The panel of industry judges for the 2022 Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) competition, has praised the quality of entries they received in light of ongoing challenges university students have faced in the past year.
The six DIP finalists - just announced following preliminary judging - delivered “a number of innovative products” for the healthcare sector according to chairman of judges, Richard Brown.
Design Innovation in Plastics, supported by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, the Worshipful Company of Horners, and headline industry sponsor, Covestro, is the longest running plastics design competition of its kind for university undergraduates in the UK and Ireland.
Students were asked to design a product made primarily of plastics, for the healthcare sector, which can be used in demanding applications, but which also exploits the longevity of plastics.
Mr Brown said: “The fact these entries were produced during another abnormal year for the students is quite encouraging, and once again showcases the talent there is within the design faculties of the UK/Ireland universities. The judges were impressed with the interpretation of the brief, and felt the overall quality was high.”
In a lengthy day of deliberation, which produced “a good debate” amongst the judges as to how the students had interpreted the brief, a final six was selected as follows:
Daniele di Paolo, London South Bank University, with CIRRUS, a training aid to improve breathing
Charlie Gould-Hocking, Bangor University, with CRUTCH, an adjustable shower or bath stand for amputees
Zara King, Teeside University, with EASYMODE, a reusable bed pan
Dimitri McGrath Karvelis, London South Bank University, with ANAP, a double capacity inhaler
Kenneth Thornton, Edinburgh Napier University, with CATHETER BAG HOLD, a reusable portable catheter bag
Daniel Warren, London South Bank University, with CURA +, a burns kit for first responders
The finalists will be asked to present their products to the judges in London on May 27, with the final award ceremony, announcing the results, to take place on July 1.
Students are in with a chance of winning a top prize of £1,000, plus supporting cash prizes for their universities, and work placements for each finalist, with leading design and industry sponsors, who include Brightworks, Innovate Design, PDD and RJG Technologies.
Its clients include some of the world’s leading healthcare and consumer companies Beckton Dickinson (BD), Novartis, and Samsung as well as influential start-ups like AWAK and Trojan Energy.
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