Northumbria University students show off inventions

Jun 12 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

“It also offers an ideal opportunity for generating revenue through advertising and sponsorship,” said Will. Northumbria’s product design technology degree course combines engineering and design skills and students’ work in now on display at the university campus in the Graduate Show for the School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences.

Dr Bill Fleming, course leader for product design technology at Northumbria, said: “Will’s Roost-r has the potential to fill a real gap in the market.”

And backpackers worldwide could benefit from a new multifunctional rucksack designed by Northumbria student Andrew Baird, 21, which also features in the show.

He developed the design following his own experience of travelling regularly with a rucksack and always struggling to keep his clothes and belongings tidy.

“Everything was always just rammed into my bag and was a total crumpled mess,” he said.

Andrew’s multifunctional backpack features a separate rear compartment for laptop storage, while the main section has a fully compartmentalised “wardrobe” storage system to keep clothes and belongings organised and easily at hand.

It features removable side pockets which can be unzipped quickly to provide a handy small bag.

Andrew said: “It means you can leave the backpack behind while sightseeing and use the small bag for carrying valuables such as passport, wallet and camera.”

Another of the show’s students Siu Ngai Wang, 27, was inspired to design an expandable luggage system .

Siu said: “My designs means that the small compact case which is the right size for hand luggage, can expand so you can carry a much larger load of luggage.”