Naturally Inspired

Science has long drawn inspiration from nature. Engineers do it and the result is biomimetics - the imitation of nature to solve human problems. Scientists do it, looking at, for example, the lotus flower's ability to remain pristine even in muddy environments in the hope of replicating its water-repelling and self-cleaning abilities elsewhere. Designers do it and have come up with the Flower Power Battery Charger, a sunflower shaped charger that harnesses solar power through its petals.

You can join the ranks of these who marry nature and science by bringing home some technology that has been inspired by one of Nature's most breathtaking creations - flowers.

Flowering Sound

How would you like a pair of speakers that not only provide powerful sound, but also makes a great centerpiece? Samsung's ebony-colored Bluetooth speakers shaped like a pair of flowers do just that. The BSP 6000 not only steams music, it also integrates with your mobile phone to let you make, answer, and end calls it you are within 30 feet of the speakers. They also come with an auxiliary jack that connects to other music sources.

Mobile phones may be all the rage. Now, cordless phones are catching up with novel designs as well. The TULIP DECT cordless phone (S$49) is exactly as it name suggests – a cordless phone shaped like a tulip. It comes in several shades but the violet and red versions look almost like the flower. In an age where house proud homeowners want everything in their home to make a statement, this sleek piece of technology is something to talk about.

Flowering Sight

When it comes to camera lens hoods, flowers feature quite a bit in the design. Flower (sometime called petal or tulip) lens hoods are used for lenses where the front elements do not rotate when zooming or focusing. These lens hoods let light in in the corners of the image while providing maximum shade for the rest of the lens, thereby reducing the amount of vignetting (where the image is bright in the centre but fades off at the edges) and producing better quality photographs.

At Courts, you can pick up an Akarui Flower Lens Hood (77mm) for S$44. The Nikon AF-S 70-300 mm VR lens from Harvey Norman comes with its own flower-shaped bayonet hood. This camera has a special nine-blade rounded diaphragm opening that makes objects that are out of focus appear more natural.

Flowering Taste

Part sandwich maker, part waffle iron, all fun, the Mayer Tea Cake Maker (S$79.90) from Best Denki is a cake maker that works much like a sandwich maker. It has eight non-stick moulds shaped like flowers. Simply pour in your batter, snap shut the lid, and wait for the indicator to light up to enjoy your flower-shaped dessert. Depending on your recipe, you could end up with a tea cake, a madeleine, a cupcake, or even a cookie. There is no need to fiddle around with oven temperatures, or worry about getting cupcake holders. It cooks faster than the oven and requires only a wipe down when you are done. This nifty piece of equipment will make a baker out of anyone.

Flowers are not only beautiful, they have inspired creativity in almost every field, from art to science, medicine, and technology. There are so many ways you can bring home a bloom. A home powered by flower technology is certainly an innovative spin!

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