Design input accelerates new technologies’ route to market

PA 150/09 Thermo-chromic window films which regulate room temperature; a heart and breathing rate monitor which could revolutionise the monitoring of babies during childbirth; and improved tests for food sensitivities and allergies are among innovations developed at The University of Nottingham highlighted by the Design Council's Innovate for Universities initiative. Innovate for Universities will bring teams of designers into the technology transfer offices of universities to help scientists and technologists accelerate the development of astonishing new applications for their research. The six participating universities won their place through a competitive entry process. They are Nottingham, Aberdeen, Cambridge, Leeds, University College London and York. Each has nominated four fledgling technologies that will be supported by intensive design mentoring for 12 months. The 24 new technologies include innovations addressing vital issues such as chronic disease, crime and the environment. Those from The University of Nottingham include: - Solar thermo-chromic films being developed by Professor George Chen and his collaborators at Wuhan University, China, offer the potential to reduce a reliance on air conditioning by utilising unique window coatings that change colour in reaction to external temperature.