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The James Dyson Award 2019 opens for entries

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the James Dyson Award, and the 15th year of empowering the next generation of engineers to solve the problems that will impact their future.

Each year we challenge students and recent graduates, across 27 countries, to design something that solves a problem, and create the next innovative and ingenious invention to be awarded £30,000.

Solving real problems

The best entries provide a clear and intelligent solution to a real-world problem. Past winners have sought to address food waste, water conservation, pollution, medical treatment in developing countries and sustainability across all industries. We also see entries from an array of engineering disciplines, from software, mechanical, aeronautical, biomedical to design engineering.

The 2018 International Winner, O-Wind Turbine, addresses sustainable energy generation in urban environments with a new type of wind turbine that captures wind flowing in every direction.

James Dyson says: “Young engineers and designers have perspective and unbridled intelligence that makes them incredibly adept at problem solving. Their ideas can easily be dismissed, but if nurtured and celebrated they are transformative. Developing a product or technology is a long and daunting process; the James Dyson Award celebrates the inventive young people embarking on that process. The Award champions our next generation of inventors and will propel them towards future success. I am excited to see what surprising ideas this year’s award brings.”

Boosting opportunities

The award has given young inventors international media exposure which has opened up further investment and opportunities for them to develop their ideas. Past winners such as Petit Pli, expandable clothing for children, and Mimica, a bio-reactive food label, have been launched into successful businesses, and the inventors of O-Wind Turbine were approached by investors soon after winning the award.

“Winning the international James Dyson Award has validated our concept. The attention we’ve received so far has given us the confidence to see the development of this concept as a future career. Already we are in discussions with investors and we hope to secure a deal in the coming months.” O-Wind Turbine inventors, Nicolas Orellana and Yaseen Noorani.

University engagement

Dyson engineers help us to promote the James Dyson Award at over 100 universities around the world, from the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea to the USA, through problem-solving workshops. We aim to inspire and empower the students to develop their ideas, inventions and designs by entering the award.

Entries close on the 11 July 2019

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