Formalizing the concept phase of product development

We discuss the use of formal techniques to improve the concept phase of product realisation. As an industrial application, a new concept of interventional X-ray systems has been formalized, using model checking techniques and the simulation of formal models. cop. Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015.

Gaining industrial confidence for the introduction of domain-specific languages

Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) receive attention as the possible next abstraction step in programming. Despite the benefits of using DSLs, in the industry there is also some reluctance against their introduction in product development. We address a number of issues that are important to gain industrial confidence for the introduction of DSLs....

Editorial: Comfort and discomfort studies demonstrate the need for a new model

The term comfort is often seen relating to the marketing of products like chairs, cars, clothing, hand tools and even airplane tickets, while in the scientific literature, the term discomfort shows up often, since it is used in research. Few papers explain the concept of a localized comfort experience in relation to product use, although people...

Direct measurement of the triplet exciton diffusion length in organic semiconductors

We present a new method to measure the triplet exciton diffusion length in organic semiconductors. N,N′-di-[(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl]-1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (NPD) has been used as a model system. Triplet excitons are injected into a thin film of NPD by a phosphorescent thin film, which is optically excited and forms a sharp interface with...

Imitation analysis: Early prediction of the market demand for major innovations

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe a method of estimating the likelihood that a person with particular characteristics will imitate a particular new behaviour (i.e. the use of an innovation). This estimation can be used to provide a new form of forecast for the likely market demand for an innovation. Design/methodology/approach -...

Business-driven innovations towards more sustainable chemical products

The aim of the study presented here was to gain an understanding of business-driven innovations towards more sustainable chemical products and processes. A case study was undertaken to assess and analyse the experiences of five different companies. These companies varied in size from small to a multinational, and they also varied in their...

Achievements & bottlenecks in humanitarian demining EU-funded research: Final results from the EC DELVE project

The EC DELVE Support Action project has analyzed the bottlenecks in the transfer of Humanitarian Demining (HD) technology from technology development to the use in the field, and drawn some lessons learned, basing itself on the assessment of the European Humanitarian Demining Research and Technology Development (RTD) situation from early 1990...

Product-services as a research field: Past, present and future. Reflections from a decade of research

In the last decade many researchers, institutes and programs in the EU paid attention to product-service systems (PSS). Given this massive effort, it is time to take stock. Is PSS research a theoretical field in its own right? Is the PSS concept indeed the road to the Factor 10 world? Is it the road to enhanced competitiveness? What is needed to...

Protection of the Dutch critical infrastructures

Societies are increasingly dependent on a set of critical products and services which comprise the Critical Infrastructure (CI). Using a methodological approach, The Netherlands determined its critical products and service and analysed the critical dependencies. The relative importance of a critical product or service was determined based upon...

Environmental impacts of products: Policy relevant information and data challenges

The research and analysis presented in this special issue shows that the same limited number of consumption categories are consistently revealed to be responsible for the largest share of environmental impact: mobility (automobile and air transport), food (meat, poultry, fish, and dairy followed by plant-based food), and residential energy use...

Environmental impacts of products: a detailed review of studies

Environmental effects of economic activities are ultimately driven by consumption, via impacts of the production, use, and waste management phases of products and services ultimately consumed. Integrated product policy (IPP) addressing the life-cycle impacts of products forms an innovative new generation of environmental policy. Yet this policy...

Mobile communications and standards dynamics1

This paper addresses the changing role that standards play in achieving interoperability and stability. It starts with a discussion of what standards dynamics means in this context which it explores in terms of a drive towards dominant design in technology markets. Here, the paper distinguishes two main levels of standards dynamics. The first...

Exploring human centred approaches in market research and product development - Three case studies

How can human centred approaches in market research and product development improve the process and results of innovation? Based on case studies two recommendations are formulated: 1) use a comprehensive view on man for studying people's behaviour, needs and wishes while they use products or services; and 2) employ an open dialogue and...

A chain information model for structured knowledge management: Towards effective and efficient food product improvement

New food products often fail, because they are not designed according to consumers' wishes or not produced efficiently. Frequently, the information required for an effective and efficient product development process is not relayed to the appropriate actor in the chain. This article presents a conceptual model to gather and disseminate...

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) - Can it be used to develop food products?

Publications on the use of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) for the development of food products state that the method is potentially a useful tool. The use of QFD would enlarge the chance of success, produce higher quality products and decrease the cost and the development time. However, a scrutinous evaluation of the available literature...

Towards successful physical stress reducing products: An evaluation of seven cases

Lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling at work are assumed to be related to increased risks of musculoskeletal injury, mainly in the low back and shoulder region. The implementation of products to reduce the physical load in heavy work is a well-known strategy to attack this problem. The success of these products depends not only on the product...

MANUS: The evolution of an assistive technology

Manus is a wheelchair mounted robotic arm that was designed for people who have significant impairment in function of all limbs. The process of development, user testing, and product modifications is described, with special emphasis on evaluations by consumers. After an evolution of 20 years, Manus is a commercially available product that is now...

3rd (International) TNO Conference on New Commercial Technical Developments: Interaction of Marketing and Research & Development in the Chemical Industry, Rotterdam, Nederland, 26-27 February 1970