A framework to identify applications for a technical innovation

Abstract

In a biomechanical engineering study, a pressure-activated, colour-changing, and flexible material has been developed, stemming from an initial problem application. However, a technical innovation can transcend its original intent, thereby gaining value for engineers or technical managers. The problem is that there is a lack of guidance in retrieving alternative applications, and research into such problem-finding methods is scarce and dispersed across various groups. Through an innovative approach to the literature review, valuable tools and techniques have been identified within relevant articles, categorisable into qualitative, quantitative, and hybrid approaches. These approaches are delineated across four conceived steps: (1) Define the technological characteristics, (2) Generalise the function of the technology, (3) Link the generalised functions to abstract problem applications, and (4) Choose an application. Furthermore, connections have been established among the different approaches, enabling multiple paths for executing these four steps. This research presents the design of a framework that showcases multiple problem-finding processes suited to different situations. The qualitative component of this framework has been validated by implementing these steps for the pressure-activated, colour-changing and flexible material and retrieving its initial purpose and other feasible and innovative applications.