School of Design Research in TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions List
An invention developed by School of Design researcher, Professor Stephen Burkinshaw, has achieved second place in TIME magazines ‘The 50 Best Inventions of the Year’.
Professor Burkinshaw's 'virtually waterless washing machine' uses up to 90% less water than a normal washing machine, by drawing cleaning power from reusable, stain-absorbing nylon beads.
The availability of a commercial version next year could bring enormous environmental benefits. Commercial and household laundries in the UK use an estimated 455 million litres of water daily and those in America uses an estimated 1 trillion litres.
An additional benefit of the machine is that clothes come out almost completely dry, avoiding the need for tumble dryers.
Professor Stephen Burkinshaw is an internationally-recognised expert in the science of textiles and dyeing and founder of University spin-out company Xeros LTD, which secured funding and worked with major companies to commercialise their patented technology.
Posted in: University newsResearch and innovation