientists at CERN observe three “exotic” particles for first time
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/scientists-cern-observe-three-exotic-particles-first-time-2022-07-05/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Climate change: ‘Sand battery’ could solve green energy’s big problem
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-61996520
Tomi Engdahl says:
Animals Have Been Cloned From Freeze-Dried Skin Cells in a Scientific First
https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-have-cloned-mice-from-freeze-dried-skin-cells
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microbes can produce electricity out of thin air. Scientists have finally figured out how to harvest it.
A microbial organism pulls electricity from water in the air.
https://bigthink.com/the-present/air-gen/#Echobox=1656898007-1
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://phys.org/news/2022-07-high-harmonics-illuminate-movement-atoms.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
President Biden reveals the James Webb Space Telescope’s stunning first image
https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/11/world/james-webb-space-telescope-first-image-scn/index.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Faster-Than-Light Travel Could Work Within Einstein’s Physics, Astrophysicist Shows
https://www.sciencealert.com/faster-than-light-travel-could-work-within-einstein-s-physics-astrophysicist-shows
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://insinoori-lehti.fi/tasta-on-kysymys/anna-aivoillesi-kesaloma/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.iflscience.com/a-new-record-for-the-strongest-magnetic-field-in-the-universe-64440
Tomi Engdahl says:
Researchers Turn Stone Into a Battery for Your Future Smart Home Systems
Turning stone into supercapacitors for energy storage systems, this team believes it may have cracked the future of green smart homes.
https://www.hackster.io/news/researchers-turn-stone-into-a-battery-for-your-future-smart-home-systems-341e7fd621ca
Tomi Engdahl says:
Quantum theory of consciousness put in doubt by underground experiment
https://physicsworld.com/a/quantum-theory-of-consciousness-put-in-doubt-by-underground-experiment/
A controversial theory put forward by physicist Roger Penrose and anaesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff that posits consciousness to be a fundamentally quantum-mechanical phenomenon has been challenged by research looking at the role of gravity in the collapse of quantum wavefunctions. Based on results from an experiment done under Gran Sasso mountain in Italy, the new work concludes that Penrose’s and Hameroff’s Orchestrated Objective Reduction theory (Orch OR) is “highly implausible” when based on the simplest type of gravity-related wavefunction collapse – although they point out that more complex collapse models leave some wiggle room.
Many scientists regard consciousness as a global manifestation of individual calculations by the brain’s billions of neurons. Penrose and Hameroff instead argue that consciousness is based on the non-computational collapse of coherent quantum superpositions between cellular structures within neurons known as microtubules. They reckon that while the superpositions guide classical neuronal processes, it is the continual gravity-related collapse of the quantum states that gives rise to our sense of self-awareness.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A who’s who of CEOs is begging every school to teach computer science
https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/12/23205907/tech-leaders-ceos-for-cs-apple-amazon-meta-microsoft
Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and other prominent figures in technology signed the letter
More than 500 notable people in business, education, and the nonprofit sector are calling for governors and education leaders to update K-12 curriculums to allow “every student in every school to have the opportunity to learn computer science,” according to a new letter posted publicly at https://www.ceosforcs.com/. The list of signatories includes many prominent figures in technology, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon founder and executive chair Jeff Bezos, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, and Meta founder, chairman, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
“The undersigned commit our support by collectively creating employment opportunities for computer science students in every city in the USA, and in every sector, from manufacturing to banking, from agriculture to healthcare,” the letter reads. “Many of us offer internships to help these students find their career pathway. Many of us have funded efforts in CS education, to support underserved communities. But there is only so much industry can do by ourselves.”
“Now is the time for action, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Together we urge you, for the sake of our students, our economy, and our country, to work together to update the K-12 curriculum, for every student in every school to have the opportunity to learn computer science,”
https://www.ceosforcs.com/
Tomi Engdahl says:
MIT scientists have found a way to boil water more quickly and efficiently
The innovation could reduce energy use in a variety of industries.
https://interestingengineering.com/mit-boil-water-quickly
What if water could be boiled more quickly and efficiently? It would benefit many industrial processes by reducing energy use, including most electricity generating plants, many chemical production systems, and even cooling systems for electronics.
Improving HTC and CHF
Now, MIT scientists have conceived of a method to do just that, according to a press release by the institution published on Tuesday. The researchers have found a way to improve at the same time the two key parameters that are conducive to the boiling process, the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) and the critical heat flux (CHF).
So how did the researchers achieve a more efficient and quicker boiling process? By adding a series of microscale cavities, or dents, to a surface, controlling the way bubbles form on that surface. This kept the bubbles effectively pinned to the locations of the dents and prevented them from spreading out into a heat-resisting film.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Chemists Just Rearranged Atomic Bonds in a Single Molecule For The First Time
MIKE MCRAE
18 JULY 2022
https://www.sciencealert.com/chemists-have-rearranged-the-bonds-of-atoms-in-a-single-molecule-for-the-first-time
If chemists built cars, they’d fill a factory with car parts, set it on fire, and sift from the ashes pieces that now looked vaguely car-like.
When you’re dealing with car-parts the size of atoms, this is a perfectly reasonable process. Yet chemists yearn for ways to reduce the waste and make reactions far more precise.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Three Tech Gadgets That Failed Because They Were Ahead of Their Time
In this Marques Brownlee video, looks at three gadgets that were ahead of their time: Google glass, Samsung Galaxy Camera, and the Motorola Atrix.
https://blog.adafruit.com/2022/07/13/three-tech-gadgets-that-failed-because-they-were-ahead-of-their-time/
Tomi Engdahl says:
What’s the difference between conspiracy theory and the truth?
Science.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Researchers explore a hydrodynamic semiconductor where electrons flow like water
https://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology-news2/newsid=61125.php
(Nanowerk News) You don’t normally want to mix electricity and water, but electricity behaving like water has the potential to improve electronic devices. Recent work from the groups of engineer James Hone at Columbia and theoretical physicist Shaffique Adam at the National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS builds new understanding of this unusual hydrodynamic behavior that changes some old assumptions about the physics of metals.
The study was published in the journal Science Advances (“Dissipation-enabled hydrodynamic conductivity in a tunable bandgap semiconductor”).
Tomi Engdahl says:
Another hydrogen transport powder emerges, promising double the density
https://newatlas.com/energy/eat-si-hydrogen-generating-powder/
Stir this silicon-based powder into water, and hydrogen will bubble out, ready for immediate use. Hong Kong company EPRO Advance Technology (EAT) says its Si+ powder offers an instant end to the difficulties of shipping and storing green energy.
This is the second powdered hydrogen advance we’ve learned about this week, designed to solve the same problems: transporting hydrogen is difficult, dangerous and expensive, whether the costs are for cryogenic cooling in a liquid hydrogen system, or for compression to around 700 times the normal sea-level air pressure.
But where Deakin University’s mechanochemical storage process takes hydrogen gas and traps it in a powder for easy, stable transport, releasing it only once the recyclable powder is heated, EAT’s silicon-based powder doesn’t require you to start off with any hydrogen at all – and getting the hydrogen back out is even easier
Mechanochemical breakthrough unlocks cheap, safe, powdered hydrogen
https://newatlas.com/energy/mechanochemical-breakthrough-unlocks-cheap-safe-powdered-hydrogen/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://speechelo.com/f-offer/?fbc_id=23851337005730272&h_ad_id=23851337005830272&fbclid=IwAR2AtrMdjxiQzXc3GYdIiZ56baHRu9O5ThyW13dXev77OaRdHwzIHlPE-PY
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://tieku.fi/ihminen/elimisto/uusi-laakeaine-kasvatti-hampaat-takaisin
Tomi Engdahl says:
Frog skin cells turned themselves into living machines
Newly created ‘xenobots’ swim and move particles around in their environment
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/frog-skin-cells-self-made-living-machines-xenobots
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/quantum-computer-time-dimensions-fibonacci-atoms-b2127518.html#Echobox=1658329952
Tomi Engdahl says:
To alleviate the fear of the unknown, you can start out small. You don’t want to make any rash moves in an uncertain economy and slowing job market.
Two Japanese concepts may help you figure out what to do next and how to grow: ikigai and kaizen.
How To Start Reinventing Yourself Using Ikigai And Kaizen
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2022/07/21/how-to-start-reinventing-yourself-using-ikigai-and-kaizen/?sh=4c2223484fce&utm_source=ForbesMainFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflowForbesMainFB
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://thedebrief.org/impossible-neutron-breakthrough-is-made-building-on-famous-double-slit-experiment/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reality doesn’t exist until you measure it, quantum parlor trick confirms
Two players leverage quantum rules to achieve a seemingly telepathic connection
https://www.science.org/content/article/reality-doesn-t-exist-until-you-measure-it-quantum-parlor-trick-confirms