Systematic Approach to Arowana
Gender Identification Problem using
Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving (ARIZ)The 9th TRIZ Symposium in Japan, 2013
September 5-6, 2013
TriZit Benjaboonyazit
Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology, Thailand
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1Name : TriZit Benjaboonyazit (pronounced Trai-Sit in Thai,means 3 successes)
Education : M.Eng (Electrical Engineering) , The University of Tokyo, Japan
Present Work : Faculty of Engineering, Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology, Thailand
Experiences with TRIZ : While working at Technology Promotion Association(Thailand-Japan), the author has learned TRIZ from Shinsuke Kurosawa Sensei of
SANNO Institute of Management, Japan in 2005 after which he has founded the
public TRIZ e-learning website titled TRIZThailand.Community, and has
participated in the TPA Study Mission to Japan on Product and Process Innovation
by TRIZ in 2006 and 2007. He is the author of many articles and books on TRIZ.

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Background of the problem
The author came across this problem ofarowana gender identification when he visited agolden arowana farm in the southern part ofThailand and tried to look at this problem fromthe viewpoint of a TRIZ practitioner.

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Problem Situation

Arowana is a beautiful and expensive fish. Many
farms try to improve their efficiency in breedingarowana, but the problem is that arowana ismonomorphic which makes it difficult to distinguish malefrom female by their appearance. This causes difficulties
in mating and selling of arowana. Many trial-and-error
methods have been used with little success.

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Learning from success of similar cases
TRIZ Black Boxes Problem
Similar monomorphic problems in other fields
have been searched for to find out whether there
were any inventive principles that could be applied,
and luckily one was found in the problem of
distinguishing two identical black boxes, eachcontaining one of the two different electrical circuits.

TrizThailand.Community5Trapped in Psychological Inertia
Electrical engineers are likely to be trapped within
their psychological inertia by using their expertise incircuit analysis without success since the two different
electrical circuits in the black boxes are equivalent onesof the same circuit.
No matter what value of R is connected to theexternal terminal X-Y, The current (A) and voltage (V) at
the terminal X-Y of both circuits will always be the same.

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TRIZ’s concept of Resources
With nothing connected to the external terminal
X-Y (open circuit), the difference of the 2 black boxes
can be easily identified by detecting the thermal field
and magnetic field emitted from inside the boxes.
The box with current flowing through conductor
inside will generate heat and magnetic field aroundthe conductor.

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Apply the black boxes solutions to
Arowana Gender Identification Problem
Possible Solutions :Idea 1: Detect difference in body temperature between them.
Idea 2: Detect and utilize magnetic field they might emit.

These ideas are not final solutions. They leave theclues as secondary problem for us to investigate thepossibilities.
Are there any other resources and other possible
solutions ?
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Challenging with ARIZ

Since TRIZ’s concept of resources is one of theimportant parts in the Algorithm of Inventive
Problem Solving (ARIZ), the author has challenged
to use ARIZ to systematically analyze the problem
and search for other possibilities to identify thegender of arowana.

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ARIZ-85C
Part 1. Analyzing the Problem
Part 2. Analyzing the Problem Model
Part 3. Formulating the Ideal Final Result
and Physical Contradiction
Part 4. Mobilizing and Utilizing Substance-Field Resources
Part 5. Applying the Knowledge BasePart 6. Changing or Substituting the Problem
Part 7. Analyzing the Method for Resolving
the Physical Contradiction
Part 8. Capitalizing on the Solution Concept
Part 9. Analyzing the Problem-Solving Process
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10Problem Description

Arowana is monomorphic which makes it difficult todistinguish male from female by their appearance. This
causes difficulties in mating and selling of arowana. Many
trial-and-error methods have been used with little success.
Arowanas reach their maturity around the 4th year. A
female arowana has a single ovary which contains around 20~ 30 large ova. A mature male arowana possesses a single
thread-like testis.
Attempts have been made to identify the gender ofarowana by exposing their sexual organs, but this may
endanger their lives.

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1.1 Formulate the Mini-Problem
A bio-technological system for identifying the gender ofarowana consists of male arowana, female arowana, a tank withfreshwater, air bubbles, forage, exposing element and humaneye.
Mini-problem : It is necessary, with minimum changes tothe system, to identify their gender without harming their lives.

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12Technical Contradictions (TC) are formulated as follows,♦ TC-1: If the arowana’s sexual organs are exposed withstrong exposing element, it is easy to identify theirgender, but this may endanger their lives.
♦ TC-2: If the arowana’s sexual organs are exposed withweak exposing element, their lives are safe, but it isdifficult to identify their gender.
Note: In this wording, the author has changed thespecialized term knife or cutter to the general term
exposing element to avoid psychological inertia.
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1.2 Define the Conflicting Elements♦ Workpieces: arowana's sexual organs♦ Tool: exposing element and human eye

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1.3 Build Graphical Models for theTechnical Contradictions

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1.4 Select a Graphical Model for Further Analysis
In the problem of identifying the gender of arowana,
the main useful function is identifying the gender ofarowana. Thus, we choose TC-1: in this case the arowana’s
sexual organs are exposed with strong exposing element.
At this state, we might try to solve the problem of
eliminating harmful effect by thinking of Standard solution
1.2.2 (modifying the tool) or Inventive principle #21(Rushing through)Idea 3: Use something like laser surgery technique which isstrong, fast and precise.
Remark: This seems possible, but the cost is high and thesafety of the fish cannot be guaranteed.
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1.4 Select a Graphical Model for Further Analysis(continued)

Although, in this problem, the main useful function is
identifying the gender of arowana, since the safety for arowana isgiven first priority, we choose TC-2: in this case the arowana’s
sexual organs are exposed with weak exposing element, and then,we try to solve the problem of improving the useful function.
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1.5 Intensify the Conflict

In order not to compromise (trade off) the usefulfunction with the harmful effect, we intensify the conflictby considering that instead of “weak exposing element”,
it is replaced by “absent exposing element” in TC-2.
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1.6 Formulate the Problem Model

Find an X element that maintains thefeature of the absent exposing element (i.e.,does not harm arowana) while providing aneasy way to identify the gender of arowana.
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1.7 Apply the System of Standard Solutions
Since this is a problem of detection, we try toapply a standard in class 4 (4.2.1. change the field
without interfering with the original system).
Idea 4: Use ultrasound.
A = human eye
B = arowana's sexual organs
C = arowana's life
F1 = light

F2 = ultrasoundTrizThailand.Community201.7 Apply the System of Standard Solutions(continued)
Since the human eye
cannot see the sexualorgans directly, anultrasound image
monitor (D) must be
added.
This seems to be a goodsolution, but in actual
application, the systemfails due to the thickscale (E) of arowana.
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2.1 Define the Operational Zone (OZ)
In the problem of identifying thegender of arowana, the Operational Zone
is defined to be the place around thesexual organs of arowana.

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2.2 Define the Operational Time (OT)In the problem of identifying thegender of arowana, the Operational Timeis defined to be the period of time during
which arowana's sexual organs areobserved.

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2.3 Define the Substance and Field
Resources
In the problem of identifying the gender ofarowana, the absent exposing element is considered,and thus substance field resources (SFR) include only
substances and fields in the analyzed system and theenvironment. In this case, besides the tank,freshwater, air bubbles, forage, and the fish itself, we
can consider any substance or energy emitted fromor absorbed by the fish body as SFR.
Idea 5-12: At this state, we create a list of substancefield resources and try to generate ideas from theseresources as in the following table.
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2.3 Define the Substance and Field
Resources (continued)
List of SFR and ideas generated

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3.1 Identify the Formula for IFR-1
The Ideal Final Result by introducing the X
element is defined as follows,
The X element does not complicate thesystem at all, does not create any harmful
effects, improves the function of “identifying
the gender of arowana” of exposing element
during the observation period, while
maintaining the ability of the tool “not toharm arowana’s life.”
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3.2 Intensify the Formula for IFR-1
We intensify the formula of IFR-1 byintroducing an additional requirement that the X
element comes from substance field resources.
The X element does not complicate thesystem at all, does not create any harmful effects,
improves the function of “identifying the genderof arowana” of exposing element during theobservation period, while maintaining the abilityof the tool “not to harm arowana’s life”, and the X
element should be substituted by “substancefield resources (SFR)”
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3.3 Formulate the Physical Contradiction
for the Macro-Level
Sexual organs (operational zone)
should be exposed during observation
period (operational time) to identify thegender of arowana, and should not be
exposed after observation is finished, toprotect their lives.
At this state, no idea is generated, so
we go on to the next step.
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3.4 Formulate the Physical Contradiction
for the Micro-Level
Particular atoms should be therearound sexual organs (operational zone)
during observation period (operationaltime) to identify the gender of arowana,
and should not be there after observation
is finished, to protect their lives.
At this state, we try to formulate the
new Ideal Final Result as in the next step.
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3.5 Formulate the Ideal Final Result (IFR-2)
The ordinary atoms around the sexual organs(operational zone) should, on their own, betransformed into particular atoms duringobservation period (operational time) to identify
the gender of arowana. After observation isfinished, the particular atoms should, on theirown, be transformed into ordinary atoms.

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3.6 Consider Solving the New Problem
Using the System of Standard Solutions

Standard 2.4.7. Use natural phenomena (such as alignment ofobjects with the field, or loss of ferromagnetism above the Curie
point.)
Standard 4.4.5. Measure the effects of natural phenomena
associated with magnetism, etc.
Idea 13: Use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to align theatoms around sexual organs and detect the resonance of particular
nuclei.

Earthguide & Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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4.1 Simulation with Smart Little People
Smart Little People(SLP)of skin use both hands
tied together and do not
expose arowana's sexualorgans.

Smart Little People(SLP)of skin drop their hands,
thus make it easy to
expose arowana's sexualorgan.

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4.1 Simulation with Smart Little People(continued)
Problem:
How to find a way to make the smart little people of skinnear the opening to sexual organs release their gripped hands
Idea 14:
Use lubrication oil substance and send spy to sneak inside
the opening. (a small ultrasound probe will be inserted
through the opening to detect the image of sexual organs)

BCF UltrasoundTrizThailand.Community33

4.2 “Stepping Back” from the IFR
Note 39. … However, it is not always the case that aproblem can be solved with a small expenditure ofresources. Sometimes we must step back and consider
introducing “foreign” substances and fields. This should
be done only when absolutely necessary — that is, if
available SFR cannot be applied.
In this case, instead of using only Substance Field
Resources inside the analyzed system and theenvironment, external resource is introduced into thesystem to work with internal resources in identifying
the gender of arowana.
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4.3 Using a Mixture of Substance
Resources
Use mixture of substance resources discharged
from arowana
Idea 15: Use secretion and excretion discharged
from arowana for DNA testing
Remark: This is what is really done, but due tothe high cost of DNA testing, it is not popular.
Besides, there are still questions about its
effectiveness due to the complexity in thechromosome of arowana.
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4.4 Using Empty Space

Idea 16: Male arowana use their mouth to incubate
the fertilized eggs until they become fry. So it isbelieved that male arowana have bigger mouth thanfemale arowana. The size or volume of empty spacein their mouth can be used to distinguish male fromfemale arowana.
Remark: This method is widely used, but still it lacks
accuracy and is considered unreliable.

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4.5 Using Derived Resources
Consider solving the problem using derived
substance resources or a mixture of derived
substance resources with empty space.
Idea 17: Feed arowana in the tank with forage
which contains some substance that intensifies
color difference between male and female. In thiscase, color is the derived optical field.
Idea 18: Insert sensor inside the rectum to analyze
stool excretion of arowana.
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4.6 Using an Electrical Field
Idea 19: Male and female arowana might react
differently under electric field.
Idea 20: Male and female arowana might emit
some extent of electric field like that of anelectric eel.

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4.7 Using a Field and Field-Sensitive Substance
Recently microchips are inserted into the body ofarowana to distinguish each individual fish.
Idea 21: Microchip with built-in temperature sensor
can be inserted into the body of the fish to monitor
the temperature difference between male andfemale arowana.

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5.1 Consider solving the physical problem byapplying the System of Standard Solutions
Standard 4.1.1 Instead of detecting or measuring,
modify the system so that there is no longer a need formeasurement.
Idea 22: Instead of trying to increase the productivity ofarowana breeding by gender identification, change thebreeding system to cloning system.
Remark: This seems to be a good idea, but cloned
arowana are not preferred, besides, it goes beyond thelimit of minimum changes to the system which is thecondition initially defined by the mini-problem.
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5.2 Consider solving the problem by applying solution
concepts to problems that have already been solved
Problem with similar physical contradiction has beenfound in Sturgeons which have no external markers forsexing, and endoscopic observations of the sexual organsof sturgeons has been used to identify gender of this fish.
Idea 23: Use endoscopy technique to look inside the bodyto identify the gender of arowana.

Department of Animal Sciences,The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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5.3 Consider resolving the Physical Contradiction by
utilizing the Separation Principles
Physical Contradiction in step 3.3: Sexual organs should be
exposed during observation period to identify the gender ofarowana, and should not be exposed after observation isfinished, to protect their lives.
Use Separation Principle in time
Idea 24: Use CT Scan during the observation period.

Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology
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5.4 Consider resolving the Physical Contradiction by
utilizing the library of natural effects and phenomena
Idea 25: Use X-Ray effect to penetrate through thescale of arowana to expose the sexual organs.
Remark: This seems practical, but the safety of the
fish cannot be guaranteed.

X-Ray Fish Photo from the Smithsonian Institute
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Part 6. Changing or Substituting the Problem
6.1 If the problem is solved, transfer the theoretical solution
concept into a practical one.
6.2 If the problem is not solved, check to see whether thedescription in Step 1.1 represents a combination of several
problems.
6.3 If the problem is still not solved, change the problem byselecting another Technical Contradiction in Step 1.4
6.4 If the problem is still not solved, return to Step 1.1 andreformulate the Mini-Problem with respect to the super-system.
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6.3. Change the problem by selecting anotherTechnical Contradiction in Step 1.4.
Ideas of Exposing tools generated in Part 3, Part 4 andPart 5 (Ultrasound, MRI, Endoscope or CT Scan) can be goodsolutions, but since they are expensive resources introduced
into the system from outside, they are not ideal solutions. In
order to move closer to the ideal final result, we change theproblem by selecting another Technical Contradiction as
below, and try to eliminate the harmful function.

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5.1 Consider solving the physical problem by applying
the System of Standard Solutions (again)
Standard 1.2.2 Eliminating harmful interaction byintroducing modified S1 and/or S2
Idea 26: The problem might be able to be solved byintroducing a third substance which is available orderived substance field resources (SFR) to replace theexisting substances (exposing tool).

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5.2 Consider solving the problem by applying solution
concepts to problems that have already been solved (again)
Problem with similar physical contradiction has beenfound in other fishes (Tuna, Arapaima) using plasma
vitellogenin derived from blood to distinguish male fromfemale fish.
Idea 27: Use plasma vitellogenin derived from blood to
identify the gender of arowana.

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Part 7: Analyzing the Method for Resolving thePhysical Contradiction
7.1 Check the Concept of Solution.
It is possible to apply available or derived SFR instead of
introducing the substance/field from outside the system.
Vitellogenin can be considered as self-controlling substances. It
is high in female and low in male arowana.
7.2 Preliminary estimate of the solution concept.
The solution concept meet the main requirement of IFR-1.
Physical Contradiction (in 6.3) is resolved by the solution concept.
The new system contains at least one easily-controlled element.
Vitellogenin is self-controlled.
The solution concept found for a “single-cycle” Problem Modelfits the real-life, “multi-cycle” situation.

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Part 7: Analyzing the Method for Resolving thePhysical Contradiction (Continued)

7.3 Check the novelty of the solution concept via
a patent search.
There is no patent on arowana gender
identification using plasma vitellogenin yet.

7.4 What sub-problems might appear during
development of the new technological system?
The sub-problems of analyzing plasma
vitellogenin system to identify arowana gender
for mating and selling will have to be solved.
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Part 8. Capitalizing on the Solution Concept
8.1 Plasma vitellogenin analyzing system should be improved.
8.2 The changed system or super-system can be applied to otherornamental fishes.
8.3 Apply the solution concept for solving other problems:• Formulate a general Solution Principle
Gender identification in monomorphic animal using plasma
vitellogenin• Consider direct application of the Solution Principle to otherproblems
Idea 28: Gender identification in monomorphic birds.
• Consider applying the opposite Principle to other problems
Idea 29: Use plasma vitellogenin to increase female arowana.
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Part 8. Capitalizing on the Solution Concept(Continued)• Create a morphological matrix that includes all possible modifications of
the solution concept, and consider every combination produced by thematrix. For example, “placing the parts” versus “applied fields” etc.
Idea 30: Combine fish body and thermal field by using Infrared Camera to
detect fish body temperature pattern.
Idea 31: Combine fish body and optical field by using Night Vision Camera
to detect the light pattern emitted from the body of fish at night.

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Part 8. Capitalizing on the Solution Concept(Continued)• Consider the modifications to the Solution Principle that would result fromchanging the dimensions of the system or its main parts, imagining theresult if the dimensions were to approach zero or stretch toward infinity.
Idea 32: Use electron microscope to look into the chromosome inside thecell of arowana.

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Part 9. Analyzing the Problem-Solving Process
9.1 Compare the real process of problem solving
with the theoretical one (that is, according to ARIZ).
Write down all, if any, deviations.
Step 5.2 Apply the solution concepts to nonstandard problems that have already been solved
using ARIZ.
In this case, the solution concepts of problem
with similar physical contradiction have not used
ARIZ.
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Part 9. Analyzing the Problem-Solving Process(Continued)
9.2 Compare the solution concept you found to theinformation in the TRIZ knowledge base (Standard Solutions,
Separation Principles, effects and phenomena libraries, etc.). If
the knowledge base does not include a principle that applies
to your solution concept, document this principle so that it canbe considered for inclusion when revisions to ARIZ are made.
Standard 1.2.2. Eliminating harmful interaction by Introducing
modified S1 and/or S2
At step 5.1, new substance from available and derived SFR(S3) is used to replace exposing tools to eliminate harmfulinteraction.
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Concluding Remark
The high potential solutions for Arowana gender identification problem
are attained systematically by using Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving(ARIZ).
More than 30 ideas are generated along the process of using ARIZ stepby step from Part 1 to Part 9. The solution concepts develop gradually andbecome clearer and better when we come closer to the ideal final result. And
finally, some high potential solutions such as using plasma vitellogenin fromblood of arowana are proposed.
The solutions are not only useful for real world application, but theprocess to reach the solutions will also be useful for those who are interested
in TRIZ and want to learn how to apply ARIZ to solve their problems.
The author hopes that this work will contribute to the progress andfurther development of TRIZ in an appropriate way.

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Acknowledgement
Finally, the author would like to express his
grateful thanks to Shinsuke Kurosawa Sensei,
who has endlessly devoted to the promotion of
TRIZ and has guided the author to challenge
using ARIZ in this work with his great advices.

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References
1.
2.
3.

ARIZ-85C, http://www.trizstudy.com
Tools of Classical TRIZ, http://www.ideationtriz.com/publication.asp
Breeding Technique of Malaysian Golden Arowana,
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Suleiman_Breeding_Asian_Arowana.html
4. Su-Field: An Educational Example of Inventive Problem Solving in Electrical Engineering,
http://www.triz-journal.com/archives/2006/01/05.pdf
5. The use of ultrasound in the aquaculture industry,
http://www.bcfultrasound.com/ultrasound_products/applications/fish
6. Use of endoscopy for gender and ovarian stage determinations in Russian sturgeon,
http://departments.agri.huji.ac.il/animal/staff/faculty_staff/sivan_berta/publications/19Hurvitz-etal-2007-aquaculture.pdf
7. X-Ray Fish Photos from the Smithsonian Institute,
http://www.sites.si.edu/exhibitions/exhibits/ichthyo/
8. First CT scan made of eggs inside coelacanth,
http://www.evolution.bio.titech.ac.jp/index_e.html
9. MRI fish, Earthguide & Scripps Institution of Oceanography,
http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/fishes/technology/technology.html
10. Gender determination in the Arapaimagigas using plasma vitellogenin,
http://www.riiaamazonia.org/PUBS/T18.pdf
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Thank you for your attention
TriZit@gmail.com
http://www.trizthailand.com

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