Blog posts

WeDepave: Letting green spaces grow for urban tomorrow

In a resounding victory for sustainable urban development, Fanny Chavanne, a Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, MSc/MA Innovation Design Engineering (IDE) student, has been named the winner of the prestigious Veolia Ecological Transformation Trophies. Her end-of-studies work, “WeDepave – Design for depaving acceptance and adoption in urban environments,” secured the top position in the “Improving Quality of Life” category during a compelling pitch to a panel of Veolia experts on November 15. As a testament to her achievement, she was awarded a prize worth €2,200, acknowledging the value and potential impact of her work on urban environments.

The Ecological Transformation Trophies, hosted by Veolia, recognise initiatives that make significant contributions to environmental and ecological progress. Fanny stood out with her innovative project, WeDepave, which tackles climate change and enhances urban resilience through strategic depaving schemes. reducing flood risks, cooling down the air, and fostering biodiversity improving the health of the urban ecosystem as a whole.

WeDepave addresses the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of depaving, including the lack of understanding of its social, ecological, and economic impacts. The program empowers local councils with the tools and strategies needed to confidently initiate depaving projects. The collaboration with primary schools adds a unique dimension, turning pupils into citizen scientists and ambassadors for environmental conservation.

Fanny encapsulates the essence of WeDepave, stating, “Behind this project lies the question of transition and deconstruction design.” Her success underscores the pivotal role of design and innovation in not only conceiving solutions but also strategically implementing them for maximum impact.

As Fanny accepts the Veolia Ecological Transformation Trophy, she looks forward to advancing the implementation of WeDepave, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future for urban environments.

Celebrating Innovation and Ingenuity: The Unforgettable Summer Show 2023

From the 27th of June to the 2nd of July, a magnificent symphony of creativity, innovation, and sheer brilliance unfolded at Imperial College London’s main entrance. The occasion? The Summer Show 2023, where the talented minds of Innovation Design Engineering and Global Innovation Design Masters students showcased their final projects to the world.

The diversity of projects on display was nothing short of astonishing. Each exhibit was a testament to six months of relentless dedication, unwavering passion, and a drive to create positive change. These projects went beyond the conventional and ventured into uncharted territories, addressing challenges and opportunities that spanned a wide spectrum.

 

 

Project “Kuyil” explored the use of sound to convey information to help a 2-wheel rider understand the changes in environment & reduce the dependency on our eyes. Reach out if your interested to know more!

TOAD is a bi-lateral wearable device designed for amateur swimmers and water polo athletes suffering from shoulder injuries.

Mechamorphis explores the concept of ‘augmented makers’ – reimagining digital fabrication technologies (technologies that control tools through computers) to augment, rather than replace, human making abilities.

Squishifier is a creative platform for inflatable prototyping. The platform allows creatives to turn their 3D printers into prototyping tools for creating inflatables by sealing together, piercing and cutting through multiple layers of recyclable plastic sheets, such as food packaging materials.

Flow State exploring easier biomaterial 3D printing with vibration-based liquefaction.

CarveRL applies reinforcement learning to increase serendipity in fabrication. It ntegrates serendipitous accidents into small-scale manufacturing for designer makers to elevate the value of craftsmanship in computer-controlled processes.

These are just a few glimpses into the array of innovative projects that graced the show. Themes ranged from climate crisis response and healthcare design to inclusive design, haptic interfaces, and AI-driven feedback systems. The projects didn’t just represent design and engineering excellence; they embodied a fervent commitment to shaping a better world.

But the Summer Show was more than just a display of projects; it was an immersive experience. Visitors had the chance to interact with interactive prototypes, chat directly with the graduating students, and gain an authentic understanding of the potential behind each innovation.

Summer Show 2023

As the curtains fell on this extraordinary event, we extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed, visited, and supported the Summer Show 2023. This gathering of minds and ideas has sown seeds of inspiration that will undoubtedly blossom into impactful solutions in the future. Year after year, the anticipation builds as people from all walks of life eagerly await this showcase of creativity and ingenuity.

To explore all the projects showcased at our Summer Show, take a closer look at IDE and GID’s Instagram that feature all exceptional student projects; @idecourse and @gid.london.

Innovations in Design Engineering: Exploring the intersection of creativity and technical expertise

The Dyson School of Design Engineering is a dynamic and innovative department of Imperial College London. Established in 2014 with the generous support of the James Dyson Foundation, our school is dedicated to combining design thinking with engineering knowledge and practice to solve complex global challenges. We aim to create a culture of innovation and enterprise by emphasizing the values of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and societal impact.

Our mission is to educate and inspire a new generation of design engineers who will use their creativity and technical expertise to tackle the world’s most pressing problems. Our students are encouraged to think beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries and to work collaboratively to develop innovative solutions that have a positive impact on society and the environment. Through our interdisciplinary approach to education and research, we aim to equip our graduates with the skills and knowledge they need to become leaders in their field.

Bridging Disciplines

At the Dyson School of Design Engineering, we offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs that combine the latest advances in engineering, design, and entrepreneurship. Our courses are taught by world-class academics and industry experts who are passionate about innovation and excellence. In addition to our academic programs, we also offer a range of research opportunities that allow students to work on cutting-edge projects in collaboration with leading industry partners.

Building Partnerships for the Future

Developing practical skills and experience in the field of design engineering is at the core of what we do at the Dyson School of Design Engineering. We are committed to building strong partnerships with industry leaders who share our passion for innovative design and engineering. Our industry partners not only help us stay at the forefront of the latest trends and technologies, but they also play a key role in supporting the development of the next generation of design engineers and innovators.

Our placement partners are an essential part of this ecosystem, as they provide our students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in real-world settings. We work closely with our placement partners to ensure that our students have access to the latest tools, technologies, and resources, and we provide ongoing support throughout the placement process. By collaborating with our placement partners, we are able to offer our students a unique opportunity to develop their skills, build their network, and gain valuable experience that will help them succeed in their careers.

Beyond boundaries

We believe that design engineering is not just a discipline, but a way of thinking that can drive positive change in the world. Whether it’s developing new technologies to address climate change, improving healthcare outcomes through innovative medical devices, or creating sustainable solutions for food production and distribution, design engineers have the skills and mindset needed to make a real difference. At the Dyson School of Design Engineering, we are proud to be at the forefront of this exciting and dynamic field, and we look forward to shaping the future together with our students and partners.