Made to last: Product life extension through emotional durability

We are in an age of incontrovertible climate change, yet efforts to tackle this crisis have largely focussed on the adoption of renewable energy generation and energy efficiency. This research will instead focus on the vast amounts of embedded carbon emissions within the design of products by tackling the ever-growing problem of eWaste through circular design and emotionally durable design. Consumers are continuously replacing and scrapping electronics that is growing three times faster than any other type of waste in the EU, Greenpeace (2015). In an effort to challenge this paradigm of consumption Chapman (2005) proposed Emotionally Durable Design as a theory and design strategy to encourage people to keep products for longer. The research will be underpinned by Emotionally Durable Design and qualitative mixed methodologies to uncover the reasons why people form attachments with certain products. Forming an attachment with a product is created over time and the longer a product is owned the more likely feelings of sentimentality and nostalgia will form, Page (2014). It is this attachment that can form between a user and their product that can be meaningful enough for the user to delay or prevent product replacement. This attachment research will then inform the design and development of new sustainable products that are designed with the whole product life cycle in mind through the consideration of sustainable materials that improve with age and can work within circular business models for long term sustainability

Design, development, and prototyping of a bike chain & gear mechanism cleaning product

Aim of this project is to design, develop, and prototype a new Chain & Gear Mechanism Guard for cleaning bicycles. Sentini Marine managers “Gareth Bransby and Jon Lee have contacted to the University of Huddersfield, Enterprise and Innovation Centre to find a design solution to their initial ideas to find a low cost manufacturing method for their bike chain cleaning product. They were introduced by the Product Design team after the initial meeting. Dr Ertu Unver met the Sentini team initially and agreed to carry out design and development work. Academic staff Robert Silkstone and David Swann also joined the team. A Santander Voucher was awarded to fund this research and development

A device suitable for protecting and / or allowing cleaning of a bike and / or vehicle component and method of use thereof: technical report

The Brake Shield is an innovative new product for cleaning and maintaining the moving parts of a bicycle drive train and is the only one of its kind. It has a simple yet effective design of a polypropylene barrier that sits between the spokes and the cassette to protect your disc brakes and wheel rims whilst cleaning and/or lubricating of the gearing and drive train is undertaken. The nature of the product allows this difficult and unpleasant task to be performed in a quick, tidy and efficient manner. Many people just ignore this part of their bike; they put up with a muddied cassette and chain, either cleaning them periodically, maybe monthly, or just replacing them when they become unworkable which is wasteful and unsustainable. With the Brake Shield 'little and often' cleaning is made simpler and easier. The Brake Shield's innovative tray catches all the cleaning fluid, dirt and oil, allowing this dirty task to be undertaken anywhere without making a mess. A more formal abstract taken from the Patent Application Publication: A device is provided for protecting, allowing cleaning, servicing and / or lubrication of one or more components of a bike or vehicle in use. The device is formed from at least one blank of material including a first portion arranged to act as a shield element so as to at least partially shield at least one component of the vehicle or bike in use, and at least a second portion. The second portion includes at least one wall joined to the first portion by at least one fold line. The at least one wall and fold line are arranged such that when the second portion is assembled and / or erected in use it defines a tray or container portion joined to the first portion

A device suitable for protecting and / or allowing cleaning of a bike and / or vehicle component and method of use thereof.

The Brake Shield is an innovative new product for cleaning and maintaining the moving parts of a bicycle drive train and is the only one of its kind. It has a simple yet effective design of a polypropylene barrier that sits between the spokes and the cassette to protect your disc brakes and wheel rims whilst cleaning and/or lubricating of the gearing and drive train is undertaken. The nature of the product allows this difficult and unpleasant task to be performed in a quick, tidy and efficient manner. Many people just ignore this part of their bike; they put up with a muddied cassette and chain, either cleaning them periodically, maybe monthly, or just replacing them when they become unworkable which is wasteful and unsustainable. With the Brake Shield 'little and often' cleaning is made simpler and easier. The Brake Shield's innovative tray catches all the cleaning fluid, dirt and oil, allowing this dirty task to be undertaken anywhere without making a mess. A more formal abstract taken from the Patent Application Publication: A device is provided for protecting, allowing cleaning, servicing and / or lubrication of one or more components of a bike or vehicle in use. The device is formed from at least one blank of material including a first portion arranged to act as a shield element so as to at least partially shield at least one component of the vehicle or bike in use, and at least a second portion. The second portion includes at least one wall joined to the first portion by at least one fold line. The at least one wall and fold line are arranged such that when the second portion is assembled and / or erected in use it defines a tray or container portion joined to the first portion

A lock shielding door handle that sits flush to the case

This lock shielding handle will sit flush with its casing until presented with a key fob specific to that handle. The handle will then push out and extend uncovering the cylinder lock, and allowing conventional entrance into the household

A door lock only accessible from one side at a time

A retrofit replacement to a Euro profile cylinder lock, ideal for secondary doors which are rarely accessed from the outside of a property

Using light and sound to make a house seem occupied

Presence is a stand-alone product that attaches into a light bulb fixture in between the fixture and the light bulb. Presence responds to a doorbell and door knock by playing household sounds and also turns the light on and off at random or present intervals to give the perception that the house is occupied

Scalp Cooling Cap Design Using Anthropometric & 3D scan data

Huddersfield University experts received a number of awards for design and development of a scalp cooling cap which could reduce hair loss in cancer patients. The brief was to redesign the cap so it is a better fit – vital if the device is to be effective – and can be mass-manufactured, making it more economical. The cap developed fits the head more efficiently and improved flow pattern of the coolant. The team did extensive research into head sizes and used 3D technology to develop a new design and now granted two internationals and two UK patents. The new cap uses 3D printed tooling technologies for mass manufacturing of lightweight silicone material

Design and Development of a Medical Product Using 3D Technologies: Scalp Cooling Cap Design Case Study

Hair loss is a well-known side effect of many chemotherapy regimens, with many patients claiming it is the most traumatic aspect of their treatment. Scalp cooling provides the only real alternative to hair loss resulting in a high level of retention or complete hair preservation, improving patients’ self-confidence and creating positive attitudes towards treatment. The aim of the project was to redesign a scalp cooling cap so it fits patients better, it also had to be mass manufactured and have an improved flow pattern of the coolant that cools the head. The new cap uses 3D printed tooling technologies and will pave the way for mass manufacture using lightweight silicone sheet so the scalp cooling cap is soft and flexible - providing a snug, comfortable cap during treatment moulding to all head shapes and sizes

Design and Development of Alternative Vectorthotic Insole: Technical Report

This CVF funded product design and development project for orthotic range aspires to be as effective as a functional foot orthotic. It is adaptable and customisable to meet the needs of the busy clinical environment as an off the shelf solution. Healthy Step has a successful foot orthotics and rehabilitation range. There is a growing area of business in the private market and internet sales. There is a perceived opportunity to develop a new brand of devices based upon the existing range that: • Exude quality and performance – and would therefore carry a higher price point • Are only available to clinics and clinicians – allowing clinics to set their own prices and be unaffected by Healthy Step’s direct to patient internet sales. • Are not available direct to the patients. • Focus on the business aspirations of the clinician and/or their practice. • Allowing them to realise greater profit by “selling”/prescribing quality, branded, performance devices that deliver adaptable clinical treatments with a quality retail feel and offering. Heel, ball and arch orthotic components of the existing vectorthotic were improved during the this project. Completion was a great live experience for the team although some issue with the printing tolerances as it had an impact on the first phase of iterations especially the snap fit parts of the orthotic but with product testing and feedback from the client these were overcome. The project resulted the company investing in a mid range 3D printing device and relevant software & hardware,an a placement student. They also start offering customized products and bespoke 3D printing services to their customers