More Proof That Solutions Are Out There

Deep down inside, I’ve always believed we can solve all our problems if we’d just work together and innovate.

This week’s Time magazine gives me more hope in that regard, with its section on “The 50 Best Inventions of 2018.”  After a quick reading, here are some that particularly impressed me —

Clothes for every body — the Japanese retailer ZOZOSUIT is offering a black bodysuit covered in white dots, which enables you to 3-D scan your body at home, then order custom-fit clothes with those extremely accurate measurements ( https://zozo.com/us/en/info/suit ).

A more efficient water heater — Heatworks is offering a water heater that sends electric current through the water, thus heating both quickly and only when hot water is needed.  Although the cost is $799, Heatworks claims its device will save a family of four $240 a year ( https://myheatworks.com/products/model-3-water-heater ).

Roofing that fights smog pollution — 3M Company has created granules that break down smog particles when exposed to the sun.  These granules are being added to roofing shingles by Malarkey Roofing, and they’re credited for already reducing an amount of smog equivalent to 100,000 trees ( https://news.3m.com/press-release/company-english/3m-smog-reducing-granules-harness-power-sun-improve-air-quality ).

Keeping produce fresh longer — Rubbermaid has introduced its FreshWorks containers that regulate the flow of oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide, all compounds involved in the ripening of produce.  Plus an elevated design reduces moisture buildup.  As a result, food stays fresher longer ( http://www.rubbermaid.com/en-US/fresh-works ).

A jacket that glows in the dark  (pictured) — Vollebak’s Solar Charged Jacket contains a phosphorescent membrane that absorbs light during the day and releases green light after dark.  It can actually absorb light from almost anything, including a flashlight ( https://www.vollebak.com/product/solar-charged-jacket/ ).

A companion for kids with cancer — AFLAC is distributing  (for free) an animatronic duck to help children being treated for cancer.  The kids can “treat” the duck along with their treatment, and the duck can act out emotions when an “emoji card” is tapped to its chest to encourage the kids to communicate ( https://aflacchildhoodcancer.org/ ).

A suitcase you don’t need to unpack — The Carry-On Closet from Solgaard Design looks like a normal rolling suitcase.  But it contains a flexible set of shelves that can be removed and hung up, eliminating the need for unpacking (https://solgaard.co/products/carry-on-closet?variant=341234581508  ).

3-D printing an end to homelessness — Earlier this year, ICON built a 350-square-foot home in 48 hours using its Vulcan 3-D Printer, which  produces the basic structure of a building from concrete.  The goal is to “print” a 2,000 square-foot home  in 24 hours ( https://www.iconbuild.com/ ).

The entire list can be viewed at http://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2018/?.

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