Birth of Research Ideas!
We are motivated in research by the ideas that can significantly impact society and something new and non-trivial.
We all thought about the ideas in research and implied in ourselves that "how we can come up with good ideas." Here we classify this issue to grasp it better and hopefully apply it.
Often, we found that ideas occur because of applying the ideas and thoughts from one discipline to another. We can call this a broad type of research idea.
Figure 1: CERN' CLEAR study paves the way for novel electron-based cancer therapy
The study, conducted at CERN’s CLEAR test facility, demonstrates how very high-energy electron beams can be focused onto deep-seated cancerous tumors CLEAR facility, where tests on very high-energy electron beams were carried out [1].
Another way is the problem-based solution; it defines it and pertains to certain boundaries. Now you have to solve it by applying whatever knowledge you have. This category comes under problem-based research ideas.
Figure 2: Corrosion-Resistant Water Pipes, Guangwen Zhou is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Binghamton University.
Binghamton University scientists were able to examine the oxidation of copper, the principal building material for millions of miles of water infrastructure, at the atomic level using cutting-edge in situ microscopy techniques. What they discovered could aid in the development of corrosion-resistant pipes [2].
There is a broad spectrum of researchers in early times who observe natural actions such as the flowing of river, formation, and collapse of a cloud, flapping of birds, exploring the sky, curiosity about the inner working of living organisms, etc. We can call this under the Nature-based research idea.
Figure 3: Kingfisher and Shinkansen
When trains move at these speeds after emerging from a tunnel, they create a sonic boom, a major source of noise pollution for local Japanese inhabitants. So, how did engineers handle the situation? Engineers went to an odd source, the Kingfisher, with the help of some biomimicry. While hunting for prey, Kingfisher birds use their extended beak to glide between the air and water with minimal splash. Engineers altered the train to seem like a bird's beak, giving it a long beak-like form in the front. With this modest update, the engineers could lessen the train's noise while also gaining the benefits of a train that consumes 15% less electricity and is 10% quicker than the original [3].
Ref: -
T. Hortala, “CLEAR study paves the way for novel electron-based cancer therapy | CERN.” https://home.cern/news/news/knowledge-sharing/clear-study-paves-way-novel-electron-based-cancer-therapy (accessed Jul. 04, 2021).
G. Zhou, “Corrosion-Resistant Water Pipes Could Prevent Another Flint | Food Manufacturing.” https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/home/news/20630855/corrosionresistant-water-pipes-could-prevent-another-flint (accessed Jul. 04, 2021).
D. Alexander, “Biomimicry: 9 Ways Engineers Have Been ‘Inspired’ by Nature,” Interesting Engineering, 2018
Written by Aditya Gupta, 2021 mechanical engineering graduate, NIT, Surat, and Lead of XCRSD, Bose.X, SVNIT.