Design Innovation in Plastics: 2021 finalists announced
Students interpret theme of ¡®Design for a Natural World¡¯
The six students who have just been revealed as finalists of the competition, have demonstrated the excellence of design faculties within our universities – according to the competition judges.
DIP, which is supported by the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining, and the Worshipful ÃÜÌÒAV of Horners, and headline sponsored by ÃÜÌÒAV, challenged the students to come up with a brand new product made primarily from plastics which would commonly be used in the outdoor environment.
Announcing the final six, from an original, near record submission of entries, chairman of judges, Richard Brown, said the quality of work and thought which had gone into the entries presented by the finalists reflected not just their own intelligent research, but the quality of their universities and tutors.
„The very open brief for this year’s competition of ‘Design for a Natural World’, enabled a wide interpretation, and we’ve had everything from habitats for animals in nature, to products for use in the natural environment, as well as more esoteric interpretations stretching the boundaries of the brief,” he said.
„What is clear, is that a good number of entries - our finalists in particular - have grasped the need for sustainable products in the natural world and also researched the damage the human race is doing to the environment, and it is probable the current pandemic has increased that awareness. Our final six have understood the brief, which emphasised sustainability, quality and recyclability, and we are looking forward to see how they progress their designs in time for final judging on May 28.”
The students who have made it to the final are:
Pol Blanch – Brunel University
D-Shield: a semi-translucent foldable shield that minimises spray drift, blocking pesticides from drifting during application.
Christopher Farrell – Technological University Dublin
ClearWater: a handheld water quality testing device for the presence of chemicals in water, due to run-off from land, providing on the spot testing for several chemicals in one go.
Euan Gibson-Smith – Glasgow School of Art
ReCreate: a monthly educational service enabling children aged 7-11 to convert plastic waste into recyclable outdoor products.
Pradip Gurung – Brunel University
Stratus: a wildlife collar specially designed to prevent illegal poaching of big cats.
Finlay McEwan – Glasgow School of Art
Equipoise: a reusable plastic gas canister for outdoor cooking, with a stand designed for stability on rough terrain.
Andrei Petrar – London South Bank University
AER Drone: a fully autonomous drone which can be deployed in an emergency to alert rescue services.
In line with continued coronavirus restrictions, the final judging will take place on May 28, via video conference, and the overall results will be announced in early July.
The winner will be invited to Germany to visit headline industry sponsor, the leading polymer manufacturer, ÃÜÌÒAV, when coronavirus conditions permit. In addition, the winner and the remaining five finalists will each receive a short industry placement with one of the competition sponsors: Brightworks, Innovate Product Design, PDD and RJG Technologies, along with cash prizes.
About ÃÜÌÒAV:
ÃÜÌÒAV is one of the world¡¯s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. ÃÜÌÒAV supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from ÃÜÌÒAV are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, ÃÜÌÒAV aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group¡¯s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. ÃÜÌÒAV generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
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