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Dyson engineers have selected their top fifty entries to this
year's James Dyson Award from over 700 inventions from 18
countries. The successful entries will now progress to the
international final before the winner of the GBP 10,000 prize is
announced by James Dyson on 8th November.
For the full list of finalists visit: www.jamesdysonaward.org. A
selection of the shortlisted entries is included below.
Canada - Koriolis Centrifuge
Problem: Anaemia affects 1.3 billion people around the world and
is responsible for up to 40% of maternal deaths due to childbirth
(Viteri et al.). A rapid diagnosis of anaemia involves centrifuging
blood. However, state-of-the-art centrifuges are expensive (more
than US$1000) and require electricity.
Solution: This device is designed to spin human blood to
diagnose fatal diseases like anaemia and malaria but unlike other
devices on the market it is powered by retrofitting a power drill
and running it backwards. This eliminates the use of relying on
advanced machining tools or significant manufacturing processes.
This machine is also made from low cost materials decreasing the
cost of these machines to approximately $160. This allows
developing countries healthier more supported communities.
UK - Safety Net
Problem: Deep sea fishing is unsustainable. It is indiscriminate
and captures fish too young or small to be taken to market. This
leads to waste as millions of dead fish are chucked back into the
sea every year and fish stocks dwindle.
Solution: SafetyNet uses a series of rings to offer young and
unmarketable fish an escape route from the trawler net. The rings
utilise kinetic energy to create exit signs and guide fish to
safety.
Patrick Moloney, Senior Dyson design engineer said: "SafetyNet
approaches the problem of overfishing in a simple way, appealing to
the natural responses of fish. Dan has taken the problem back to
the root, analysed the issue in depth and applied a simple problem
solving approach."
Spain - Hop
Problem: Suitcases are heavy and cumbersome. Lugging one around
an airport is usually a frustrating precursor to a holiday.
Solution: Hop follows its owner obediently by detecting signals
from the owner's mobile phone. Using these signals it keeps at a
constant distance from its owner.
Belgium - Baridi
Problem: In Africa approximately 40% of the harvested fruit and
vegetables are spoiled due to bad transportation and lack of
cooling.
Solution: Baridi is a transportable climate chamber which
maintains a suitable temperature for the transportation of
harvested crops without expensive, power consuming cooling. It is
powered using water and the sun, prolonging the shelf life from one
or two days to more than a week. This reduces the loss of crops to
only 5% and can increase the profit by approximately 450%.
Australia - O2 Pursuit
Problem: With an ever increasing global population,
environmental impact and sustainability become more and more
difficult to keep under control.
Solution: O2 pursuit is a motorbike which replaces petrol with
air, using a Rotary Air engine. This engine is powered by air which
is compressed using solar and wind energy.
Austria - Tooth hero
Problem: Maintaining good oral hygiene in young children is
important but can be difficult and time consuming.
Solution: Tooth hero is a device for children, which creates an
interactive game encouraging the act of oral and dental hygiene
among children.
Malaysia - Air Go
Problem: Economy cabins in aeroplanes date back to the late
1960s. Travelling in economy is often uncomfortable and can create
back and circulatory problems.
Solution: Air Go is a low-cost approach to re designing economy
cabin giving the passenger more room, and a more comfortable
flight. The back of the chair uses a flexible strong nylon mesh
allowing the chair to mould to the shape of your back reducing
fatigue and overheating. Three motors allow the chair to be adapted
to the perfect reclining position eliminating back and neck
pain.
Germany - Plasma Hygiene System
Problem: Hygiene within medical environments is increasingly
important as more advanced treatments evolve.
Solution: Using low-temperature-plasma, this system creates a
simple but very effective method for maintaining good hygiene
conditions within a hospital environment. This eliminates the use
of hand sanitizers, reducing waste and preventing the spread of
infection and disease.
USA - Human powered refrigeration
Problem: Most vaccines need to be kept refrigerated between 2
and 8 degrees Celsius (PoweringHealth.org). Any temperatures
outside that strict range are unacceptable. This is a problem in
developing nations where electricity is limited. The World Health
Organization reports that vaccine wastage rates may be as high as
50% in some cases.
Solution: At an estimated unit cost of $50, O2 pursuit creates
an environment that keeps vaccines at an optimum temperature
preventing medication spoiling due to heat and keeping costs low in
developing countries. This works through kinetic energy that
charges a battery powering the unit to keep the medication
cool.
Ireland - U-neat
Problem: Hygiene in hospitals remains a high importance to
prevent the risk of bacteria and disease spreading between patients
and visitors.
Solution: U-neat is a furniture unit which incorporates a seam
free filleted surface eliminating corners for bacteria to build and
facilitate easy cleaning. This unit also provides hygienic seating
for patients, creating a controlled and clean environment for
visitors.
Stephen Courtney, Head of New Product Innovation at Dyson said:
"Paddy has investigated an issue that he has experienced firsthand.
With U-Neat, the production method is tailored to the function. By
rotary moulding ABS plastic, the U-neat is seam free which
eliminate corners for bacteria to thrive in."
New Zealand - Axolotl
Problem: The harvesting of wood and natural materials is
required to fulfil demand for producing fuel. It is essential that
we develop more sustainable methods. Current harvesting methods
require return visits to a forest, causing soil erosion and damage
to surrounding trees.
Solution: Axolotl is a machine that allows the act of felling
trees to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This
machine allows trees to be cut right from ground level, feeding
them straight into a machine. This extraction process can then
return needles to the soil for nutrients, while the branches
gathered in a separate container can be re-used as an alternative
energy fuel.
Russia - Blitz
Problem: Preparing food for cooking is time consuming. Busy
lifestyles mean that everyday tasks need to become quicker and
easier.
Solution: BLITZ users a series of lasers to cut food into any
shape or size required. Food is placed into a container and the
user can programme the laser to cut as required. No needless mess
and no need for knives and a chopping board.
Stephen Courtney, Head of New Product Innovation at Dyson said:
"Today lasers are commonly used in most medical disciplines but
Blitz takes a different angle. Although this device eliminates the
dangers of cooking with sharp knives Blitz's technology shows how
industrial technology can be applied to many more every day
frustrations."
France - Tostit
Problem: Existing toasters allow toasted bread to cool quickly
and can use an unnecessary amount of energy.
Solution: This device optimises the rising heat produced by the
toaster keeping the toast hot and crispy whilst reducing the amount
of energy consumed.
Patrick Moloney, Senior Dyson design engineer said: "This
invention really touches on an everyday frustration. Toasters have
barely been touched since the early 20th century. It utilises the
heat it produces well in order to save energy but create something
simple and very effective."
Singapore - MK1 Scavenger
Problem: With growing populations rubbish and waste in rivers
becomes a growing problem and particularly difficult to
contain.
Solution: Scavenger MK1 is a remote controlled vessel that
collects rubbish and other waste on the water's surface. With this
use of a camera and remote control the operator can control the
boats direction and the capacity of the vessel. This reduces the
number of workforce needed and creates a safer environment to work
in.
Switzerland - Accolade
Problem: Wheelbarrows are frustratingly lacking in capacity.
They tend to be too small for the task at hand and overflow with
loose debris and soil when manoeuvred.
Solution: By turning the wheelbarrow into a two-wheeled trolley
with a removable tarpaulin holding system, Accolade is able to
contain a much higher volume of material, and is easier to load and
unload. Less spills and more material in the bag.
Japan - Water Support Bottle
Problem: Accessible clean drinking water is essential in our
everyday lives. Some less developed countries are unable to provide
everyone with safe drinking water which causes dehydration, and can
lead to heat stroke.
Solution: Using a built in water filter this water bottle is
able to provide clean drinking water where there is not a safe
source of water available. Not only does this provide drinking
water but this device also incorporates a cover that can be used as
a support for an injury on your wrist or ankle. This too contains a
cooling gel that is not only able to cool the water inside the
bottle but be applied to someone experiencing heat stroke and
reduce the swelling from an injury.
Patrick Moloney, Senior Dyson design engineer said: "A great
deal of thought has gone into considering every potential situation
that this bottle might find itself. The bottle is going to come
under serious stress on its journey but is robust and well
designed."
Holland - ReWired
Problem: Rooms used for different functions require varying
lighting styles to create the right environment. With fixed ceiling
lighting this becomes extremely difficult.
Solution: Using a cable and pully system, ReWired enables you to
adjust the location of a ceiling light.
Stephen Courtney, Head of New Product Innovation at Dyson said:
"Rewired is wonderfully simple. The technology it is using is not
groundbreaking - but it is well executed. It puts the user in
complete control, a growing expectation."
Italy - Ginkgo
Problem: Umbrellas can be unreliable, heavy and fragile whilst
creating a large amount of waste.
Solution: Gingko is an umbrella made from polypropylene, a light
and strong plastic. This can reduce an umbrella by 80% in size,
increasing the reliability preventing the umbrella from turning
inside out and simplifying the production.
Stephen Courtney, Head of New Product Innovation at Dyson said:
"Umbrellas are too often designed to be disposable. Gingko is a
clever way of reimagining the problem and using stronger rather
than cheap materials to bolster the structure."
A further 38 projects will go through to the next stage of the
competition, these are listed below.
Medical and Safety
U-Neat, Tooth-hero, ISO play, Manche secur-IT, Dentassist,
Microlab, Smart Aid, Skyway, EM Tracker, Koriolis Centerfuge,
Emergency Air Drop, Plasma Hygiene System, Human Powered
Refrigeration, Blind assistance technology buckle, Revival vest,
NiVibro, Fil'o, Blitz, Water Support Bottle, Lati, Thadeus, EEL
Barrier, Beo, HiKlimb, The BETH project, OttoClave, Medical
Humidifier, Alto.
Transport
S-Cargo, Air Go, Hop, Hydrodynamic damper of bridge
oscillations.
Environment, Surroundings and Sustainability
Baridi, SafetyNet, Out of thin Air, Desalador Portatil, Axoltl,
Re-Wired, Scavenger MK 1, 02 Pursuit, Tostit, E-Source, Stephoe,
Gingko, Accolade, Bicyclean, Balde a Balde: Safe Aqua, GiraDora:
Safe Aqua, LOUIS.
Education
Reach and Match
The James Dyson Award
-- This year's competition saw over 700 entries for the international prize
from 18 countries.
-- The James Dyson Award is run by the James Dyson Foundation, a registered
charity supporting design, technology and engineering education, medical
research charities and local community projects. The James Dyson
Foundation works with schools and universities around the UK and
internationally.
-- The award was open to any student of product design, industrial design
or design engineering (or graduate within four years of graduation) who
is studying or studied in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France,
Germany, Holland, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia,
Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA.
-- Toronto's Michal Prywata and Thiago Caires were the 2011 Canadian
National Winners for their one-of-a-kind product AMO Arm - a prosthetic
limb that is controlled using brain signals. AMO Arm replaces an
invasive, costly and lengthy surgical procedure, dramatically improving
the quality of life for amputees.
-- This year Dyson have employed 100 more engineers and by the end of the
year this figure will have doubled. Graduate design engineers,
mechanical engineers and acoustic engineers are among those joining the
UK team. Several previous award winners and runners-up have gone on to
be employed by Dyson.
Key Dates:
18th October - The international finalists of the James Dyson
award will be announced. All of these projects will go through to
the final stages of the award for a chance to win GBP 10,000.
8th November - The International James Dyson Award winner will
be announced. The winner will receive: GBP 10,000 (for the student
or the team) and GBP 10,000 for the winner's university department.
There will be 2 runners up for the overall James Dyson award will
receive GBP 2000 each.
For more information on the work of the James Dyson Foundation
and news visit www.facebook.com/JamesDysonFoundation or
www.twitter.com/JDF_Tweets.
Follow this link to the 'opening of entries' YouTube video for
the JDA 2012.
The 2013 James Dyson Award will open for entries in early 2013 -
visit www.jamesdysonaward.org for more information.
To view the first photo associated with this release, please
visit the following link:
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To view the second photo associated with this release, please
visit the following link:
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To view the third photo associated with this release, please
visit the following link:
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Contacts: For interviews or further information on the James
Dyson Award, please contact: Strategic Objectives Nadine Rashad
(416) 366-7735 x269 or Toll-Free:
1-866-366-7733nrashad@strategicobjectives.com Strategic Objectives
David Weinstein (416) 366-7735 x231 or Toll-Free:
1-866-366-7733davidw@strategicobjectives.com Strategic Objectives
Debra Quinn (416) 366-7735 x236 or Toll-Free: 1-866-366-7733
www.jamesdysonaward.org www.facebook.com/JamesDysonFoundation