Sustainable design is to the fore in many of the innovations unveiled by Product Design Engineering students in Graduate Showcase 2020. From sustainable aquaculture to facilitating increased use of e-bikes and a sensitive and sustainable alternative to cremation, the students have addressed one of the greatest challenges facing today’s society. Elsewhere, medical innovations include improving patient experience following orthognathic surgery and a flexible joint to prevent extravasation in IV lines.
PDE graduates are currently working as global leaders in many different companies from Sam Smith at Apple to Scott McGuire – Global Engineering Director Dyson, Amy Corbett – Senior Design Manager Lego and Etienne Iliffe-Moon – Director of Industrial Design BMW. More recently graduate Dan Watson was a winner of the International Dyson award for his SafetyNet innovation for the fishing industry and Michael Tougher’s award-winning soundbobs musical learning system for children has attracted major investment.
The Product Design Engineering department has always been based on developing technology that improves the quality of life,” says Head of Department Craig Whitet. “Has there ever been a more important time to promote this message ?”
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“The world looks pretty different today than it did when I graduated, but I believe that it is with new challenges that PDEr’s truly thrive,” says Amy Corbett , Senior Design Manager,The LEGO Group. “We need creative thinkers, now more than ever, to find solutions to problems that didn’t even exist just a few months ago; individuals with the adaptability and leadership to overcome these problems, with the breadth of knowledge to make practical solutions that actually work. PDE will always have a special place in my heart. I consider it to be the catalyst to my career. It taught me to be brave. To always challenge the norm.”
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| Image: The design for FOWFAC |
In FOWFAC Louis Slorach has brought together two key elements of the move to sustainable living: energy and food production. He envisages a world where the government cracks down on unsustainable food production and retailers are required to emphasise the environmental impact of the production.
Working with experts in the offshore wind industry, Scottish Aquaculture and fishing sector, and specialists in innovation and technology he has proposed a system that at a local level would contribute to Scotland meeting its renewable targets with the integrated aquaculture funded from windfarm profits not public subsidy. At a global level he envisages a scenario where renewable energy sources begin to provide most of the world’s electricity and associated Aquaculture facilitates sees a decrease in meat eating.
“Aquaculture will need to provide an additional 30 million tonnes of seafood required by 2030 worldwide,” explain Louis. “A lack of available onshore sites means the only way for Scottish aquaculture to meet this demand is to move off shore. By creating an automated salmon, mussels and kelp farming systems this can be done sustainably at floating offshore wind farm sites.”
In Elecgo, Corrie Grant addresses the issue of how to increase use of urban e-bikes with an innovative Battery Swapping Charge Station.
“Through a diverse range of projects over 5 years of studio work I have seen how vastly applicable the design process is to problem solving in any sector,”says Chloe. User-centered project work has ignited my passion to tackle overlooked problems and use design to positively impact people’s lives.”
“Current share scheme e-bike charging options are either logistically difficult or create hefty operational expenses, and a pool of untapped value while the vehicles are recharging. These barriers prevent the widespread implementation of sustainable, shared e-mobility for cities of the future,” she adds.
In Eleccgo Chloe proposes a lamppost-connected charge station developed to provide a secure, on-site battery charging and swapping system. Batteries are housed in digitally locked, secure units with 24/7 self-service access for users of cycle hire schemes. The swapping model essentially provides ‘instant’ charging which boosts bike availability and revenue potential. A modular design allows quick install and is flexible to the changing demands of a city.
“Elecgo hopes to encourage the wider implementation of e-bikes into urban share schemes, further extending their accessibility and increasing sustainable transport for future carbon neutral cities,” says Chloe.
Morven Graham has approached a difficult topic, but one with heightened profile in the current climate – how to tackle lack of burial space and the high cost of cremation.
“Death is a topic that can’t just be approached with arm’s length academic interest because it affects us all existentially. It isn’t simply an event at the end of our lives; it’s the horizon against which our entire existence unfolds,” says Morven. “I needed to develop an understanding of current cultural practices and the meaning of the corpse and how it is treated. This was achieved through close conversation with various user groups and industry stakeholders.”
Morven’s design – Pdeceased – focuses on body composting, a process which transforms the deceased into soil. The body is placed inside a vessel, surrounded by sawdust and interred into a chamber. This provides the perfect environment for naturally occurring microbes to break down the body with aeration and slow rotation. The chambers and their glowing doors make up the future cemetery, one which is situated in the city and simplifies the current funeral process.
“This topic was vast and complex but hugely rewarding. It gave me the chance to develop a product that functions not only on a biochemical and mechanical level, but more importantly, on an emotional one. It opens up a conversation that I believe many of us need to have, and never more so than right now,” she adds.
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| Image: Novo, a design by Isobel Leason |
Isobel Leason has looked at a novel way of using ultrasound to help bones heal after facial surgery after undergoing the treatment herself two years ago.
Around 3,500 patients undergo orthognathic procedures in the UK every year. Following surgery there is a period of intermaxillary fixation where the jaws are banded shut. Patients are unable to eat or speak properly, and there is considerable facial pain, swelling and bruising.
“I’m interested in understanding and improving human experiences,” says Isobel. “My project focuses on improving patient experience following orthognathic (jaw) surgery.”
“After undergoing orthognathic surgery myself two years ago and having experience working in the orthodontic design and technology sector, I identified an opportunity for a patient focused solution which could improve clinical outcomes.”
“My design, Novo, is a wearable system which accelerates post-surgical healing. The reusable adhesive patches apply low intensity pulsed ultrasound to the surgical sites, which has been clinically proven to increase bone density and reduce pain. A shortened intermaxillary fixation period enables the patient to get back to normal life sooner,” she adds.
Isobel worked with patients and collaborated with the maxillofacial department at Glasgow Dental school, as well as members of the Centre for Medical and Industrial Ultrasonics at the University of Glasgow. Support was also awarded from the GU68 engineers trust.
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| Image: FlexIV, Emma Marie Magro’s design for IV lines |
Emma Marie Magro has addressed a key piece medical equipment in her design. FlexIV is a redesign of the intravenous cannula.
Up to 90% of all hospitalized patients will receive IV therapy. Therefore, cannulation of an intravenous device is the most commonly performed invasive medical procedure worldwide, however there are many complications that can occur which cause secondary illnesses.
“The accidental administration of an intravenous fluid into the subcutaneous tissue is dangerous for the patient,” says Emma Marie. “This is known as extravasation, which is mainly caused due to movement and instability of the intravenous cannula. Extravasation causes painful side effects, as well as permanent cosmetic damage, loss of function in limbs, and potentially fatalities.”
“flexIV. introduces flexibility to the device to prevent internal catheter movement. With patient comfort in mind as well as extravasation prevention, the user is free to move comfortably without the worry of the catheter becoming displaced.”
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| Image: Steph Parker’s TRI Seating |
How often have we wanted to sit down on a bench whilst waiting for a bus or train and then discovered it is wet? Steph Parker has created a design that will solve this problem: TRI Seating – a robust, comfortable and joyful alternative to conventional, utilitarian platform benches in transport hubs.
“I spent a large amount of time on the “discover” phase of the design, where I explored what joy and well-being really means to people and more specifically, where it is lacking in our daily lives” says Steph. “Providing a dry seat outdoors, whenever it is needed, is important and I also discovered that joy can be found within a subtle, pleasant touch or playful interaction. Being able to spark a moment of joy into someone’s day or distract them from the hard realities they may be facing, has the potential to positively impact their general mental wellbeing.”
Her design features a pulley system that enables the slats which create the seat and back to rotate. When the exposed surface is wet, the passenger simply turns the bars 60o to reveal a dry surface to sit on enabling them to relax and wait in comfort.
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See full details of off all these projects and more on the Graduate Showcase 2020 digital platform. https://gsashowcase.net and https://www.pdedegreeshow.com.
The graduating students will be able to develop their profiles on the platform for the next twelve months adding further work as it is produced.
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For further information contact:
Lesley Booth
07799414474
@GSofAMedia