The contradiction matrix is one of the effective and visual tools of TRIZ. The idea of the matrix and its initial development was created and worked out by Genrich Saulovich Altshuller in the process of research of about 40,000 patents with the so-called "strong levels of solutions" in several classes of the International Patent Classification. This database was extracted from about 400,000 worldwide patents in the 60's and 70's. G.S. Altshuller figured out 39 types of 39 engineering parameters on the matrix's axes "Undesired Effect" versus "Feature to Improve" and 40 types of inventive principles [1].

This matrix and many other TRIZ methods are in the public domain due to the goodwill of the author of TRIZ and his associates. Since that time this classical contradiction matrix and its elements were reproduced in various books about TRIZ with different examples and even humorous illustrations [2a, b]. The simple software for the classical contradiction matrix can be found on the Internet [2b]; this matrix was integrated in various TRIZ packages for personal computers.

The development of the matrix was continued by TRIZniks in the former Soviet Union from the 1970's to present. It was shown that 40 initial principles can be squeezed to 36 independent characteristics [3]. On the other hand the Belorussian school of TRIZ added new principles, such as [4]:

41. Usage of pauses

42. Multistep action principle

43. Use of foam

44. Use of put in parts

45. Bi-principle

46. Explosives and powders application

47. Assembling on (in) the water

48. "Sack with vacuum"

49. Dissociation-association

50. Self-organization principle

A number of the engineering parameters has also been significantly increased due to the patent research in Russia, so new parameters such as "Safety" were added [5,6]. As a result the matrix cells were enriched; several columns and rows were added. For example, a new cell with SAFETY (as the Undesired Effect) versus PRODUCTIVITY (as the Feature to Improve) contains principles # 10,14, 35,38, and 50; and the cell in the classical matrix cell with WASTE OF TIME (as the Undesired Effect ) versus ADAPTABILITY contains principles # 28,35,49.

TRIZniks in Odessa (Ukraine) made a statistical analysis of the matrix's elements for various engineering fields [7]. Later this idea was extended to the set of industry field-dependent tensors [6]. It is worth mentioning that a matrix works only with 2 parameters, while a tensor can operate with the same or higher number of the engineering parameters so axes become multidimensional. The possibility of creating the universal tensor seems reasonable and should be worked out.

I would like to note that the inventive principles work not only in the technical contradictions. It is possible to use this tool in business and education. For example, we figured out the contradiction between a small number of real specialists in TRIZ and a big current demand for TRIZ training; Russian as the native language for about 99.9% of all TRIZ experts and the international representation of people who want to know TRIZ on the other hand. We resolve these contradictions by offering hands-on TRIZ training using the Internet as the mediator (the principle # 24) and translators as the superposition of the principles # 26 and # 50. I would like to mention that the students at the Virtual TRIZ College can learn the modern contradiction matrix as well as other classical and recent TRIZ tools.

Although the classical matrix is in the public domain, everybody should remember that its idea belongs to G.S. Altshuller. Other TRIZniks can claim on the intellectual properties concerning development or illustration of the matrix but not on the matrix itself or its elements. I and some other TRIZniks do not consider that the matrix or even the universal tensor can exist in some permanent forms, because new fields of technique and engineering will enrich the contradiction matrix/tensor. I convince that TRIZ development needs the same support as other sciences through federal and international organizations.

References:

1.G.S. Altshuller "Algorithm of Inventions" Moscow 1969, 1973 (in Russian).

2a. U. Fedoseev and G. Altshuller The Contradiction Matrix and its Components: Album (in Russian) Petrazavodsk, 1984. - 42 pp. (Translated in English by Lev Shulyak, 1997).

2b. The classical matrix at http://www.iis.nsk.su/~shu/misc/triz/

3. S.D. Savransky, http://www.trizexperts.net/inventiveprincipes.htm

4. N.N. Khomenko e.a. An additional list of the inventive principles (in Russian) 1989, 5 pp.

5. S.D. Savransky, S.E.Sofronev e.a. Unpublished results 1982 -1993

6. S.D. Savransky, http://www.trizexperts.net/savransky-triz-papers.htm

7. S. Tetelbaum, Unpublished results 1990.