triz
Investigating the use of TRIZ in Eco- innovation
Jones, E., & Harrison, D
1. Introduction
This paper aims to identify ways in which tools and methodologies from TRIZ might be used in Eco-Innovation and subsequently how TRIZ might be adapted for that specific purpose. Eco-innovation is the process of developing new products, processes or services which provide customer and business value but significantly decrease environmental impact
(James, 1997). Eco-innovation is one of several approaches towards sustainable design.
The authors became interested in TRIZ after identifying some overlap in the philosophies of
TRIZ and sustainable design. Sustainable design is one part of a global movement towards sustainable development which is driven by the realisation that society cannot continue current modes of production and consumption without serious ecological damage. One commonly quoted definition of sustainable development is ‘development which meets the needs of a current generation without compromising the ability of a future generation to meet their needs’ (the Bruntland Commission, 1987). One fundamental concept of TRIZ is that all systems will evolve towards an increased degree of ideality: an ideal system being one that does not exist but its function is delivered (Salamatov, 1999). Innovation following this law of ideality could contribute to sustainable development, through the delivery of the functions without the environmental impacts associated with current systems of production.
First, the authors looked briefly at the overlap between one Eco-Innovation tool (the Ecocompass) and one TRIZ tool (the contradiction matrix). From this part of the study the authors identified one way in which TRIZ might be adapted for use in Eco-Innovation.
TRIZ shows how it is possible to develop useful innovation tools by extracting generic principles from patents. The second approach taken by the authors was to study the patents of environmentally
Jones, E., & Harrison, D
1. Introduction
This paper aims to identify ways in which tools and methodologies from TRIZ might be used in Eco-Innovation and subsequently how TRIZ might be adapted for that specific purpose. Eco-innovation is the process of developing new products, processes or services which provide customer and business value but significantly decrease environmental impact
(James, 1997). Eco-innovation is one of several approaches towards sustainable design.
The authors became interested in TRIZ after identifying some overlap in the philosophies of
TRIZ and sustainable design. Sustainable design is one part of a global movement towards sustainable development which is driven by the realisation that society cannot continue current modes of production and consumption without serious ecological damage. One commonly quoted definition of sustainable development is ‘development which meets the needs of a current generation without compromising the ability of a future generation to meet their needs’ (the Bruntland Commission, 1987). One fundamental concept of TRIZ is that all systems will evolve towards an increased degree of ideality: an ideal system being one that does not exist but its function is delivered (Salamatov, 1999). Innovation following this law of ideality could contribute to sustainable development, through the delivery of the functions without the environmental impacts associated with current systems of production.
First, the authors looked briefly at the overlap between one Eco-Innovation tool (the Ecocompass) and one TRIZ tool (the contradiction matrix). From this part of the study the authors identified one way in which TRIZ might be adapted for use in Eco-Innovation.
TRIZ shows how it is possible to develop useful innovation tools by extracting generic principles from patents. The second approach taken by the authors was to study the patents of environmentally
References: World Commission on Environment and Development. (Personal author: Brundtland, G. H.) ‘Our common future’, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1987. Salamatov, Y., ‘TRIZ: the right solution at the right time’, Insytec B.V., Hattem, the Netherlands, 1999. Meinders, H., ‘ Point of No return, Philips Ecodesign Guidelines’, Philips CEEO, Corporate Environmental & Energy Office, 1999. Brezet, H., et al., ‘PROMISE manual’, Delft University of Technology, TME Institute and TNO product Centre, the Netherlands, 1996. Fussler, C., and James, P., ‘Driving Eco-Innovation: a breakthrough discipline for innovation and sustainability’, London, Pitman Publishing, 1996. Jones E., Harrison D., & McLaren J. 1999. ‘The Product Ideas Tree: A tool for mapping creativity in Ecodesign’, in proceedings: IDATER ‘99, The Design Research Society, Weizsacker, E. von, Lovins, A. and Lovins, L.H., ‘Factor Four: Doubling Wealth- Halving Resource use’, London, Earthscan Publications, 1997. Philips Lighting Europe, ‘Light is Growing like Grass: Environmental Review 2000’, Philips Lighting Support Team Environmental Management, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 2000. Cramer, J., Stevels, A., ‘STRETCH: Strategic Environmental Product Planning with Philips Sound and Vision’, in Journal of Environmental Quality Management, Autumn Issue, 1997, Mann, D., ‘Application of TRIZ tools in a Non-Technical Problem Context’, in TRIZ-journal, August issue, 2000, [http://www.triz-journal.com], accessed August 2000.