Dezeen School Shows: a device designed to treat alopecia caused by chemotherapy is among the product design projects from the University of Nottingham.

Also featured is a massage therapy device that provides scar relief and an automated pill dispenser for children.

University of Nottingham

Institution: University of Nottingham
School: Faculty of Engineering
Courses: MEng Product Design and Manufacture, BEng Product Design and Manufacture, Product Design and Manufacture with an Industrial Year (BEng/MEng) and Product Design and Manufacture with Study Abroad (BEng/MEng)
Tutors: Alec Machin, Christopher Bradnum, Dan Garner, Emma Eilbeck, Glyn Lawson, Neil White, Peter Rothe, Richard Tew and Simon Harrison

School statement:

"The product design and manufacture programmes at the University of Nottingham have been specifically designed to provide a unique blend of engineering, manufacturing and design knowledge.

"This means that graduates have skills and knowledge that are highly sought after by industry. Many go on to lead design teams with University of Nottingham ranked third in the UK for top employers according to the High Fliers Graduate Report 2024.

"To prepare graduates for a career in industrial design, modern workflows and technologies are used in all areas including digital sketching, high-end rapid-prototyping and 3D-printing facilities, in addition to leading virtual reality equipment.

"Product design and manufacture programmes are taught and delivered by experienced designers, all of whom have industrial experience. Students also benefit from the knowledge of design consultants who are currently working in industry, through design studio sessions and feedback provided on project work.

"Project-based learning forms a core element of the curriculum. Student projects take a realistic and industry-focused approach to design, using the knowledge gained of manufacturing and engineering principles.

"Students develop products and components that are appropriate for mass manufacture and consider both sustainability and commercial factors."

Ritual Coffee Roaster by Josh Kessel

"Ritual is a countertop coffee roaster designed for the home kitchen. The product is designed for enthusiasts wishing to explore the entire green bean-to-cup process.

"Ritual employs an immersion-style fluid-bed roasting system, using high-pressure heated air to consistently agitate and roast. The beans fluidise in a complex spiralling motion around the chamber, the result of rigorous prototyping.

"Chaff – coffee silverskin – is collected in the upper body as air escapes through the vents. The roast chamber is attached via a satisfying two-way locking bayonet.

"Integrated scales enable accurate, and automated, process adjustments and the four-inch touch display provides essential roast data."

Student: Josh Kessel
Course: MEng Product Design and Manufacture with an industrial year
Tutors: Simon Harrison and Richard Tew
Email: joshua.kessel[at]sky.com

Inspo Photographic Enlarger by Kamile Mazeliauskaite

"Meet the Inspo Photographic Enlarger – reimagined darkroom development for the modern user. The product allows film photographers to project images from film onto light-sensitive paper by adjusting focus, exposure and size to create physical prints.

"Designed to be tactile and intuitive with a contemporary aesthetic, the Inspo Enlarger brings the charm of hands-on film development to your home or studio.

"With film photography making a nostalgic comeback amongst younger generations, darkroom printing is next in line for revival. The Inspo Enlarger will serve both as a high-quality tool and an accessible learning platform."

Student: Kamile Mazeliauskaite
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture with an Industrial Year
Tutors: Alec Machin and Dan Garner
Email: kamile.mazeliauskaite[at]gmail.com

Crucible Indoor Smoker by Kian Lad

"Crucible is an indoor smoker that brings the appeal of out outdoor smoking to the home kitchen. The three main systems – the smoking chamber, smoke filtration mechanism and pellet combustion mechanism – work to imbue its food contents with the flavour of the chosen wood pellet fuel.

"Add the pellets to the hopper and top up the water tray, then preheat and smoke.

"Before checking on food contents, the smoke must be cleared. The system will switch from circulation mode to exhaust mode, allowing the smoke to be catalysed into filtered air.

"A fully removable interior makes cleaning up simple."

Student: Kian Lad
Course: MEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Simon Harrison and Richard Tew
Email: kian.lad03[at]gmail.com

Refresh by Lily Pointon

"Refresh is a mobile beverage solution for soup runs and those on the go.

"It features a six-litre insulated twin-tank system housed in a backpack, allowing hot or cold liquids to be dispensed via side trigger taps.

"Stainless steel dispensers release around one teaspoon of powder per tip, ideal for drinks like hot chocolate.

"Paper cups are easily accessed by the wearer and secured in front cup holders.

"The modular design lets the product split into a belt and backpack for group distribution, making it adaptable, efficient and well-suited for community outreach or outdoor activities."

Student: Lily Pointon
Course: MEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Simon Harrison and Richard Tew
Email: lilypointon02[at]hotmail.com

PillPal by Rachael Stevenson

"PillPal is an automated pill dispenser specifically designed for children, developed in response to observations made at holiday camps, where children required varied, routine medications, placing pressure on busy nurses.

"PillPal simplifies and streamlines the process of transporting, storing and administering medication for children and their carers.

"Operated via a touch screen, the user inputs a day range, required daily doses and time information.

"At each scheduled time, the internal stepper motor rotates a storage carousel to position the correct dose over the dispenser, which is released with a lever.

"PillPal features a 360-degree contact charging base."

Student: Rachael Stevenson
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Dan Garner and Alec Machin
Email: rachamystevenson[at]gmail.com

Agrimow by Thomas Watts

"Agrimow is an autonomous lawnmower developed for small-scale fruit farming, featuring a mulching blade and a retractable side strimmer for precise cutting around tree trunks.

"Agrimow enables easy maintenance of a grass cover crop, eliminating the need for herbicides, therefore supporting a shift towards organic practices.

"Equipped with advanced sensors, it navigates safely, avoids obstacles and adapts to varied terrain. Paired with an innovative docking station which uses ultrasonic localisation, Agrimow automatically returns for recharge.

"It can be fully controlled through a custom app, giving farmers an easy, efficient and eco-friendly solution for managing orchard maintenance."

Student: Thomas Watts
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Alec Machin and Dan Garner
Email: thomaswatts125[at]gmail.com

Firescape by Toby Jones

"High-rise fire evacuations pose significant risks, especially when residents self-evacuate before help arrives. Smoke inhalation, disorientation and limited visibility often prevent safe escape.

"Firescape is a compact, self-evacuation mask designed to provide vital respiratory protection and improve safety during these critical moments.

"It uses a combination filter to remove harmful gases and particles for up to 30 minutes, paired with a flexible silicone mouthpiece that ensures a secure, airtight seal.

"A high-intensity light, along with a location mode featuring a strobing buzzer, helps identify the user and improve visibility.

"Designed for accessibility, portability and protection, Firescape supports a wide range of users in high-stress conditions."

Student: Toby Jones
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture with an Industrial Year
Tutors: Dan Garner and Alec Machin
Email: tobyjonestgh[at]gmail.com

Omni by William Johnson

"Omni is a portable home theatre kit including a projector, sound system, screen and protective case.

"The aim of this project was to provide an enhanced multimedia experience by combining premium picture quality and an immersive soundscape with portability and modularity, focusing on use both outdoors and in confined living spaces.

"A core feature of this product is the stereo speaker system whereby the left and right speakers detach from either end of the projector device for a wireless and customisable setup, allowing for an improved user experience in any location and a more compact device when combined."

Student: William Johnson
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Alec Machin and Dan Garner
Email: wgjohnson03[at]gmail.com

FolliCool by Finlay Frank

"FolliCool is an advanced scalp cooling system designed to mitigate chemotherapy-induced alopecia, protecting hair follicles and improving patient quality of life.

"While traditional systems keep patients chair-bound for hours, FolliCool's innovative two-unit design delivers powerful cooling on the move.

"The stationary unit chills fluid to minus one degrees celsius, while the lightweight portable unit maintains this temperature for a perfect balance of performance and portability.

"Integrated app controls enable real-time monitoring, session scheduling and treatment tracking, all from your smartphone.

"With a significantly lower cost – around $4,500 – compared to existing solutions, FolliCool offers clinically effective, patient-centred scalp cooling with enhanced accessibility and usability."

Student: Finlay Frank
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture with Industrial Year
Tutors: Dan Garner and Alec Machin
Email: finlay.frank14[at]gmail.com

Celuva by William Redhead

"Celuva is a personal negative pressure massage therapy device designed for use upon C-section scars to aid in the healing process post-surgery.

"The device generates a vacuum which applied to the surface of the scar. This provides a range of benefits such as reduction in pain, improved mobility and an improved appearance.

"The device is designed with interchangeable heads that provide a personalised experience as well as being easy to clean.

"This device was designed with consultation from Dr Alex Lang from the University of Nottingham, as well as PhD student Hannah Poulton, director of HLP Therapy."

Student: William Redhead
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture with an Industrial Year
Tutors: Dan Garner, Alex Lang and Alec Machin
Email: redhead.william[at]icloud.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the University of Nottingham. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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