40 inventive principles / #39
#39 Inert atmosphere
What it says
- Replace the normal environment with an inert one.
- Add neutral parts or inert additives to the object.
Examples
- Software
- Run tests in an isolated sandbox with no side effects.
- Business
- A quiet room or no-meeting day for focused work.
- Engineering
- Argon shielding gas in welding.
- Everyday life
- Vacuum-sealed food bags.
Where the matrix suggests it
The classic contradiction matrix suggests Inert atmosphere in 77 of its 1,248 filled cells. Most often for these conflicts:
- Improving Length of stationary object worsens Stability of the object's composition
- Improving Stability of the object's composition worsens Area of stationary object
- Improving Stability of the object's composition worsens Duration of action by stationary object
- Improving Duration of action by stationary object worsens Stability of the object's composition
- Improving Weight of stationary object worsens Stability of the object's composition
- Improving Area of stationary object worsens Temperature
- Improving Volume of moving object worsens Temperature
- Improving Volume of moving object worsens Loss of substance