Easy-to-use non-invasive wearable device could prevent development of glaucoma in mild and pre-glaucoma patients
- Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss affecting about 80 million people worldwide[1] and every year 3.6 million people lose their vision permanently due to the eye disease. It is also the leading cause of registered, permanent blindness in Hong Kong (23%)[2].
- Caused by interocular pressure (IOP) on the optic nerve, glaucoma is painless and progresses slowly, however there are no preventative therapies to reverse glaucoma.
- Current therapeutic approaches to preserve failing vision involve reducing IOP, but are only available for diagnosed patients and may involve invasive surgery or daily doses of eyedrops that may have side effects
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 September 2022 – This year’s Hong Kong national James Dyson Award winner attempts to find a new solution to solve this problem.
The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology and the Foundation’s work encourage aspiring engineers and problem solvers, to apply their knowledge and discover new ways to improve lives through technology. To date, James and the James Dyson Foundation have contributed over £140m to boundary-breaking concepts in education and other charitable causes.
The Foundation has a website, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Recent past winners
- 2021 International winner – HOPES (Singapore) – A device for pain-free, at-home eye pressure testing, opening up access to glaucoma testing, by students of the National University of Singapore.
- 2021 Sustainability winner – Plastic Scanner (Netherlands) – A low-cost, handheld device to identify plastic for recycling, by Jerry de Vos from TU Delft.
- 2021 Medical winner – REACT (GB) – A device to stem bleeding to help save the lives of stabbing victims, by Joseph Bentley from Loughborough university.
- 2020 International winner – The Blue Box (Spain) – Invented by 23-year-old Judit Giró Benet, The Blue Box is a new way to detect breast cancer, at-home, using a urine sample and an AI algorithm.
- 2020 Sustainability winner – AuREUS System Technology (The Philippines) – Invented by 27-year-old Carvey Ehren Maigue, AuREUS is a new material, made from waste crop, which converts UV light into renewable energy.
About the competition
The brief
Design something that solves a problem. This problem may be a frustration that we all face in daily life, or a global issue. The important thing is that the solution is effective and demonstrates considered design thinking.
The process
Entries are judged first at the national level by a panel of external judges and a Dyson engineer. Each operating market awards a National winner and two National runners-up. From these winners, a panel of Dyson engineers then select an international shortlist of 20 entries. The top 20 projects are then reviewed by Sir James Dyson who selects his international winners.
The prize
- International winners, chosen by Sir James Dyson, awarded up to £30,000.
- International runners-up receive £5,000.
- Each National winner receives £5,000.
The deadline to apply: midnight PST on 6 July 2022.
How to enter
Candidates enter through an online application form via the James Dyson Award website.
Entrants should explain what their invention is, how it works, and their development process. The best entries solve a real problem, are clearly explained, show iterative development, provide evidence of prototyping and have supporting imagery and a video.
All judges will take into consideration the restrictions to prototyping and product development as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Eligibility criteria
Entrants must be, or have been within the last four years, enrolled for at least one semester in an undergraduate or graduate engineering/design related course. This course must be at a university in a country or region chosen to participate in the James Dyson Award.
In the case of team entries, all members must be or have been within the last four years, enrolled for at least one semester in an undergraduate or graduate programme at a university in a country or region chosen to participate in the James Dyson Award. At least one team member must have studied an eligible subject in engineering or design. Those participating in a degree level apprenticeship at Level 6 or Level 7, and those who have completed said apprenticeship in the past four years, are eligible to enter the award.
Further FAQs can be found on the James Dyson Award website.
