German designer Julian Lechner combined used coffee grounds with natural glues to create a new material, and has designed a set of cups to demonstrate its potential (+ slideshow). More about Julian Lechner turns old coffee grounds into reusable cups
British designer Sebastian Bergne has created a "micro laboratory" that enables users to form different beverage flavours by adding aromas, spices and other ingredients to heated milk (+ slideshow). More about Sebastian Bergne's Hot Milk Lab encourages flavour experiments
Milan 2015: Dutch design studio Droog has launched a collection of small hardware items to focus on the functional elements of furniture design that are often overlooked. More about Droog presents 210 hardware items at micro exhibition
Brooklyn designer Paul Loebach has used simple forms and materials for a teapot and matching glasses to provide an alternative to the "grandma look" of some ceramic designs (+ slideshow). More about Paul Loebach creates tea set with laboratory glass
Milan 2015: specially adapted cooking implements, hand-woven baskets and ceramic bowls slot into this wooden and metal box, created by Chinese designer Weiwei Wang to work as a portable tofu-making kit (+ slideshow). More about Weiwei Wang's portable kit provides utensils for making fresh tofu
Milan 2015: Dutch design student Tessa Geuze has created a miniature confectionary kit for users to produce handmade lollipops with seasonal ingredients (+ slideshow) More about Lollipop-making kit by Tessa Geuze is designed to create homemade seasonal treats
Milan 2015: Dutch designer Mark Sturkenboom has created a "memory box" containing a dildo with a compartment for storing the ashes of a deceased partner. More about 21 Grams is a sex toy that contains the ashes of a dead partner
Danish studio Kilo has designed a set of headphones that allow users to create different arrangements of headbands, earpads, cables and speakers (+ movie). More about Kilo Design creates modular headphones for Aiaiai
This umbrella has a frame that turns its canopy inside out, keeping water droplets inside as well as allowing it to open and close in confined spaces (+ movie). More about "Drip-free" umbrella encloses wet canopy on the inside
Product design consultancy Mormedi has created an electronic cigarette, which they hope will become like a "personal accessory similar to a pen" for users (+ slideshow). More about Mormedi's e-cigarette is designed as a personal accessory
Milan 2015: these stools constructed from kitchen sponge are drenched in vivid yellow PVC by Tokyo-based product designer Satsuki Ohata to create drooping forms reminiscent of melting cheese (+ slideshow). More about Fondue Stool by Satsuki Ohata is modelled on molten cheese
Milan 2015: design studio Outofstock has created a series of dip-dyed scent diffusers from an extruded ceramic material usually used for filtering exhaust fumes in cars, motorcycles and trucks. More about Outofstock turns ceramic exhaust filters into scent diffusers
Scientists at Harvard University have developed a microchip that can be lined with human cells to mimic the complex tissue structures of human organs. More about Tiny devices replicate human organs to provide an alternative drug-testing method
Milan 2015: Japanese designer Kosho Ueshima has designed a nanotech toothbrush that cleans your teeth without toothpaste. More about Misoka toothbrush cleans your teeth with nanotech ions instead of toothpaste
Milan 2015: Brussels designer Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte has created a cork helmet that lowers over the wearer's head when they need a respite from ambient noise. More about Cork Helmet covers the head to muffle noise pollution
Designer Marc Newson has created a series of 10 katana swords, modelled on the traditional weapons used by Japanese samurai warriors and each carrying a price tag of $300,000 (+ slideshow). More about Marc Newson designs limited-edition samurai sword
Austrian design firm EOOS and water research institute Eawag hope to improve sanitation levels in areas of extreme poverty with a mobile toilet that contains its own water filtration system (+ movie). More about Blue Diversion Toilet aims to improve sanitation with built-in filtration system
Milan 2015: Danish studio Norm Architects has created a collection of bathroom furnishings and accessories, including a matching wash basin and bathtub perched on slim metal legs (+ slideshow). More about Norm Architects creates minimal bathroom furniture for Ex.t
Milan 2015: British industrial designer Jasper Morrison will debut a USB charger for Swiss electronics accessories brand Punkt during Milan design week next month. More about Jasper Morrison designs a USB charger to power multiple devices
A sustainable building material made from agricultural byproducts and mushroom mycelium has been nominated for the Design Museum's 2015 Design of the Year award. More about Mushroom-based modelling kit allows users to grow their own designs