Inaugural Talk

Developing innovations in Electronics and Software using TRIZ

Abstract of the Case Study:

Since the early 2000s the majority of innovations have been developing in electronics and software.

TRIZ as a proven innovative methodology plays its important role in this development. Dr. Oleg Feygenson will present some nuances of applying TRIZ for projects in these industries.

Another topic to be discussed is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and TRIZ. Nowadays, AI techniques have been applied successfully in many areas. The question is “Do we really need TRIZ or any other techniques for enhancing creativity or it can be substituted completely with AI?” In this presentation Dr. Feygenson will try to answer this question.

Product Innovation, Case study 1

Democratization of smart Agricultural implements technology for Indian Farmers through TRIZ-based Systematic Innovation

Abstract of the Case Study:

The Indian Agricultural scene offers a fertile space (pun intended) for technology innovation. Most Indian farmers have small land holdings, adapt traditional agricultural practices and the penetration of technology is low. In the last few years, with a steady movement of people from villages to cities, there is an acute shortage of labor for working in the farm. The time is ripe to bring technology and automation to the farm and empower the farmers. The technology solutions need to be cost-affordable and robust enough to work in rural conditions (like frequent power cuts, patchy internet connectivity etc).

When we look at making the power of digital technology accessible and affordable to the Indian farmer, we have to prepare to overcome certain severe constraints through ingenious ways. For instance, if we want to the farmer to overcome resource constraints like water, power etc, we can think of introducing precision farming technologies that will help the farmer to optimize and precisely control the usage. To achieve precise control, we need to make the tradition agricultural implements smart by adding sensors and IoT. While the deployment of sensors and IoT is very straightforward in an indoor setting like an automated factory, it is quite challenging in an outdoor setting like an agricultural field. The sensors are not only exposed to a harsh environment, they may also interfere with the agricultural process itself. Anybody who has seen the puddling activity in a paddy field will be able to relate to the challenges that we describe here.

There are a wide variety of technical and physical contradictions that prevent the innovator from developing a robust solution. The scalability and affordability challenges are quite intimidating and the innovator is at his / her wit’s end  – the right moment to think of alternative solutions by applying TRIZ Inventive principles. The only way the Agri Innovator can convince the Indian farmers to  adapt these new technologies is by simplifying the user interface – this cannot be achieved by trimming the design used in mature markets – this can be achieved only by an unbiased mind with a strong focus on Ideality (Ideal Final Result IFR).

We will be presenting a systematic innovation framework, based on the TRIZ philosophy, that will help to define the Indian farmer’s problems precisely, create innovative ideas and develop these ideas into scalable and affordable solutions. We will illustrate our approach with a case study that describes our application of TRIZ tools to the development of smart agricultural implements for Indian farmers.

Keynote Talk

Powering the Future of Flight – Reimagining Innovation

Abstract of the Case Study:

From Thomas Alva Edison’s first incandescent light bulb to the latest jet engine brimming with internet-connected sensors and 3D-printed parts, GE has pioneered technologies that have spurred world-transforming changes and improved the lives of billions. Together, these moments trace an arc of innovation that has no parallel—a proven commitment to progress that will help propel a brighter future for the world.
GE Aviation is a world-leading provider of commercial, military and business and general aviation jet and turboprop engines and components as well as avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE and its customers are also working together to unlock new opportunities to grow and deliver more productivity beyond traditional services. With the technology breakthroughs and more, GE Aviation has been inventing the future of flight for 100 years and has been the innovation powerhouse that will continue to propel flight to new heights. Today GE Aviation leads the digital transformation of the aerospace industry and push the electrification of airlines from powering the avionics, electronics and other electrical systems aboard airplanes to the plane’s propulsion system itself. That’s right…an electric engine.

It’s an innovation mindset that has made GE Aviation so successful. Every employee has the ability to configure innovation in GE. Providing a healthy environment where people are able to share their ideas openly and acknowledging these efforts is the best way to cultivate a culture of innovation.

GE’s culture itself is one of the greatest innovations. Today, GE refers to itself as a 125-year-old startup. The startup mentality is the fuel behind the company’s longevity.  The culture of innovation requires listening and learning, regardless of age or title. It gives employees the leeway to take chances, fail, learn, and move quickly in a new direction. It is important for the managers to be comfortable with ambiguity as they take on responsibility.

The talk covers GE Aviation’s heritage of innovation, how GE pioneered the novel architectures and technologies, transformation of aviation industry with next generation propulsion systems and the future of flight.

TRIZ Master Talk

Development of creative and critical thinking skills

Abstract of the Case Study:

Today, we live in a dynamic world. Yet, the education is linear. We force students, on every level, to memorize a whole bunch of information, then we test their memory. People learn by asking questions, we teach how to answer questions. We teach how to solve “closed” type problems; life presents us with “open” type problems. As a result, young people entering into real life are not prepared to succeed or to become productive members of society.

In my short presentation, I will be discussing the problems, associated with the current educational system and methods of overcoming these problems.

Product Innovation, Case study 2

System Level Innovation for strengthening overhead electricity line for a new era of rail transportation

Abstract of the Case Study:

The railway network is the backbone of the Indian transportation system, connecting remote villages and towns with metropolitan cities across the country. Recent government initiatives aim to revamp and modernize the entire network by 2030, and the past couple of years have already brought many changes to the rail system. From a technological perspective, two notable changes are expected to Indian railways: the introduction of electric and solar-powered trains and an increase in the operating speeds of trains from 100 kmph to 160–220 kmph. To support these plans, suitable modifications must be made to the existing infrastructure and components, such as the overhead contact lines and pantograph assemblies. Energy transmission and distribution equipment of traction installation are highly sophisticated, specially for the overhead equipment responsible to feed energy to the running locomotive engines. Since decades, railways has been procuring these devices for western countries to fulfill the infrastructure demand and now, under make in India initiative, Indian railways has floated challenges to the scientist and engineers across the country to conceptualize and device innovative designs under their Expression of interest requirements.

Raychem RPG, a pioneer in innovative energy solutions for various sectors, has a dedicated team working on design and development of innovative make-in-India products that can meet the challenging requirements of the evolving railway network. The team of scientists and researchers trained in TRIZ, have improved the designs of Overhead line equipment such as insulators, auto tensioning devices, modular cantilevers, neutral sections etc. & secured a good number of patents.

TRIZ is imperative during the design phase of product development, in terms of simplifying the complexity of the system, introducing new mechanism and removing redundant components thus making a highly efficient and innovative solutions for OHE lines. At Raychem, a system level approach of TRIZ implementation is defined and implemented for the railway program. The root cause of inefficiency and failure of OHE system were identified at the system level and drilled down to the component and subcomponents levels for individual devices, to come out with innovative, simple & feasible solutions.

With the modifications expected in the Indian railway infrastructure over the next decade, the team at Raychem Innovation Centre is now using TRIZ to continue the development journey for another set of new products for the Indian Railways. In addition to projects in the energy utility and oil & gas sectors, the railway system is now another specialized area for which Raychem RPG will continue to provide innovative solutions with the power of TRIZ.

Product Innovation, Case study 3

TRIZ beyond engineering design

Abstract of the Case Study:

This talk focuses on applications of TRIZ to solve problems related to three areas 1) engineering, 2) technology tasking, 3) personal innovation. TRIZ applications in engineering has become standard for product design. It is interesting to know that thinking in TRIZ dimension will greatly help in task allocation problem to allocate technology tasks to resources, and also of course in personal innovation space. The talk presents few case studies of TRIZ beyond the boundaries of engineering and also presents new areas of research for TRIZ methods.

Product Innovation, Case study 4

Reduction of Hood Leakage at Steel Making Shops at Tata Steel

Abstract of the Case Study:

During steel making process, these hood tubes are subjected to repeated thermal stresses and fatigue by gases which leads to their pre-mature failure either through puncture or rupture of tubes. If the plant continues to run it despite leakages in tubes, the water from tubes will fall in convertor and may lead to explosion which is a major safety hazard. Therefore for any failure in hood tubes leads steelmaking process to be halted and immediate actions are taken to repair the tubes. The repair work of tubes takes 8-10 hours and sometimes even upto 15-16 hours depending on severity of failure. Any breakdown or interruption in LD shops lead to heavy loss in the upstream (loss of hot metal by dumping) as well as in the down-stream (unavailability of raw material for mills). Additionally, there are 7 LD convertors in TSL, and this problem occurs in all the vessels. Hence it utmost important to arrive at a solution as soon as possible

TRIZ Master Talk

Developing Strong IP with TRIZ/DFP

Abstract of the Case Study:

The rapid technological evolution and dynamic, competitive environment of applied research makes strong IP protection of the utmost importance both for large corporations, and startups, and entrepreneurship. However, skills of claim-drafting and mastery of the Patent Law have their limits. The strength of the IP depends on the the the engineering level of the IP more and more as well as the tools that are used for the IP creation. The presentation is focusing on the modern innovative technology of design – DFP, Design for Patentability® in combination with TRIZ., specifically for technological processes and innovative hybridization.

TRIZ and Optimization

From design optimization to Innovation

Abstract of the Case Study:

Optimization is an integral part of Enginering Design.  Many a time in the context of multi parameter optimzation, we encouter challanges that the optimzation can’t be feasible beyond a point becauase of conflicting requirements.

Being a certified DFSS Black Blet and MBB at GE, encountered situations where design optimization becomes a starting point for innovation. 

For example, in an aircraft, weight reduction is always a need. the conflicting parameters can be strength or natural frequency. What we can do with TRIZ when we can’t optmize?

Further, you may encounter situations where the transfer function needs to be a global minima and also at local maxima based on the paramater conditions. TRIZ gives directions to innovate and develop novel solutions from here.