Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 462,330 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,986 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,986 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,213 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 462,330 cutting edge ideas.

Ultrasonic Clothes Dryers

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is Working on a Heat-Free Dryer

— January 22, 2018 — Eco
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a lab operated by the US Department of Energy, has been working on an ultrasonic clothes dryer that forgoes heat entirely, offering up a far more energy efficient alternative to the standard household appliance should the lab's technology makes it to market. The new dryer uses sound energy rather than heat, effectively shaking the clothes dry.

There are many different benefits to the lab's ultrasonic clothes dryer. For one, the Oak Ridge researchers estimate that a production model of their ultrasonic dryer could cut drying times for clothing in half. This speed, in conjunction with the lesser energy required to produce the ultrasonic waves, should reduce total energy by 70 percent when compared to the average dryer.

Another benefit of the tech relates to the clothes themselves. Removing heat means that the clothes are guaranteed not to shrink, and the dryers will also produce virtually no lint.
Trend Themes
1. Ultrasonic Clothes Dryers - Using sound energy instead of heat for drying clothes offers a more energy-efficient and shrink-free alternative to standard dryers.
2. Reduced Drying Times - The ultrasonic clothes dryer technology has the potential to cut drying times in half, providing a faster and more efficient laundry solution.
3. Energy Efficiency - By utilizing ultrasonic waves, the new dryers can reduce total energy consumption by 70% compared to traditional dryers.
Industry Implications
1. Home Appliances - Ultrasonic clothes dryers present an opportunity for innovation in the home appliances industry, providing a more eco-friendly and convenient solution for consumers.
2. Textile Manufacturing - The use of ultrasonic dryers holds potential for textile manufacturers to improve the quality of their products by eliminating shrinkage and lint production during the drying process.
3. Renewable Energy - Ultrasonic clothes dryers align with the renewable energy industry's focus on creating sustainable and efficient solutions for everyday tasks, reducing reliance on heat-based appliances.
2.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness