The term silicone was coined by Frederick Kipping, who pioneered the study of the organic compounds of silicon. Silicones are nonstick, rubber-like and heat-resistant compounds commonly used in lubricants, adhesives, cookware, insulation, sealants, medical applications, and breast implants. They are very stable and resist the effects of heat, water and oxidizing agents. Silicones are any of a diverse class of elastomers, fluids or resins based on polymerized siloxanes, substances whose molecules consist of chains made of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. Silicone rubber, silicone resin, silicone oil and silicone grease are some common forms of silicone. Silicone rubbers are used as caulking material and gaskets; in specialized tubing; as electrical insulators in coatings, varnishes and encapsulations; as automobile engine components; as flexible windows in air locks and face masks; as surgical membranes and implants; and for laminating glass cloth. Silicone fluids are used in emulsion-breaking compositions, breast implants and hydraulic fluids, and as lubricants, adhesives, protective coatings, and water repellents. Silicones, due to the low water solubility and good spreading properties, are used as active compound in defoamers. Silicone is becoming an important product in the cookware industry and can be used where contact with food is required. Silicone has the potential of replacing plastic in creating toys. The gel form of silicone is used in breast implants, dressings, bandages and a variety of other medical uses. Silicone grease in the automotive field is used as a lubricant for brake components because it is not water-soluble and it is stable at high temperatures. Silicones are ingredients in many shampoo, hair conditioner and hair gel products. Silicone rubber is widely acknowledged in the construction industry because of its strength and reliability.

The most useful properties of silicone are:

1. Low chemical reactivity.

The term “Brainstorming” is commonly understood as a process in which a group of problem solvers “kick around ideas.” The phrase “kick around ideas” is apropos because few people are schooled in methodology for conducting creative development meetings. Just as there are management consultants who train managers on how to optimize meeting agendas, there also are specialized consultants to train managers to effectively run creative ideation meetings. This article outlines some of the basic tools and sequences that a professional creative meeting facilitator might use to organize a group of talented people for problem solving.

The meeting must begin with a Client. The client is the representative who presents the problem to be solved. This is the person who is in a position to judge if progress is moving satisfactorily toward a solution. For example, suppose that the client works for a medical device company. Let’s suppose that they wish to develop a new product for which a pump is required that can be manufactured for a given price, within a given size and weight, have a delivery capacity, and be actuated by an operator in as specified manner. The group would then be charged to offer alternatives for how this might be achieved.

The meeting must have a facilitator who is leads the meeting. This person selects the participants who should cover a range of disciplines that relate to the various aspects of the client objective. The meeting begins with a statement from the client an the objective. That statement is recorded on some media such as white board or large pad of paper. The meeting requires a scribe who records the notes so that all can read them.