Innovative design to help UK bee population puts DMU student in finals of national design competition

A desire to help the UK's bee population flourish has seen a De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) student shortlisted for a national design award.

Joe Shade is one of six students from around the country to make it to the final of the annual Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) competition - the longest running competition of its kind for university students.

This year, students were invited to design independently powered products made primarily of plastics, capable of being used off-grid and targeted at either the domestic or sports and leisure markets.

Joe's design is a smart beehive which can monitor and provide information about the bees' wellbeing. The device checks on the beehive environment - including temperature and humidity - as this can affect the level of productivity.

The more productive the bees are, the more pollination takes place and the more plants reproduce.

The exact details of how the product works are to remain secret at the moment due to possible patents.

Joe, who is in his final year studying a BA in Product Design, said: "I was thrilled when I saw the message. My face lit up. To be honest, I never expected this. I am delighted."

Joe says he has taken full advantage of the opportunities on offer at DMU for students to prepare for their careers.

"I attended a 3-D printing internship which was incredible, I have been a course rep, I have contributed a report as part of a research project and then I took a year out on an enterprise placement, all thanks to the Careers Team, especially Patrick McLintock," he explained.

"The Product Design tutors are also incredible. I'd like to thank all of them. The DIP competition entry was even part of a course module so I entered the competition as part of my degree."

All six finalists have been invited to attend a two-day plastics processing training course at the UK headquarters of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, a world-leading manufacturer of injection moulding machines.

The DIP judges have also provided each finalist with feedback and areas for improvement, so they can refine their products before May 24.

During the final judging, the products will be carefully evaluated and the results will be announced at a prize-giving ceremony in London on July 5.

Chairman of the DIP Judging Panel, Richard Brown, praised the range and creativity of ideas as well as the quality of the products.

"The final six have interpreted the brief in innovative ways, made good use of materials and demonstrated that they have researched their subject thoroughly in order to create their solution. We are very much looking forward to seeing them at the final judging session in London," he said.

The DIP competition is headline sponsored by Covestro, the global polymer materials manufacturer, The Worshipful Company of Horners, The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and is supported by leading organisations in the fields of product design and injection moulding.

Sustainability is one of the key considerations applied by the DIP judges when critiquing the many designs submitted. Students entering the competition are asked to show evidence that a clear understanding of the principles of sustainability has been applied to their design. This is reinforced in the briefs produced each year.

DIP works with the British Plastics Federation which, via its member groups and expert committees, is championing several sustainability initiatives at different stages of the supply chain - including design - to achieve a circular plastics economy.

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