Tag Archives: health

Innovation or Not – Liquid Trees

Innovation or Not - Liquid Trees

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

Innovation has become the driving force behind progress in today’s world. From cutting-edge technologies to groundbreaking scientific discoveries, we are continuously witnessing the power of human ingenuity. However, amidst all the revolutionary advancements, it is essential to question what truly defines innovation. Do we only consider groundbreaking and high-tech inventions as innovative? Or can innovation be found in something as simple as nature itself?

One such marvel of nature that challenges our perception of innovation is the concept of liquid trees. Unlike traditional trees, liquid trees are not rooted in the ground, nor do they possess a solid structure. Instead, they are composed of water particles suspended in the air, forming swirling, fluid-like formations. And while this might seem like a whimsical notion, it holds the potential to revolutionize our understanding of sustainability and environmental conservation.

Liquid trees, also known as aeroplankton or aeroplanktic organisms, are a prominent example of biomimicry – the imitation of nature’s designs to solve human problems. By emulating the way these organisms harness air and water for sustenance, we can develop innovative solutions for resource management and energy production.

One of the most striking aspects of liquid trees is their ability to extract moisture from the atmosphere. Just like traditional trees draw water from the ground through their roots, these ethereal counterparts can collect airborne water particles and convert them into a usable form. This unique trait makes liquid trees a potential solution for regions facing water scarcity.

Imagine a world where buildings are equipped with liquid tree-inspired systems that capture and condense atmospheric water vapor, providing a sustainable source of freshwater. Not only would this technology alleviate the pressure on depleted groundwater reserves but it would also reduce our carbon footprint by eliminating the need for energy-intensive water treatment processes.

Aeroplankton also holds promise in the realm of renewable energy. The flow and circulation of air around liquid trees are akin to those in wind turbines, presenting an opportunity for wind energy innovation. By mimicking the dynamics of these floating organisms, we can design wind turbines that are more efficient and less intrusive to the environment. Imagine harnessing clean energy from the gentle swaying of these ethereal structures, without the need for expansive wind farms blotting the landscape.

Moreover, liquid trees can serve as a reminder of the beauty and resilience found in nature. In an increasingly urbanized world, where concrete jungles replace lush green forests, we often lose sight of the wonders around us. The concept of liquid trees challenges us to appreciate the elegance and adaptability of nature’s designs and incorporate them into our own technological advancements.

Innovation is not limited to high-tech gadgets or intricate algorithms. It encompasses any creative solution that pushes the boundaries of what we perceive as possible. Liquid trees serve as a humbling reminder that sometimes the most ingenious ideas can be found in the simplest of forms.

As we strive for sustainable solutions and progress towards a greener future, let us not overlook the lessons nature has to offer. By embracing the concept of liquid trees and exploring its applications, we can redefine innovation and lead the way towards a more harmonious coexistence with our environment. After all, the true test of innovation lies in our ability to find inspiration in the natural world and create something truly extraordinary.

But There is Another Kind of Liquid Tree

Innovation continues to surprise us with extraordinary ideas that challenge our perception of what is possible. One such remarkable innovation in the field of sustainability is the Liquid 3 photo-bioreactor. Drawing inspiration from liquid trees and biomimicry, these photo-bioreactors take the concept of harnessing renewable energy from nature to new heights.

Liquid 3 photo-bioreactors, also known as algae bioreactors, capitalize on the remarkable ability of photosynthetic microorganisms to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into valuable products, including biofuels and high-protein biomass. These bioreactors consist of transparent acrylic tubes filled with a suspension of algae, which are then immersed in a liquid medium.

The process of photosynthesis takes place within the tubes as sunlight penetrates, providing energy for the algae to drive their growth. Depending on the specific intent, the algae can be engineered to produce specific compounds or simply utilized to capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the most significant advantages of Liquid 3 photo-bioreactors is their efficiency in converting sunlight into energy. Unlike traditional biofuel production methods, which require vast land areas for growing crops like corn or sugarcane, these bioreactors can be installed in smaller spaces, such as urban rooftops or alongside buildings’ exteriors. This vertical integration allows for the absorption of sunlight from various angles, optimizing energy capture.

Furthermore, Liquid 3 photo-bioreactors have shown impressive productivity compared to traditional crop-based systems. Algae in these bioreactors can multiply rapidly, thanks to their highly efficient nutrient absorption and growth rates, resulting in higher yields of valuable biomass. Additionally, algae cultivation does not compete with food crops for arable land, making it a sustainable alternative for biofuel and food production.

The potential applications for Liquid 3 photo-bioreactors extend beyond energy production. They have shown promise in wastewater treatment, where algae can effectively remove pollutants and excess nutrients from water bodies. This approach not only cleanses the water but also turns a waste product into a valuable resource, as the harvested algae can be further processed for various applications, including fertilizer production or bioplastics.

Liquid 3 photo-bioreactors emphasize the interconnectedness between sustainable energy production, environmental stewardship, and economic benefits. By utilizing these bioreactors, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, mitigate climate change by capturing carbon dioxide, and generate valuable by-products that contribute to a circular economy.

As with any innovation, there are challenges to overcome. Scaling up the production and implementation of Liquid 3 photo-bioreactors remains an area of active research and development. Identifying the ideal algae strains for maximum productivity, optimizing the system’s design and operational parameters, and ensuring cost-effectiveness are all key factors to consider.

However, the potential benefits far outweigh the challenges. Liquid 3 photo-bioreactors offer a promising solution to the pressing global issues of energy sustainability, carbon emissions, and waste management. By embracing this innovative approach, we can make substantial progress towards a greener and more sustainable future.

In conclusion, Liquid 3 photo-bioreactors intertwine the principles of biomimicry, renewable energy, and circular economy. By emulating the efficiency of natural photosynthesis, these bioreactors bring us closer to achieving a harmonious and sustainable coexistence with our environment – absorbing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen to urban centers equivalent to the impact of two ten-year old trees. As we continue to explore and develop these remarkable technologies, let us remain open to the lessons nature has to offer, using innovation as a catalyst for positive change.

It will be interesting to see whether either of these types of liquid trees catch on. I guess only time will tell.

So, what do you think? Innovation or not?

Image credit: Liquid 3


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Mask of the Road Warrior – The Xupermask

Xupermask on WILL.I.AM

WILL.I.AM and Honeywell have collaborated to bring the Xupermask to market.

What is the Xupermask?

It’s probably easiest to describe the Xupermask as equal parts: health & safety equipment, personal electronics, and fashion statement.

At its heart the Xupermask is a human-centered design intended to empower the user to feel both safe AND productive. It addresses the following set of user needs that are mostly unmet by traditional mask options:

1. Fits well to the face so escaping air doesn’t fog up your glasses
2. Fit also better prevents unsafe air from entering
3. Fans improve the ease of respiration
4. HEPA filters improve air quality
5. Built-in microphone for easier and safer phone calls
6. Built-in Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones for phone and entertainment

For me, the Xupermask seems like overkill for many day to day situations.

But, when I think about getting on public transport every day or flying on a commercial airline cross-country or across an ocean, the idea of having a Xupermask to wear becomes quite appealing.

And for those of us in the western United States, this could come in quite handy during forest fire season – just saying.

What do you think about the Xupermask?

Innovation or not?

Image credit: Xupermask


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Innovation is Human

Innovation is Human

In many ways organizations are like humans, and others have described organizations and organizational change in biological terms before. But this biological context applies to innovation as well, and I’d like to put it forward quickly in simple terms.

As humans we must eat to survive, but if we focus too much on eating, we get unhealthy.

If we don’t focus enough on eating or if we eat the wrong things, we get unhealthy.

If we don’t enjoy enough variety in our experiences, we get unhealthy.

If we don’t spend enough time synthesizing those new experiences to uncover insights via sleep, we get unhealthy.

If we don’t eliminate our waste, we get unhealthy.

And finally, and probably most important to our health, we must exercise to increase our strength, flexibility, agility, reduce our stress levels, to build new capabilities, and to increase our longevity.

But, you can exercise too much, and get unhealthy as well.

The key is balance.

And the same is true for organizations, and parallels for all of these human activities can be drawn to the activities of organizations as well.

And while our interactions with food can be compared to our focus on the day to day operations within the context of the organization, the pursuit of innovation is the exercise for the organization.

And in much the same way that many people resist exercise even though they know it is good for them, many organizations do as well.

But for organizations to stay fit and enjoy a long and productive life, they must strike that balance between a healthy diet and exercise.

So, is your organization going to be fit or fat?

And next time someone in your organization says that innovation isn’t important, or that they can’t focus on it right now, ask them if they think exercise is important, then remind them that innovation like exercise is how we reinvigorate our organizations and keep them vibrant and alive, and go find yourself a carrot stick.

Keep innovating!

Image credit: fitinafatworld.wordpress.com

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Will Health Sensors Make iWatch the Must Have Wearable?

iWatch Concept with Health SensorsBack in the 1990’s NBC referred to Thursday night as must watch television, and when it comes to making the transformation from invention to innovation, an innovation often needs a ‘Must Have’ feature.

So, with rumors swirling about the potential introduction today of an Apple iWatch, will Health Sensors make the iWatch a ‘Must Have’ or a ‘Must Wear’?

Will the iWatch do to the Fitbit and Nike Fuelband what the iPhone did to the Flip video camera?

If so, it will be yet another example of how it is more important to build a product or service that moves people. Move them not in a spiritual way (although creating something akin to a spiritual experience can help), but in an emotional way where the product or service (through value creation, value access, and value translation) provides enough ‘Must Have’ (or at least ‘Must Try’) to move people to abandon their existing solution (even if it is the ‘Do Nothing’ solution) to try and ultimately adopt your new solution in large numbers.

Moving people in this way is what moves your product or service from being an invention, to being an innovation.

Will the purported ten sensors of the iWatch provide enough entertainment, functionality, and actionable information to make the iWatch a ‘Must Wear’, make it a device that you won’t want to take it off?

If Apple can pull that off, then they will have a huge hit on their hands.

Are they too early like Samsung?

Have they seeded an ecosystem to grow after the launch of the iWatch?

After all it was the ecosystem created around the App Store that turned the iPhone into the market leader, it was the ecosystem created around the iTunes Store (and a Windows version of the software to access it) that turned the iPod into the market leader.

Or is it too early for Apple to launch an iWatch?

What ten sensors would make an iWatch a ‘Must Wear’?

  1. Accelerometer
  2. Pulse monitor
  3. NFC
  4. Blood pressure monitor?
  5. Temperature sensor?
  6. Barometric pressure sensor?
  7. ?
  8. ?
  9. ?
  10. ?

I guess we’ll find out next year.

Image Credit: techradar


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Your Chance to Help Overworked Entrepreneurs

Your Chance to Help Overworked Entrepreneurs

Life for a busy entrepreneur regular working 60 hours a week can lead to a struggle with maintaining a healthy weight. You may find that you are eating out for convenience and getting to the gym very infrequently (if at all). This lifestyle may have been fine through your twenties and early thirties, but after 35, it gets difficult to keep active and you might find those few extra pounds you’ve put on every year are really starting to add up.

Have you had similar struggles?

If you have a way to help motivate overworked entrepreneurs to lay off the takeout and introduce more physical activity into their busy lives, we at Premera would love to hear about it.

Simply post your idea to Premera’s Facebook or Twitter page using the hashtag #IGNITEchange, or as a comment to their stories. You are then automatically entered into a drawing to win a $200 Amazon gift card. Best of all, you have the chance to impact a real person’s life. There will be four chances to win, once every week from now until September 8, 2014 (terms and conditions link expired).

Have a true game-changing idea that will spark families to make lasting, realistic improvements to their health?

Premera is rewarding that type of innovation as well through Premera’s Innovate to Motivate challenge (link expired), which offers a grand prize of $5,000!


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Your Chance to Help Working Professionals

Your Chance to Help Working ProfessionalsToday life in our college years feels somehow more manageable than the hectic pace of the working professional. Somehow it feels like it was easier then to eat reasonably well and to stay in good shape. Recent college graduates feel the pressure to build a strong foundation for a career and a social life, then add in responsibilities like car payments, pets, rent, and student loan debt, and it’s no wonder many working professionals find a focus on a healthy lifestyle often comes last.

With time short, stress high, and energy running low after work, it is often easier to grab a burger or pizza than to make a kale salad, and skip the gym in favor of the siren’s song of Netflix and the couch.

Are you struggling with a similar issue or is this sounding like the problems of a younger you?

Then here is your chance to help working professionals everywhere!
(and possibly win some cash at the same time)

Simply post your idea to Premera’s Facebook or Twitter page using the hashtag #IGNITEchange, or as a comment to their stories. You are then automatically entered into a drawing to win a $200 Amazon gift card. Best of all, you have the chance to impact a real person’s life. There will be four chances to win, once every week from now until September 8, 2014 (terms and conditions link expired).

Have a true game-changing idea that will spark families to make lasting, realistic improvements to their health?

Premera is rewarding that type of innovation as well through Premera’s Innovate to Motivate challenge (link expired), which offers a grand prize of $5,000!


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Your Chance to Help Middle-Age Guys (and Gals) Get Fit

Your Chance to Help Middle-Age Guys (and Gals) Get FitHere is your chance to help every middle-aged guy (or gal) who’s struggling with the inevitable progression of age. What used to be easy isn’t anymore!

Maybe you (or a friend) used to be a big runner and counted on running to keep weight down and stay active, but lately the motivation to run has waned, and as as a one-trick pony who’s never developed other ways to get regular exercise, with persistent plantar fasciitis that makes anything longer than a one mile walk moderately painful, the weight is starting to accumulate.

How do you re-energize what formerly were healthy eating and workout routines to accommodate the realities of middle age?

Any ideas for new forms of exercise, for establishing new routines that are realistic for an 8 to 6 office worker?

Premera would love to hear your ideas on a middle age makeover.

Simply post your idea to Premera’s Facebook or Twitter page using the hashtag #IGNITEchange, or as a comment to their stories. You are then automatically entered into a drawing to win a $200 Amazon gift card. Best of all, you have the chance to impact a real person’s life. There will be four chances to win, once every week from now until September 8, 2014 (terms and conditions link expired).

Have a true game-changing idea that will spark families to make lasting, realistic improvements to their health?

Premera is rewarding that type of innovation as well through Premera’s Innovate to Motivate challenge (link expired), which offers a grand prize of $5,000!


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Your Chance to Help Working Moms (and Dads)

Help Working MomsWorking Moms (and Dads) struggle to get a healthy meal on the table for their family every night during the week without resorting to fast food (or any other fast, but unhealthy alternatives).

If you have an idea to help working mothers (and fathers) bring healthy creativity to their weeknight meals we at Premera would love to hear it.

Simply post your idea to Premera’s Facebook or Twitter page using the hashtag #IGNITEchange, or as a comment to their stories. You are then automatically entered into a drawing to win a $200 Amazon gift card. Best of all, you have the chance to impact a real person’s life. There will be four chances to win, once every week from now until September 8, 2014 (terms and conditions link expired).

Have a true game-changing idea that will spark families to make lasting, realistic improvements to their health?

Premera is rewarding that type of innovation as well through Premera’s Innovate to Motivate challenge (link expired), which offers a grand prize of $5,000!


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Looking at Healthcare Innovation from the Inside Out

Taking a Swing at Healthcare InnovationAfter working for the last decade helping organizations from the OUTSIDE IN:

  • Build innovative marketing strategies
  • Manage multiple, simultaneous, cross-functional business projects
  • Optimize complex processes
  • Create an enterprise-wide innovation-focus

I thought it was time to flip things around and go native, and work with an outstanding organization to make some of these things happen from the INSIDE OUT.

I thought it was also time to dig deeper into an industry, get my hands dirty, and really come to know a particular vertical. And what could be more interesting in this time of rapidly escalating costs and innovation than the healthcare industry?

[Especially with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) going into force here in the USA]

It is with all of this in mind that I am happy to announce that I have taken an internal consulting position with Premera, one of the largest health plans in the Pacific Northwest.

Premera serves 1.5 million people—from individuals and families to Fortune 100 employer groups. Premera’s mission is to provide peace of mind to their customers about their healthcare.

As a result of joining up with Premera, I must also announce for this post and all future posts that the views here (and elsewhere) are mine and mine alone, and do not in any way represent the views of Premera.

This isn’t the end of my publishing here on BradenKelley.com or on Innovation Excellence (now Disruptor League) or the other places that I contribute. In my spare time I will still be writing, and doing the occasional innovation keynote or workshop in various places around the globe.

So, please keep in touch, and stay tuned for more to come!


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Food Innovation Sighting – Probiotic Chocolate

Food Innovation Sighting - Probiotic Chocolate

I came across the inspiration for this latest food innovation sighting through a London Business School announcement of their upcoming TELL Series speakers, and noticing that Nancy Cruickshank, co-Founder of MyShowcase would be speaking on May 21, 2014.

Clicking over to the web site, I noticed that one of the highlighted products was Ohso Probiotic Chocolate which Andrew Marten brands as a healthy chocolate.

“Ohso Probiotic Chocolate is, quite frankly, the best invention since sliced bread. A delicious dark Belgian chocolate, it contains over a billion friendly bacteria per mini bar. If you love dark chocolate, you will love Ohso. And it loves you back, because as well as tasting divine it promotes your wellbeing via your gut.”

Apparently chocolate helps probiotics survive the journey to the gut where they can do some good and potentially help irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers.

Who knew?

So, here’s the question…

Innovation or not?


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