40 inventive principles / #30
#30 Flexible shells and thin films
What it says
- Replace solid structures with flexible shells or thin films.
- Isolate an object from its surroundings with a thin film.
Examples
- Software
- A thin adapter layer around a legacy system.
- Business
- A light brand shell around a white-label product.
- Engineering
- Shrink wrap; a thin protective coating.
- Everyday life
- Cling film over a bowl.
Where the matrix suggests it
The classic contradiction matrix suggests Flexible shells and thin films in 67 of its 1,248 filled cells. Most often for these conflicts:
- Improving Length of stationary object worsens Loss of time
- Improving Length of stationary object worsens Productivity
- Improving Area of moving object worsens Loss of information
- Improving Area of stationary object worsens Weight of stationary object
- Improving Area of stationary object worsens Loss of information
- Improving Volume of stationary object worsens Power
- Improving Volume of stationary object worsens Object-generated harmful factors
- Improving Shape worsens Strength