Material Girl

I had one of those, "Why didn't I think of that moments today:

Pros: Cocoon's Grid-it Organizer allows for versitility and customization between individuals; it provides order and utility where none often exists, and it allows this its beauty to shine through its choice of material.

Cons: It's a bit drab, doesn't look like it is bendable; I'm not sure if it's double sided, and finally/sadly, elastic grows old.... I wish that it came with a repair back-up or upgrade idea.... but that's why 2.0's exist, yeah?

Scientists in Illinois have stress (detecting polymers)

The University of Illinois has developed a polymer that changes color under stress. Like any one of us, one polymer turns a shade of red when stretched too far, and another turns purple when squashed. Although talks of pull chords and bridge production have joined the conversations about this material, I'd like to see it put into our touchscreen computer; that way, when my husband stabs the screen with his finger, I am not the only think that winces!
Other possible uses for the everyday? Hand held physical therapy devices that help the patient see his improved squeezing capabilities over time... make pants out of them- then someone will have a scientifically proven indicator that the fabric is stretching too much, and one needs a bigger size!
Surely, they could find a way to apply this to the bottom of a piece of luggage, so that when it's more than 50lbs, it turns purple (long enough for the user give it a tip and check): friends and family need no longer to play the weigh and swap game at the check-in counter.

Frozen Smoke

I came across a Times article from 2007 about aerogel, a material made of 99% gas that can insulate a person too much, absorb oil spills, and catch stardust (no, really). Goofy Nova-esque pictures show in-lab shots of scientists working in a dark room with what looks like a very transparent piece of cotton. Plus its recyclable, fire resistant and not affected by water (so no mold)..
The material is currently being placed along framing for houses, to keep them warm in the winter. No one has yet said if this material has been used to keep anything cool...
it seems to me that this product's light weight could make an excellent fit with newer ideas of replacing the refrigerator with cold drawers throughout one's kitchen. Such use may provide the refrigeration industry with a more eco-friendly alternative material.

Maturialism

Trendspotting.com has coined the phrase "Maturialism," a word that points to modern consumers' move toward choosing the most professional or premium versions of a product over any other. It writes "The delights associated with MATURIALISM are enjoyed on a more intimate level: the pleasure of consuming (and sometimes subtly showing off) premium goods and services, with the 'professional-grade' or 'mature' label justifying the purchase of items that might otherwise have been considered 'flashy'."
The site lists products from Home Depot's Rigid line and Las Vegas, to North Face's professional camping gear and apparel and Viking Range's professional kitchen appliances ("the ultimate blend of professional performance and residential convenience").

Such a trend might also be linked with a move away from the disposable and toward products that consumers hope to own for a lifetime... the way mom and dad used to.

Best Tea Pot Ever

Vessel Ideation's aptly titled "One" won first place at this year's World Kitchen Tea off. It's design allowed users to heat and serve the beverage in the same container. The design uses new technology (thermochromic ink that becomes visible once the water inside has reached the boiling point) to create a blue motif much like the classic blue and white plates found in kitchens world-wide. The result: a simple, modern look that echoes the nostalgic simplicity of the past.

Small and Bright

Small space living will surely become a norm of human life, as cities get bigger and the Erath remains the same size it's always been.
Olga Tcherednikova makes use of color to provide a small kitchen with a lot of personality. Beyond color, her kitchen design features built-in furniture, and shiny, sleek materials.

Another such example of small space efficiency is the Amana-Jot refrigerator from Whirlpool, which can be directly written on (like a giant white board) instead of holding paper (read: wasted paper) notes by magnet.

Breakable Dinner Plate

Alexander Hume has designed a breakable Dinner plate-why?

Hume's plate breaks into 2 smaller plates if dropped- not merely for novelty, but because he acknowledged a design trend: design for the environment.
Simply put, Hume, is giving his materials second lives.
Genius!

Kitchen Trends 1

This Old House Online has sorted the Top five kitchen trends of the year (based on last month's Kitchen and Bath Industry show) into earth-friendly, high-tech, colorful, designed for fresh/ healthy food preparation, and convenience-meets-functionality.