IDEAS CLUB ( BENDIGO ) · digital video content for individuals; produces corpo-rate videos for advertising, promotional videos, music videos, training packages and a variety of special

The Inventors Association of Australia (Victoria) 30 Reids Lane Warranwood Vic 3134 HOTLINE: Ph 0421 767 790 . Web: www.inventorvic.com.au Email: [email protected]

Wed 1st February 6.30 pm

45Miller Crescent Mount Waverley

Member Competition

Marcus McLeod Smart phone crane

Patent Tutorial

TBA

Our 2011 Winner

IDEAS CLUB ( BENDIGO )

From the President

Well what a year we’ve all had and what a way to finish off our most busy and eventful year but with a Christmas celebration dinner! It was made even better with the attendance of Buzz. It was wonderful to have Buzz looking so well and able to attend our Christmas celebra-tion dinner with us all. Hopefully Problem Cor-ner will be back in 2012. It was also wonderful to have our Bendigo con-tingent with us from the Ideas Club. Ron and Ray were able to attend the Bendigo Ideas Club Christmas party as rep-resentatives of the IAA

Len has given us a newsy item about their evening and we can read about this a bit later in the newsletter. There was such a buzz in the air (pardon the pun) when Debbie made her welcome address prior to announcing dinner was served. David Husband was asked to help with the announcements for the evening. David asked if everyone present was get-ting ‘something’ out of the association and was the association meeting their needs? There was unani-mous agreement and this result set the scene for a great night together. The committee started planning the Christmas celebration

dinner in September and chose to book Golden Roast once again, providing our members, their partners and visitors with a delicious two course meal with generous servings of meat, vegetables and salads. The deserts were delicious also. I say gener-ous servings because we had 54 acceptances for the dinner and we actually served 70 guests. Frank needed to go and buy some extra plates and cutlery be-cause we didn’t have enough table ware. We were having a ‘few kittens’ in the background and Isabelle felt overwhelmed with unex-pected names being added to her list. Isabelle did a great job with her given task and even balanced the till.

Well done Isabelle! I think Ron was very pleased with her help! Gosh, one can laugh later but we were a little panicky I can tell you. Next year we will need to take a deposit from the members so we can actu-ally relax! Everything worked out in the end, espe-cially with the extra help from Frank & Chris Kirby, our newest committee member.

Frank organised a very large beautiful cake to compli-ment the desert and coffee. Good food, wine, friend-ships and a great venue all played their part ensuring our Christmas celebration dinner was a fantastic eve-ning. The committee all worked very hard to ensure the evening was successful and I would like to take this opportunity and thank the committee for all of-fered help not only during the year but especially the hard work on the evening. We are looking forward to an even better 2012. Well done and thank you IAA Vic committee!

1st prize was awarded to Peter O’Shannessy and his Dust Shroud and he received a cheque for $200 and the perpetual trophy. He was absolutely delighted especially as he has never won a thing in his life. 2nd prize went to Bill Cooper for his safely ladder and he received a cheque for $100 and 3rd prize went to An-tony Marlborough for his Weepguard product receiv-ing a cheque for $50. An honorary mention was given to both Jack Kerin and his Motus Board game and Jenny Best for her invention ‘Your Entertainer’.

IAA Vic Members Competition

John Goldman was our camera man for the evening and videoed the inventions/innovations that were on display. There were a couple of members that were unable to attend so a description of their prototype/product was placed in their space on their behalf. Each invention or innovation was given a number. The exhibition was a great talking piece during the course of the evening and voting took place after din-ner. Isabelle and one of her girl friends did a great job running around (they changed their shoes) distribut-ing pens and voting slips on each of the tables for eve-ryone to vote in order of their preference. Everyone really got into the swing of viewing the exhibition. Crowds were mulling over each exhibition and gave genuine consideration to the inventions. David and Isabelle collected the votes and collated the results ready for the announcements.

After dinner, we started the presentation segment with the door prizes. Everyone was given a raffle ticket as they entered the venue and Buzz was called upon to choose a name from the voting box announcing the winners of the door prizes. A cordless drill and a board game called ‘Squatter’ invented by Bob Lloyd were the two door prizes. Bob visited us earlier in the year and donated a game especially for the Christmas celebration evening. Thank you Bob! The winners were thrilled with their prizes. Raffles are great fun. Put your thinking caps on for even better door prizes for next year members! Can anyone donate a prize??

Frank introduced the competitors for the inaugural member’s competition and Debbie handed out a cer-tificate of participation to each of them. Therese Cataldo, Jenny Best, Rob Wallace, Patrick Yii, Frank Bishop, Peter O’Shannessy, Anthony Marlborough, Jack Kerin, Bill Cooper, Norm Ladson, Len Williams and Rosa Nathan.

Frank designed and made the Perpetual Trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the competition each year. Frank has done a wonderful job and has pro-duced a very fine trophy. Frank will have the name of the winner engraved on the trophy each year. We will kick off 2012 with one name engraved! I believe we have a couple of competitors already booked in for this year’s competition.

Gary Hegedus Award

Gary Hegedus Productions is an independent film making company that is owned and operated by Gary. Gary Hegedus Productions provides a large range of digital video content for individuals; produces corpo-rate videos for advertising, promotional videos, music videos, training packages and a variety of special films including short films and documentaries. Gary is the IAA Vic’s first sponsor and he has kindly donated a video presentation as an ‘Encouragement Award’ for the inventor that he considers ‘ready for market’ as a marketing tool for their product.

This year’s award was given to Jenny Best for her in-vention, ‘Your Entertainer’. Jenny was thoroughly surprised and totally delighted with her prize and we wish her well in the coming year with the professional marketing of her product that will be given through Gary’s expertise and generosity. Thank you Gary for your generous sponsorship! Please contact Gary for any information for the latest in video tech-nology and check out his website www.ghproductions.com.au

Remember: Place your DVD order of December’s meeting by contacting either Debbie or Ray by phone or email. You can collect it at the next IAA Vic meet-ing. Cost: $10.

YIA - Young Inventors Association

The sponsor of the Young Inventors Association was Mrs. Kathy Pavlou; manager from Westpac Bank Ringwood branch. Kathy was unable to attend our Christmas celebration dinner as our special guest due to her new commitments at the branch she now works with.

Isabelle gave a brief overview of the program.

“Hey everyone,

Because Kathy is on holidays, mum has asked me, as the representative of the Young Inventors to give you an update on what happened with the ‘Innovation in our Schools’ program that we launched this year at Kalinda Primary School and Eastwood Primary School. For those of you who don’t know, the ‘Innovations in our Schools’ program was a mathe-matics program designed to teach grade five and six students maths in a fun and hands on way.

It was a program designed to run for 8 months and the activities were re-usable so that they could revise for the other 3 or so months of the year. Now, that you have all been refreshed on what the program was about I can now tell you that it was very suc-cessful. Both Kalinda and Eastwood loved the program and assured us that they were going to use it again next year. The teacher’s commented that the down side was that each class room (stream) would love to have had a set confirming the value of the pro-gram. What a down side! There are 3 streams of grade 5 & 6 in each school. The student’s enjoyment and learning from the pro-gram was evident by the comments of the students to the teachers. They loved it! We could not have hoped for a better outcome for this program and are very happy that we could help some kids feel more enthusiastic and confident in the subject of maths.” said Isabelle. Thank you, Isabelle.

Unfortunately, Kathy has moved branches from Ringwood to Chirnside Park and is not able to support the program this year. We wish her well in her managerial position and thank her for her support of the Young Inventors Association for 2009-2011 and her friendship with the IAA Vic. Thank you, Kathy! We will miss you. The new financial year is almost upon us, so if there is any person/s or businesses willing to consider supporting the program please contact Ray or Debbie for further information.

On behalf of the committee, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the sub- committee for all their hard work in producing this program from its inception to final program. Thank you and well done!

IDEAS Club Christmas breakup 2011

Was a great night to top off a great year, attended by 15 members and family.

It was good to see Ray and Ron from the IAA, again.

It was a bit cool on the rooftop this time, after a quick bite to eat ,we all went

downstairs to Graeme’s apartment to continue the merriment.

A brief report from Brian follows:

Technical chatter and less sophisticated social banter wafted out across the

Bendigo skyline from the heights of the Whirakee Restaurant last night, from

guests at the Bendigo Ideas Club Christmas party. Members mixed with friends

and family from as far away as Maryborough and Melbourne in a mood of

good cheer.

A highlight of the night for me was President Len's presentation to Graeme

Witney of Steve Job's biography. This was in recognition of Graeme’s support

for the club by hosting its regular meetings and events in his centrally located

hightop home above the Whirakee. Graeme’s cheeky response was he only did

it to save himself the trouble of travelling elsewhere! Graeme also paid

homage to Len's contribution to the club’s ongoing success through his diligent

networking and informative e-mails among the membership.

After a typical Aussie buffet of cold chicken and salad, the rooftop crowd gave

in to the cooler evening breezes and retired to Graeme’s lower living quarters.

The subtle blend of personal and professional conversation continued and was

supported by more food in the form of Christmas cake, chocolates and an

ongoing supply of wine and beer. Ray and Ron from the IAA offered open

advice to all on everything from provisional patents to how he had been trying

to invent the "perfect woman" and others exchanged their insights on things

both personal and mechanical. From what I hear, the conversations continued

on until late in the evening. It was a wonderful evening and a good sign of the

conviviality that lies at the core of the Bendigo Ideas club membership. 2012?

It sounds like a great idea!

Here are a couple of photos.

Shane’s son checking out Risper

the robot

A view from the Whirakee roof before

it got too cold.

Think tank in session and plenty of

bull dust too

Polymer Traps CO2 for Release on Demand (Jan-09-12 A newly developed polymer could be used to trap and remove CO2 from cars, factories, and even the open air. Developed by Alain Goeppert, G. K. Surya Prakash, George A. Olah and friends, the process involves a filter con-taining polyethylenimine, which not only traps the CO2, but also allows it to be easily released for use in industry. The polymer is common and inexpensive, and the filter can be reused many times without a decrease in efficiency. Applications include tailpipes, smokestacks, and possibly air purification systems.

Scientists Turn Cotton Thread into Electronic Transistors, Wearable Turn Cotton Thread into Electronic Transistors, Wearable Cclothes computers on the Way

Wearable computers just moved a stitch closer to reality with the development of cotton fiber electric circuits and tran-sistors. An international team of scientists from the United States, Italy and France have rendered cotton into field-effect transistors and electromechanical transistors by coating the threads with a mixture of materials. The new high-tech cotton yarn is in effect a flexible textile semiconductor, so t-shirts that double as computers could be right around the corner

Each cotton fiber is coated with a mix of gold nanoparticles, followed by a polymer and waterproof glycol coat. The re-sulting thread can be sewn, woven and bent into flexible clothing and fabrics. The coating process is not much more complicated than standard dyeing processes, and it yields flexible threads with elasticity.

This conducting yarn creates exciting new possibilities for computerized clothing. Rather than implanting garments with bulky chips or printed circuits, the entire fabric would be made up of one massive network of interconnections.

The thread could also be used to make up a bevy of safety– focused garments that detect radiation, toxic substances, and air pollution – these clothes could be used in disaster situations as part of standard monitoring equipment. The health-care industry could also benefit from the yarn by creating shirts that monitor heart beats, blood pressure, and other functions. Personal devices could also become completely integrated into clothing – imagine if your jacket was also a GPS system, a music source and smart phone?

The cotton conductor’s development is just the first step in a long process of perfecting the technology, but it is an excit-ing step towards interactive clothings that goes beyond keeping us warm.

New Holland presents the first NH2™ hydrogen powered tractor ready to go into service on a farm

• Double the power and torque, increased operating autonomy • New features, optimum performance, zero emissions • In service at ‘La Bellotta’ in Italy, the first Energy Independent Farm, from summer 2012 New Holland Agriculture reaffirms its role as Clean Energy Leader by announcing the release of the new hydrogen-powered NH2™ tractor, which will have its world preview at the Agritechnica show in Hanover (13 – 19 November 2011). “The newNH2™ has evolved from the concept that won the Gold Innovation Medal at SIMA 2009. It was developed in collaboration with CRF”, said Riccardo Morselli, Innovation Product Development, “a process that has involved equip-ping the new machine with all of the features required to ensure it will deliver the kind of performance associated with a conventional diesel tractor, both in the field and on the road”. Double the power and torque, increased operating autonomy Derived from the New Holland T6.140 production model, the new tractor will operate all the implements required for different seasonal operations: soil preparation, seeding, baling, transport, and front loader applications. Compared to the first NH2™, the new model has fuel cells that deliver double the power, increased from 50 to 100kW, as there are now three stacks developing a total of 384 units (the first model had two stacks providing a total 256 units). The number of on-board electric motors remains the same, one for traction and one to operate the PTO and auxiliary circuits, but their rated power and torque are doubled. Each of the new electric motors has a power output of 100kW, with continuous torque of 950Nm and maximum torque of 1,200Nm. Top crankshaft speed is 3000 rpm, and efficiency at maximum power output is a staggering 96%. Naturally enough, to keep the increased number of fuel cells in operation and ensure the tractor can keep working for longer (up to three hours, depending on the load); a bigger hydrogen tank has been installed. The tank of the new NH2™ can hold a generous 8.2 kg of hydrogen at a pressure of 350 bar, opposed to 2.4 kg for the previous model. New features, optimum performance, zero emissions Other new features include a 12kWh, 300V battery, with peak power output of 50kW, the new Continuously Variable Transmission, replacing the conventional manual gearbox, a suspended front axle, and the inclusion of front loader mounting points as standard. Performance levels of the new NH2™™ are more than equal to those of a tractor similar size with a conventional en-gine. However, it offers one enormous advantage: the tractor produces zero harmful exhaust emissions, only heat and water vapour. With a top speed of 50kph, pulling power comparable to that of a standard 120 hp diesel tractor, and a hydraulic sys-tem that delivers a maximum of 113 l/min (the same as that of the T6.140 model from which it derives), the new hydro-gen-powered NH2™ is a genuine farm tractor, comprehensively equipped and ready to work. In service at ‘La Bellotta’ in Italy, the first Energy Independent Farm, from summer 2012 The operational début of the new NH2™ is scheduled for summer 2012, on the La Bellotta farm in Venaria, near Turin, New Holland's first Energy Independent Farm. This concept centres on the ability of farms to produce electrical energy from natural sources that have a low environmental impact, and to store it conveniently in the form of hydrogen for subsequent reuse. The project, initiated by New Holland and implemented in collaboration with a consortium of 13 partners including API-COM, CNR, CRF, Elasis, ENEA, Envi-Park, Ferrari Costruzioni Meccaniche, Roter Italia, Sapio Verderone, Tonutti and Zefiro, is partly funded by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development. As regards the actual production of hydrogen, three methods are being evaluated. The first is the electrolysis of water, its decompositon into oxygen and hydrogen, using electrical energy produced by a photovoltaic system already installed on the farm. The second method is that of small scale , steam reforming natural gas; should this prove practically feasible and eco-nomically viable, it would be possible to use the methane produced by the digesters of the one MegaWatt biogas gen-erator that has been in operation at La Bellotta for over a year. The third method of producing hydrogen, and the most innovative of all, is that of exploiting the dark anaerobic fer-mentation of biomass: a biological process generating a blend of gases that contains a significant proportion of hydro-gen. This method will also be evaluated in terms of feasibility, costs and benefits. A hydrogen storage tank will be installed on-site, connected to the compressor at a special filling station, so that the NH2™ can operate and refuel on the farm just like a conventional tractor.

2012 FOCUS In Australia, invention and innovation have to confront the inadequacy, or even absence, of specific policies in almost all countries. This can be seen in the low level of resources allocated to research and development and the lack of structures to promote the results of research and development and invention. Nevertheless, Australian researchers and inventors remain active.

In Australia, many inventors and researchers have developed technology and products adapted to local conditions that meet the needs of the population in Australia and elsewhere. These inventions usually concern systems for production, conservation and processing (machinery, mills, presses, etc.) in various agricultural, agro-industrial and medico-pharmaceutical sectors. Despite their modest means, some inventors have gone on to exploit their inventions. They manufacture them on a small or semi-industrial scale. If we really want to encourage invention and innovation, we must first focus on this special creative being. In order to do this, there must be a policy to promote invention and innovation that takes account of the inventor as the pivotal element and there must be synergy between action by government bodies and by inventors' groups and associations. It is in this way that society will derive the greatest benefit from inventive activity.

A study of the situation of research and inventions: The predominant role played by research in economic and social development; the problems hampering the development of research, invention and technological innovation, in particular, lack of motivation; absence of a policy on inventions; lack of esteem for researchers and their inventions. In order to overcome these difficulties and to ensure healthy imitation of inventors in our country, there needs to be an effective policy for the promotion of inventive activity and action by government bodies needs to be backed up by that of inventors' associations. To promote research, invention and technological innovation in Australia, there is a need to defend the material and moral interests of researchers and inventors. To reach these objectives, the Association should adopt the following strategies: to provide researchers, decision-makers and beneficiaries with regular information on the general situation of research, invention and technological innovation, particularly in the following areas: human resources; structures and their potential; priority areas; major results achieved.

To make available to researchers, inventors and innovators, free of charge, all information on the state of science and technology in their respective fields. By providing researchers and inventors with the technical and scientific information to be found in patent documents so as to allow them to evaluate the technical and legal levels of their invention. The preparation of research reports on the state of the art in given fields by the national and international institutions with which it cooperates; helping to inform inventors and promote awareness among them through the regular organization of seminars and visits to enterprises; assistance to inventors in preparing and filing their patent applications; helping inventors to benefit from one free patent. Making researchers and their work better known, using appropriate means such as organizing invention and innovation exhibitions and facilitating participation in international conferences and exhibitions on inventions: proposing annual prices for research, invention and technological innovation: designating a National Research, Invention and Technological Innovation Day. PROMOTION Encouraging healthy imitation of researchers and inventors by establishing a National Fund for Research, Invention and Technological Innovation; awarding prizes and titles to researchers; inciting industrialists to use the results of scientific and technological research; encouraging the inventive spirit of school children and students by organizing competitions in schools and universities.

FUTURE ACTION Future action by the Inventor Association for the Promotion of Research, Invention and Technological Innovation will mainly focus on encouraging the Government to adopt energetic policies to promote inventive activity such as the following including the exploitation of an invention or research findings in the Investment Code; achieving major priority objectives in the socio-economic field which will have a beneficial impact on invention and innovation; establishing mechanisms, ways and means to assist inventors with a view to the development and industrial exploitation of their inventions; creating a National Fund for the Promotion of Research, Invention and Innovation. In addition the creation of small and medium innovative enterprises on the one hand and to enhance the performance of existing enterprises on the other by making available inventions and innovations that have already reached a certain level of exploitation. CONCLUSION Australian inventors have a vital role to play in creating technology and properly adapted local innovations which will help to resolve the specific problems facing the population. Through inventors, we shall reach the important goal of producing the consumer goods our country needs locally and at competitive prices. As a result of their determination, it will be possible for Australia to end its technological imitation and bequeath a valuable treasure to future generations. The economic and social development of a country necessitates creative and innovative capacity as well as mastery of technology. These are inescapable requirements if the living standards of the people are to be raised and their deep-rooted hopes are to be met, while at the same time respecting their cultural identity.

Achievement of this goal implies that governments, economic agents and our development partners give inventors the technical and financial assistance essential to put into practice their ingenious ideas.

Glasses For Reading In Bed (England, 1936)

Hamblin glasses. A pair of spectacles especially designed for reading in bed.

Early GPS (1932)

Sort of Tom Tom, early trip master. This works using rolling key map. The map passes the screen in a tempo that depends on the speed of the car.

FINGER BRUSH This one looks like a cross between a toothbrush and a thimble. Can you imagine whipping this thing out to do a post-meal brush up?

CAT DUSTER Too lazy to do housework? Strap these dusting mittens on your cat, give it some catnip and watch your house instantly be cleaned! I’m sure my cat would LOVE this!

TRAINING WHEELS FOR HIGH HEELS If I were to ever wear high heels… I would need these. They kind of make think of those ‘wheelie’ shoes… but for adults.