UL Student Shortlisted For Prestigious Design Award

Wednesday, 25 August 2010 13:07

Written by Noel Cotter

UL Student, James D'arcy has made the international shortlist for the prestigious James Dyson Design award for a revolutionary new oxygen-delivery system called Flo2w.

James D'Arcy, who graduated from the BSc Product Design and Technology this week, is one of 20 student inventors from across the world, who have been shortlisted for the grand prize of €12,000 plus €12,000 for the Product Design & Technology Department at UL.

James' invention is a new way of delivering oxygen to a patient. It eliminates many problems that are associated with the current device. The device is fitted on the patient's head using the adjustable headpiece that can be easily clipped on and off.

According to James "Flo2w eliminates the big, intimidating, one-size-fits-all mask that is currently being used. The subtle design makes the user feel as if they are not even wearing it. The oxygen is supplied to the patient through nasal tubing. The system integrates a new form of regulating oxygen in an innovative and easy way for both the patient and health care professional."

James has beaten off stiff competition from over 500 entries from 21 countries across the world to make the final 20. His is the only Irish entry to make the international shortlist.

Other inventions to make the global shortlist include an ultraviolet sportspack (Canada) that eliminates bacteria and odour from the user's shoe, the Copenhagan Wheel (USA) a cost-effective transportation system, which transforms existing bicycles quickly into hybrid electric-bikes with regeneration and real-time sensing capabilities and

The James Dyson Award is an international design award that celebrates, encourages and inspires the next generation of design engineers. It is run by the James Dyson Foundation, James Dyson's charitable trust, in 21 different countries. Both the winner and the design engineering department of their respective university or institute of technology receive a £10,000 (€12,000) cash prize.

The James Dyson Foundation is committed to encouraging more young people to take up design and engineering and James Dyson himself believes that this design competition goes a long way towards achieving this goal:

"We need to do more to support and celebrate the engineers of the future. Making things is not about grime and grease, but solving real life problems." James Dyson will announce the global winner on 5th October 2010