John Longchamps

Denise DeLuca

Biomimetic Design

MCAD | Summer 2015

A3.3 Product Evaluation Using Life’s Principles: Dell Latitude E6320 Laptop

John Longchamps

Denise DeLuca

Biomimetic Design

MCAD | Summer 2015

Life’s Principle: Locally Attuned and Responsive

1. Is the design resourceful?

a. Somewhat, but it could be more useful. Potential for upgradability is somewhat present

but could be significantly expanded. The computer chips do use shape and information

in addition to material and energy. The laptop has the potential to use free local energy

via photovoltaics, although these are not integrated into the unit.

2. Does it leverage feedback loops?

a. The connectivity of the machine to local and global networks allows for feedback loops

to be created. The internet functions by sending information packets from machine to

machine, and this laptop has access to that network. Moreover, within the tangible

boundaries of a single unit of the product itself, responsiveness and connectivity to its

immediate context / environment is through the electrical outlet, wifi networks,

Bluetooth networks, and satellite networks.

3. When it uses materials, are the materials locally available and abundant?

a. The materials sources are not necessarily locally available and abundant. In fact, rare

minerals have to be sourced from the Congo, and must be verified to be from non-

conflict sources. In addition to the extraction of rare minerals like gold, coltan, and

tungsten, and Petroleum is excavated and refined to produce the plastics used in Dell

Latitude laptops.

Recommendations: Create a regionally-based take-back program that reclaims laptops at the

end of their useful lifecycle. Disassemble, process materials, and remanufacture laptops locally

to prevent excessive shipping demands.

Life’s Principle: Integration of Cyclic Processes

1. Are processes cyclical?

a. Some processes are cyclical. There is a limited degree to which the laptop can be easily

disassembled and reconfigured. One good example of an internal component that can

be easily upgraded is the RAM chip – this is an easy slide-in procedure. The laptop uses

all virgin materials. The laptop does not depend on any biological materials, and

therefore cannot be easily integrated back in to nature.

2. Does it integrate local feedback loops?

a. Yes. The laptop excels at receiving new information for the greater super system. It also

responds to feedback in the form of firmware and software updates.

Recommendation: Optimize the components of the laptop for increased ease of disassembly.

John Longchamps

Denise DeLuca

Biomimetic Design

MCAD | Summer 2015

Life’s Principle: Resiliency

1. Can it withstand disturbance while maintaining function?

a. Yes, however there is a limit to which the degree of which it can withstand. Hardware-

wise the laptop can withstand light drops onto carpet from a foot or two, as it has a

sturdy build. Software-wise, the laptop can still function after being infected with

malware or spyware. In both of these instances, only degrees of each can be allowed

before functionality ceases.

2. Does it heal after a disturbance?

a. It can. Hardware can be replaced, and software can be reinstalled after a malware or

spyware infection. Sometimes these disturbances prove to be too drastic for full healing

to occur however.

3. Are there opportunities for cross-pollination and mutation?

a. Yes. Mistakes are encouraged for continual idea generation in the form of software beta

releases. Co-evolution occurs at the hands of open-source software development

communities. Finally, the rate of adaptation is continually increased per Moore’s Law.

Recommendations: Use materials with more shock absorbency for the physical hardware

chassis. Leverage engaged open-source development communities in partnerships with

corporations to create operating systems with greater malware and spyware firewalls.

Life’s Principle: Optimization Over Maximization

1. Does it integrate multiple functions?

a. Absolutely. The laptop (as well as computers in general) excels at integrating multi-

functionality through the utilization of programs and apps that run in the operating

system environment including entertainment, work and productivity, and connectivity /

communication.

2. Does it recycle all materials?

a. No. The laptop uses all virgin materials. It is designed for disassembly to an extent – this

could be optimized for a faster disassembly time.

3. Does it perform functions with minimal material and energy?

a. Arguably, yes. While there is not an overwhelming amount of extraneous material and

energy utilization in the laptop, there could certainly be efforts to optimize specs that

call for reduced consumption.

Recommendations: Decrease disassembly time by removing screws and introducing a complete

snap-fit assembly. Develop, vertically integrate and/or source LED / LCD screens with decreased

energy demands. Utilize lower wattage draw external power supplies.

John Longchamps

Denise DeLuca

Biomimetic Design

MCAD | Summer 2015

Life’s Principle: Benign Manufacturing

1. Is it made from life-friendly materials?

a. Not completely, but efforts are being made. Dell eliminated bromine and PVC in its

internal componentry four years before the RoHS initiative took effect. Dell is in global

compliance with RoHS and REACH. However, manufacturing of laptop components

discharges a substantial amount of hazardous effluent and carbon emissions. The

materials used to build the laptop cannot be integrated back into nature’s cycles.

2. Is chemistry done in water?

a. No. The manufacturing of all of the enabling technology and outer enclosures of laptops

is extremely varied and non-water based.

3. Are processes done at ambient pressures and temperatures?

a. No. Heat, beat, and treat is certainly in full effect. From the internal chipsets to the

outer enclosures: the extraction and processing of natural resources, manufacturing of

components, and final assembly ultimately place a high demand on artificially elevated

pressure and temperature.

Recommendations: Push beyond RoHS compliance in non-European countries where sales are

occurring, and fully eliminate all known hazardous materials. Investigate the potential of water-

based chemistry for forming chipsets. Spearhead the formation of an industry-wide research

consortium to investigate low-temperature and low-pressure chipset manufacturing.

Life’s Principle: Leveraging Systemic Interdependence

1. Does it foster symbiotic, cooperative, community-based relationships?

a. Yes and no. In terms of providing connectivity across the globe, it interconnects and

inherently engenders cooperation between software systems. It does maintain

community ties by connecting more people in more ways than any point in human

history (by means of the internet, of which the laptop has access to). The laptop (more

accurately computer technology in general) contributes to dynamic and rapid economic

evolution as well, creating wealth for those familiar with its operation to produce

desired results. The physical build of the machine however is manufactured in a way

that does not create conditions that are conducive to life.

2. Does it foster emergent relationships?

a. Yes. The laptop has access to the internet which self-organizes on a daily, hourly, and

second-by-second basis. The relationships and connectivity access by the laptop provide

great value to humankind.

John Longchamps

Denise DeLuca

Biomimetic Design

MCAD | Summer 2015

3. Recommendations: Increase sustainability by creating a physical hardware build that places

significantly less demand on resources. Leverage cloud computing to reduce hardware needs.

Conclusion

The Dell Latitude E6320 is no-doubt an incredible feat of human ingenuity. The value that it provides in

economic and social dimensions (primarily through access to the internet, and various software

applications) is astounding. However, the hardware that houses and delivers the software experience to

the end-user is extremely taxing on the environment. Dell could consider spearheading an industry-wide

initiative to rethink the hardware vessels that deliver software and internet experiences – the real things

that end-users are after. Investigating low-energy power sources, self-assembling crystallization for

silicon chipsets, and low-heat processes could position Dell as an industry sustainable innovation leader.

Proposed Concept: