Idea generation & brainstorming software tools

brainstormingdss: "The 'Solutions Genie' is a unique, all-in-one corporate brainstorming and idea filtering software application, that caters to an organizations need for continuous quality and process improvement. The Genie addresses these needs by providing a plethora of time proven tools packaged into one powerful, user friendly, software application. The Genie may be used as a tool for process and quality improvement, decision making, strategic planning, risk analysis, and numerous other applications."

Research for automated homebuilding...

Behrokh "Berok" Khoshnevis: "In this process, large-scale parts can be fabricated quickly as compared to other prototyping methods. The chief advantages of the Contour Crafting process over existing technologies are the superior surface finish that is realized and the greatly enhanced speed of fabrication. The success of the technology stems from the automated use of age-old tools normally wielded by hand, combined with conventional robotics and an innovative approach to building three-dimensional objects that allows rapid fabrication times. Actual scale civil structures such as houses may be built by CC. Contour Crafting has been under development under support from National Science Foundation and Office of Naval Research."

Automate this...

CalEarth: "Superadobe (mile-long sandbags and barbed wire construction) and Ceramic Houses (fired in-place adobe structures) are seen as solutions to global deforestation by organizations such as the Turner Foundation and Rex Foundation (Grateful Dead) who have lent their sponsorship along with other organizations to work at Cal-Earth. The United Nations with whom Khalili has built housing prototypes usimg these technologies see these as the answer to affordable housing worldwide and emergency relief housing because of their efficient simplicity. Up to one mile long Tubular Bags. Cal-Earth label. Shipped in compact rolls."

Poop Power....

New Scientist: "The waste you flush down the toilet could one day power the lights in your home. So say researchers at Pennsylvania State University who last week revealed they have developed an electricity generator fuelled by sewage.

Even better, the device breaks down the harmful organic matter as it generates the electricity, so it does the job of a sewage-treatment plant at the same time. Penn State's microbial fuel cell (MFC) harnesses chemical techniques similar to those the body uses to break down food - but diverts the electrons liberated in the reactions to produce electrical energy. "

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I've been assisting the development of sludge drying where municipal wastewater plants can install electrical generation equipment to offset costs, reduce sludge handling and better manage emissions.

Private Sector Road Safety

Roadway Safety Foundation - Private Sector Safety Partnership: "In the United States, almost one-half of all traffic fatalities occur during the dark hours of evening, night, and early morning. However, only one-fourth of all travel takes place during those same hours -- a startling and grave statistic. There are a number of reasons for this disparity, such as intoxicated and fatigued drivers. It is also known that drivers receive much less guidance information at night than during the day. For example, during daylight hours, drivers have a number of visual cues, such as signs, pavement markings, roadside vegetation, guardrails, and textured shoulders, making driving relatively simple. This bounty of visual cues allows drivers to focus less on their proper position on the roadway.
At night, however, this changes drastically. "