A method for reusing dishwater, a refrigerator that is cooled by outdoor air and building blocks of demolished material are three of the five inventions that will be patented after the Swedish Energy Agency's Innovation Race in Shanghai.
The other two patent applications concern a computer with a solar cell cover that provides protection from light as well as being able to charge the batteries, and a simple replaceable zip fastener. The participants submitted the patent application for the water collector named ”Grey water collector” in China, and the other patent applications were submitted in Sweden.
"We called the race "Time 2 Innovate" in order to point out that it was high time to be producing more inventions if we are to manage to make adjusts for our climate problems," says the Swedish Energy Agency's Project Manager, Christopher Waldén.
In addition to the five inventions for which patents are now being sought, 14 other innovations were also exhibited, of which two are to be further developed for possible patent applications later.
"It has been a fantastic journey and shows what can actually be achieved in only 72 hours, when one focuses and collects together different competencies and experiences," continues Christopher Waldén.
The two teams of the Innovation Race has participants from both Sweden and China in order to show the benefits of co-operation between the countries. The teams have competed against the clock and against each other.
"You cannot sit and wait for inspiration, but rather reach a result through methodical work," says Professor Kaj Mickos, who designed the concept.
The participants were Håkan Glanton Lutz, Managing Director, Vehiconomics AB, Mattias Karls, Managing Director, Applied Nano Surfaces Sweden AB, Albert Mihranyan, researcher at Uppsala University, Professor Semida Silveira, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Professor Yu Luyan, Shanghai Electronical Automation R&D Institute and Zheng Weng, Engineer, Tekfors. In addition, Anette Persson and Andreas Stubelius of the Swedish Energy Agency also participated.
The teams each received support from their process leaders and designers from Innovation Plant. In the back office, among others, were Maria Malmqvist from IPQ who examined the proposals and a number of employees from the Swedish Trade Council and the Swedish Energy Agency.
