When people talk about the standards of education in the UK, they rarely have anything good to say and this breeds the feeling that our young people are entering the world of work without the skills they need to succeed.

Sometimes it takes a reminder, such as the news this week that a student from the UK is one of just six finalists out of 1500 entrants globally in this year’s Electrolux Design Lab competition, to remind us that we still have plenty to shout about. And having looked at the other finalists’ entries, I feel that Jordan Lee Martin, a product design student from the University of Huddersfield, may go on to become the winner.

Jordan’s entry – Bloom – is a kettle that uses wasted steam and hot water to carry out household tasks and which Jordan says is the most efficient kettle in the world.

“Through the use of its three pods, Bloom utilises wasted steam and hot water, harnessing them to carry out multiple tasks,” he explains. “Each pod can be used once fitted to Bloom’s docking base and is controlled via a smart device or the kettle’s hub. All pods use pre-existing technology e.g. steam cooker, propagator, plant air purifier, steriliser and dishwasher.”

But that’s not all… Bloom is fitted with a child-lock and a lid within the spout to prevent possible exposure to steam or hot water and which redirects the steam through the vents for the pods. Further, Bloom acts as a thermos, sustaining the temperature so that it can deliver steam and hot water more efficiently while its exterior acts as thermal resistor ensuring the surfaces will not burn anyone – saving energy.

“Everything is pre-existing technology that has been repurposed to be more sustainable, safer, accessible and easier to use,” says Jordan, who gains extra marks from me for not reinventing the wheel in coming up with his design. He believes that by accessing children early, Bloom will help develop good life habits. He says that a more informed generation will be more attentive towards waste and the environment, consumption and sustainability, as well as more aware of health, germs and fitness.

With goals such as this, I do hope he wins the competition and that his Bloom one day ends up in full flower…

See the concept come to life at: www.electroluxdesignlab.com

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Yours,

Jan Hobbs