Dyson Design Awards

Twenty inventions will compete for a prize of $30,000 at the design competition sponsored by British inventor James Dyson. A life raft that makes saltwater potable is in the running. “Other ideas include a fold-up mini-scooter and a smell-free UV sports bag that kills odour and bacteria. The James Dyson Awards are run by the inventor’s charitable foundation which invites entries from ‘problem solvers’ in 18 countries, including the UK, US, Germany, France and Japan. … No idea is too big or small to be shortlisted. Some may have profound benefits. Pure, for example, is a water bottle which can filter and sterilise dirty water from a lake or a stream in two minutes, using a wind-up UV bulb.”