Week 3

Further Ideation

To bring us closer to the product we want to develop, we’re making use of more ideation methods to narrow down the ideas.

Method 1: SCAMPER

SCAMPER stands for:

Substitute: substituting a part of the problem for something else

Combine: combining two or more parts of the problem to achieve a different product/process or to enhance synergy

Adapt: Changing a part of the product or problem to better suit its environment

Modify: Altering the product to look or function differently

Put to Other Use: What other uses can the product/problem be applied to?

Eliminate: Removing a part of the problem or product to simplify or make it better-suited for its function

Reverse: What would happen if the product or problem was done in reverse?

SCAMPER is a method that exercises thought questioning. We have to come up with questions to ask ourselves HOW we can bring this product from an idea, into life. 

Using SCAMPER, we have come up with some of these ideas:

Idea	SCAMPER letter used	How SCAMPER is applied
A device that can extract pigment from produce to make ink	Substitution	Substitute usual chemicals used for ink with pigment from plants
A device that can make pulp from produce that can be formed into sheets of paper	Substitution	Substitute the usual tree bark in paper with the discarded produce
Making insulation material out of waste produce	Modify	Modifying the composition of insulating material to make a more eco-friendly insulation material
A device that can blend a produce item with a solvent to make a cheap refrigerant	Combine	Recycled vegetables and a solvent can be combined to make the refrigerant, a whole new purpose for both
A filter made of coconut husks	Substitute	Change the material of the filter

This week, we were tasked to think of creative chemical products that suit the criteria of tackling our problem statement while being cost efficient and eco-friendly. :DD Some examples to be named are;

Asking questions alone wont help solve the problem

This is where we apply our second method of further ideation

Method 2: Feasibility analysis

This method allows us to sieve out ideas quickly by having a specific set of criterias to follow. Mainly:

• Budget
• Project Timeline
• Technical Feasibility
• Operational Feasibility 

Out of these 4, the 2 most mandatory criterias that should be fulfilled are the Budget and Project timeline. Without these 2 being fulfilled, the said project will not be able to advance into the next stage of planning/production. 

To further explain each criteria,

Budget

This is all about the money and finances when it comes to this product. From the start such as consumables, to the intermediate stages like external lab testing, until the end which is transportation. The money that should be used for the products should be kept at a minimum to make it cost efficient and not overpriced.

Project timeline

This shows the timeframe of the production. Such as the time taken for the delivery of chemicals/equipment or license application and how long does this product take to be manufactured. 

Technical and Operational Feasibilities

This criteria focuses on the existence of the proper resources needed to manufacture the chemical product. Whether its materials are finite or not. These criterias should include elements such as the current technology in this 21st century, presence of valid and necessary testing and legalities of certain equipments to operate on the chemical product. This criteria should only be fulfilled ONCE the first 2 criterias are.

After all of the feasibility analysis, to further finalise the materials that we need to create this product, we would have to use the COWS decision matrix method.

what is COWS(moo) decision matrix?

It is a table of criteria with specific point system to rate the best materials suited to create this product.

COWS stands for:

• Criteria
• Options
• Weightages
• Scores

An example of a COWS decision matrix table would be: 

We filled in the empty spaces with the correct input respectively and rate the materials(3 being the best and 1 being the worst). Whichever material got the highest score, is chosen to be used into the chemical product