PUSH

• 2010-07-08

  The Roller Coaster Project

  We had a very fun experience recently that we’d like to share. Banks, a student at a nearby elementary school, came over to our office to talk about roller coasters. He was doing a special project for school about simple machines, and wanted to ask us a few questions.

  We really enjoyed his visit - and the awesome thank you note he sent. Later, his awesome teacher Susan, passed this video along of his project. Make sure to take note of the PUSH shout out beginning at 1:08 in the video, which is a reference to the Make Your Own Model of Linear Motion project, and a general prototyping policy here at PUSH.

  It was wonderful to see the finished project. Great job, Banks!

  /FP

• 2010-06-23

  Tech in the Works - update

  

  

  We are making good progress on our Tech in the Works grant.  The initial iPad app development has been completed.  The first version is very specific - it only has words for snack time at Auburn’s Autism camp.  I had a chance to go down and see the students in action.  The best part of the trip was to see the children using the app to communicate - it works!

  The app uses a real recording of a child’s voice for all of the audio, which adds a very nice human touch to the sound.  We are looking forward to more progress and helping more children have great communication experiences at snack time.

  /FP

• 2010-05-12

  2010 Tech in the Works Award

  We are proud to announce that a joint effort between Auburn University and PUSH has been awarded a 2010 Tech in the Works grant from the National Center for Technology Innovation.  There were just a few collaborations chosen for the grant, and we are honored to be a part of this year’s awards.

  The goal of the project is to improve social and communication skills of young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) utilizing the Apple iPad.  We will be working with children at Auburn University’s Autism Center using two, soon to be designed, iPad apps. One will focus on improving communication through touchable recorded sound bites, the other on improving social interactions though video storytelling.

  One great thing about the collaboration with Scott Renner, Coordinator of Assistive Technology at Auburn University, is that we will be be able to quickly get feedback and research data from the AU Autism Center, which means the children will have an immediate and effective role in the development of the iPad apps. 

  /FP

• 2010-05-10

  Oil Spill Fix

  This idea is driven by the supreme urgency of getting some type of fix in place immediately.  The basic idea is to construct a large parachute-type membrane (kevlar).  Scale could range is size from 20’ to 100’+ in diameter.  The rim of the chute would be constructed like a hollow donut that could be filled selectively with air or ballast.  Attached to the center of the chute is a large tube.  Large vents on either side of the tube could be drawn open to allow the methane hydrate to escape during installation and then closed once the chute is secured in place.  The rim could be selective tightened/cinched like a lasso once it was on target.

  

  A.  The chute is lowered over the existing failed blow out preventer and ruptured pipes (which potentially would be trimmed off by the remotely operated underwater vehicles) currently being operated on site.  The size the of the rim could cover a larger area and eliminate the need to drop precisely on top of key structures.

  

  B.  The inflatable rim is carefully evacuated and replaced with ballast to create a controlled fall around the perimeter of the leak site.  

  

  C.  The rim is pumped full of concrete, the chute collapses and stabilizes around the current blowout structure (secured by tethers from the ROVs.  (A secondary rigid pipe could be inserted through the large tube and into individual pipes/ruptured blowout structure. The chute provides stability and guidance for secondary internal structure attachments.)

  The tube/pipe then pumps out the the fluid at the rate of flow - currently estimated at 2 to 3 gallons/second (200,000 gallons/day)

  As soon as a more permanent solution is ready, it is lowered on top of the chute and/or the chute is quickly cut away - with no impediment to future construction.  

  If the above scenario fails, the chute could be used as a form to direct a controlled pour of some form or chemical seal or concrete to cap the existing leak.

• 2010-03-22

  Opening Night

  

  

  

  

  “Design for People,” an exhibit about PUSH and industrial design had a great turn out opening night at the UAB visual arts gallery.  Some of PUSH’s projects were broken down visually into the actual process that we go through to get to a final design solution.  The unglamorous was paired with the glossy and polished to illustrate the journey that is industrial design.   

  The exhibit is up until April 9th and includes the latest work PUSH has done for UAB Health Systems.  The first prototype of a new transport chair still under development is on display.  Stop by and look around!

• 2010-03-05

  Design = Art

  UAB Arts Gallery is having a show next week all about PUSH!  We are very excited and humbled to show our design process to our city.  Photos of the opening night will be up soon.  Hope you can make it!

• 2009-12-08

  Extreme Sports Statistical Device

  

  

  If you’ve ever played team sports, you might remember that individual sitting on the bench beside the coach called the statistician.  While everyone else was busy playing as hard as they could, the statistician was recording everything everyone did.   When bragging to your friends about how many rebounds you pulled down in the thick of the playoffs, it was crucial that someone was actually counting while you were playing.

  Ripxx is like everyone’s personal pocket sized statistician.  So long as your sport involves moving fast, jumping high, or twisting around in the air, you can now accurately brag to your friends what went down on the ski slopes or wherever you do your extreme sports.

  PUSH enjoyed designing the enclosure to this outdoor extreme lifestyle product.  We moved fast to meet a very aggressive timeline and designed a tough, skier friendly product.

  Ski Racing Magazine included Ripxx as one of the must-have gadgets of the 2009/10 ski season.

• 2009-12-07

• 2009-10-23

  Jazzing up the Dance Foundation

  

  PUSH had the pleasure of assisting artist Jane Timberlake Cooper design a color facade to a local dance school for children.  Once the artist finalized her direction and intent for the piece PUSH designed the actual structure and oversaw the manufacturing and installation.  Placing eighty nine pieces of laser cut aluminum across three sides of a building intertwined with ten different paint colors was no small task.  PUSH developed a marking system laser cut into each piece to help guide the process.  The end result is an exciting splash of shape and color to a great organization in our community.