Security through new eyes

A future ground breaking security concept could be the result of the Design Innovation in Plastics Award 2007.

Students registered on design and engineering courses are this year concentrating on the theme of "security" … and with so many young minds bringing a fresh look at security products the entries could point to new directions in product design.

The products have to use high performance polymers from Bayer MaterialScience as the predominant material.

Security Installer magazine is the media partner for the competition and among the panel of judges is Alex Carmichael, Director of Membership and Technical Support Service, British Security Industry Association.

The award was set up to encourage plastics design innovation in the UK's future designers. This year their challenge is to produce an inspiring design for a product or system that is related directly or indirectly to security.

New ways to solve problems

Possible applications will include CCTV surveillance products, active or passive anti-theft devices, alarm systems, emergency call systems, personal safety, security lighting, shoplifting detection, ID and biometric security.

The students must look at the products in a "fresh and meaningful way", showing an understanding of sustainabilty issues and environmental and social impact. Students are encouraged to creatively come up with new or untried ways of solving problems and consider the production processes that would be used.

The competition (announced in our September edition) is now underway and the winning entries will be featured in Security Installer after the competition next summer. The final six best product designs will receive their awards ceremony in London in June followed by an exhibition of winning and shortlisted designs in July at The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Carlton House Terrace, London.

Portfolio of materials

The competition is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students registered in the UK for the academic year 2006-07. Students have to complete an entry form which can be downloaded from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

Go to www.iom3.org, from the home page click "Students" then "Competitions".

Entry form deadline is October 20 and the deadline for the design submission is February 28 2007. Bayer MaterialScience (www.bayermaterialscience.com click on Business Units) has opened its entire portfolio of materials for use in the competition.

First prize is £1000 plus an expenses-paid overseas placement with Bayer MaterialScience, Germany, one of the world's largest producers of high performance polymers, plus £500 for the winner's university. Second prize is £500 plus a placement with PDD, London, leading product innovation consultancy and third prize is £250 plus a placement with DuPont, Geneva, a global leader in engineering polymers. Three more prizes offer a place on a polymer short course at London Metropolitan Centre, a placement with Hi-Technology Group and help from PTL "to take a winning design to commercialisation".

Organisers are The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and the Worshipful Company of Horners.