From Waste Streams June/July 2006
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
The 2006 Australian Design Award-Dyson Student Award winners were announced on 19th May 2006.
Among the top 12 finalists was a dishwasher uses less water than hand washing and no detergent and a device that is intended to provide a reliable supply of clean water in developing countries. Included in the 21 short listed finalists was a grey water recycling system designed to reduce household water consumption. The Gold award was won by University of New South Wales student Tricia Ho for her ergonomically designed violin; a silver award went to University of South Australia student, Liam Fudali for his Flex – an improved harmless design for self-contained breathing apparatus; and Julie Frost’s water purifier took out the bronze award.
Steam Dishwasher
The ‘Swash’ dishwasher, designed by University of Technology Sydney student Alexandra Gilmour, Combines nanotechnology and high temperature steam and is claimed to be the first sustainable, self-sufficient dishwashing solution that sterilizes and reduces water usage. The unit won’t need to be connected to mains water - it wi8ll use only 6 L of water stored in an internal reservoir to do its cleaning, The water will be filtered, purified and returned to the reservoir with minimal loss, so the same water can be reused several times before it has to be toped up. “My aim was to develop a new cleaning method an innovative solution to existing models that would reduce water usage/wastage and provide a hygienically clean result. This was achieved by using high temperature steam as a cleaning agent which eliminates detergent use and nanotechnology for continual water filtration for reuse,” Alexandra said. “I wanted something that could be bought off the shelf like a microwave and all you had to do was take it home, find some bench space, plug it in and fill it with water.” She said.
Solar Water Purifier
Julie Frost’s water purifier design, Mvura is a household water purifier intended for use in developing countries such as Africa. Designed to be carried on the head the device can transport, purify, then store and dispense the water, reducing the risk of recontamination. This multi-function capability is possible because of the way it is designed. Solar energy is used in the purification pasteurisation process which requires the water to be heated to 65c. This is sufficient to kill all common bacteria. With its larger flat shape, the purifier maximises the potential surface area exposed to the sun rays combined with a minimum depth of water for the rays to pass through. It is insulated on the top by an air gap and on the bottom by a foam casing. Together these serve to create a product that takes less then two hours to heat 15 L of water to the required temperature. A wax melts at 65c to indicate that the water is pure. The purifier has a curved base which fits the profile of the head. The wide lip around the top gives the hand a good grip when lifting the container onto the head and handles incorporate into the band aid carrying. When the container is closed and filled with water, there will be no room for the water to ‘slosh’ about.
Grey Water Recycling System
Mandy Burns developed a Dual Wastewater Shower Diverter the consists of an interior grate which is located on the shower floor and allows residents to divert shower wastewater into separate locations through out their homes, for onsite grey water recycling, such as irrigation, laundry washing and toilet flushing.
Other Award finalists included : Wheeled Mobility for paraplegics who lived independently ; Medi-Vest ; Mardi; Water Pod; Kiss Tile (keep it simple solar tile); an ovarian cancer screening device; Mantra Kitesurfing Bar; and Insulaid.
“The Australian Design Award-Dyson Student Award is an incredible program that puts student talents under the spotlight and provides a bridge from academia to industry,” says Stephanie Watson, Manager of the Australian Design Awards. The students have produced some innovative products the incorporate sustainable design features and offer benefits to the end user.
