Afghanistan, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) caused over 50% of combat casualties. The combination of wounds caused by an IED together with damage to the lungs severely compromises the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to vital tissues. Since if anything the ‘Golden Hour’ is even more relevant here than in civilian cases, making oxygen available on the front line would be a decisive step in improving survival rates and outcomes.

Since other forms of oxygen are impractical on the front line, our response was to design an integrated oxygen concentrator with a lightweight engine to create a highly efficient and extremely compact oxygen source. The unit can be run on a range of fuels, including standard diesel.

Oxygen concentrators are routinely used to provide oxygen to patients with a chronic illness. By cycling the air pressure in chambers filled with a gas absorbing substance, atmospheric oxygen can be concentrated to 95% purity.

CDP’s development has involved working with expert users to understand the requirements for the system, creating a laboratory demonstrator capable of producing high purity oxygen to be produced using both butane and diesel fuels and defining a feasible technical specification for a developed system.
The oxygen concentrator system has broader applications in disaster relief where mains power is not available. More specifically, the engine technology could also be used as an attractive electrical power source for the dismounted soldier.

Skills Deployed
•Technology scouting
•User needs and concept matching
•System design
•Laboratory testing

“The Ministry of Defence has asked the Cambridge Design Partnership to ready the technology for the battlefield” Waseem Mirza, BBC

Winner – Defence and Security Category
The Engineer Technology and Innovation Awards 2011

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The design process was challenged by the apparently conflicting needs of garment protection, and minimized weight and size.

Starting with core user needs and insights, then research and testing, CDP worked through a iterative prototype path to develop an elegant, lightweight luggage solution which protects and supports expensive office clothing.

A novel configuration of soft compartments and bolsters, dimensionally optimised and integrated into a lightweight compact shell structure enabling protected transportation of everything required for the office day.

Suitpack transforms into a convenient changing station so you can quickly and easily exchange commuting gear for work wear in the shower room.

And it’s not just cyclists who will benefit from Suitpack. Budget flights and the Eurostar means that much of Europe is now close enough for short trips, and frequent meetings abroad. The Suitpack is within hand luggage dimensions as so can avoid baggage check in and is therefore ideal for short business trips.

Skills Deployed
•User Research
•Industrial Design
•Prototyping
•Engineering

Technical Highlights
•Crease minimised folding
•Optimised dimensional configuration
•Integrated high visibility safety LED light
•Solar charging panel to power LEDs

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Cambridge Design Partnership sourced a new label material that had the adhesive and flexibility needed to solve the reliability problem but it presented a major automation challenge. The label was much too flexible for existing ‘peel and present’ systems to work. CDP found an innovative solution and created IP that the label material supplier Brady has subsequently licensed.

The automated label application system is capable of printing and labelling one vial every in 2 seconds with a stable and permanent label.

Skills Deployed

•Automated handling & manipulation of challenging materials
•Electro mechanical design & integration
•Software integration with IT systems
•Prototyping
•Printer technologies

Technical Highlights

•Process automation
•Product development
•Prototype development
•Verification testing and user trials
•Environmental testing
•Crease minimised application
•Improved adherence
•Rapid throughput enabling increased efficiency

“Presented good ideas and a good business model, communication is open and honest”
Adam Cleverly, Abcam.

www.abcam.com

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A significant problem is malnutrition, a condition which initially impacts lifestyle, then health and finally independence. It can drive a series of self reinforcing problems including poor mental state and increasing frailty. These can intensify into preventable medical problems and accidents which require involved support and long term care.

CDP have developed an innovative new food preparation device and smart packaging system targeted at enhancing quality of life through improved nutrition.

A new user-centred appliance interface (focusing on safety and ease of use), smart packaging (communicating raw ingredients and optimising preparation cycle), and concept supply chain are the foundations of an integrated service solution. The system provides a ‘one touch’ route to appetising and economical fast food using fresh ingredients.

Although particularly beneficial for an ageing population, our inclusive design approach means that the concept which delivers soups, stews, purees, baby foods and smoothies has the potential for much wider cross-generational appeal.

Business Innovation
•Opportunities from emerging trends
•New value and supply chain concept
•Merging product and services

Skills Deployed
•User centred and inclusive design
•Industrial Design and product semantics
•Engineering
•Structural packaging design
•Human Factors

Technical Highlights
•Integrated product-packaging solutions
•Smart packaging communications technology
•Technical advances in blade safety

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The challenge lay in making the product easy and safe to install in the meter cupboard – a location that can be unfamiliar to many householders.

CDP quickly came up with an effective design for a clip-on device to measure mains voltage as well as derive power from the connection, eliminating the need for batteries. These clips connect directly to the conductors in the mains cables, unlike the more typical non-contact current sensors found in many energy monitoring products.

Within a few months, a patent application was filed for CDP’s design. This enabled Navetas to introduce their “Energy Monitor” product – a unit that can be installed without isolating the electricity supply to a property, and with no need for a qualified electrician. Once fitted, it monitors how much energy each electrical appliance in the house uses, by analysing mains waveforms at a single point. It does not rely on any sensors or socket adaptors around the home, allowing it to monitor fixed installations such as ceiling lights and storage heaters.

During the same period, CDP undertook another development for a table-top in-home display, to supplement Navetas’ internet browser-based Online Energy Monitor. Using a touch-screen over a vibrantly coloured LCD display, this custom panel indicates total and disaggregated energy use to the consumer, in £, kWh, CO2. The unit is enabled by ZigBee wireless technology, and receives data from the Energy Monitor. It can also provide speech output to the visually impaired.

Less than a year from initial concept, these products are to be trialled in the field, attracting keen interest from prospective customers.

www.navetas.com

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CDP was responsible for inventing the key component of the product – a reliable low-power water sensor made from low-cost electronic components, with the heart of the detection method implemented in the embedded software.

From initial concept to collaborating with the factory in China to develop working prototypes and production processes, CDP was closely involved. Building on an ongoing relationship with the factory, CDP was able to help accelerate the product to market.

What others have said:

“Whether you want family members to spend less time in the shower for ecological reasons, for the sake of basic parsimony or just because of the absurd time they spend in there, this is for you.”
FT: How To Spend It – Oct ‘10

“…we love the Waterpebble’s simplicity and its unique way of teaching users to save water.”
Review on inhabitat.com

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