From river-cleaning tech to robotic arms and pet gadgets, the next generation of problem-solvers is ready to show the world what’s next.
Bournemouth University’s (BU) Festival of Design & Engineering (FODE) returns to Talbot Campus on 27 and 28 June 2025, showcasing innovative final-year projects from across BU’s Design and Engineering courses.
This annual, public exhibition invites visitors to explore groundbreaking ideas that tackle real-world problems through smart, sustainable and user-focused design.
Designing for a Better World
Many of this year’s projects address major environmental and social challenges, such as 'Nevi', a handheld imaging device for early melanoma detection and ‘HydraFlow’, created by BSc Design Engineering student Julia Macdonald. This floating, hydro-powered device monitors contaminants in rivers and transmits data to local councils for analysis.
“In the UK, 75% of rivers pose a serious risk to human health,” Julia said. “I wanted to create a device that empowers local authorities to monitor water quality more effectively.”
Engineering Innovation on Display
This year’s BEng and MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering students are also making a strong impression, with projects grounded in real-world applications and future-forward thinking.
· 'Rasberry Pi' – Robotics for Everyone
Daniel Slaney’s 5-axis robotic arm, known as ‘Rasberry Pi’, is designed as a low-cost teaching tool for robotics students. Built to be modifiable and powered by open-source software, it supports hands-on learning in programming and control systems. “Robotics education is often expensive and inaccessible,” said Daniel. “I wanted to create a platform that invites collaboration and continuous learning, without the price tag.”
· 'Bi-Tidal' – Renewable Power from Every Turn
Michael James’ ‘Bi-Tidal’ turbine, developed in collaboration with LUSH, is designed for Poole Harbour. It generates energy from both incoming and outgoing tides, offering a scalable, environmentally friendly alternative for coastal communities. “The aim was to develop a low-impact design that works with local marine life, while still producing reliable, renewable power,” Michael explained.
Smart Solutions for Everyday Problems
Alongside more industrial innovations, the festival also celebrates practical, everyday creativity. 'Losity' aims to make its mark in more popular markets such as the pet product industry. It's a handheld device that uses a static charge to pick up pet hair from clothing has been designed by, BSc (Hons) Product Design student, Filip Spila who said: “It’s a familiar frustration for any pet owner. As much as our pets bring us joy, they also leave their fur all over our favourite outfits, usually right before we head out of the door! ‘Losity’ aims to replace those fiddly, unsustainable lint rollers. It’s designed to look good, feel good and save the planet, one furball at a time!”
Other, practical, everyday products on display include:
· 'HedgePod' – a portable incubator for rehabilitating injured hedgehogs
· 'Amplify' – a vibrating wristband that resonates with music and stadium sound to enhance accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors
· 'Seamsafe' – a neck protector for cricket batsmen facing high-speed deliveries
· 'Vaxiguard' – a vaccine cooling backpack designed for remote medical deployment
· 'Hydrovent Turbine' – a low-head hydropower turbine designed for Durweston Mill, integrated into a Venturi duct to boost water velocity and turbine efficiency
Helping People to Live Better
Richard Spencer, a BA (Hons) Product Design Futures student concentrated his design on the problem of poor mobility in people suffering from musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. His product, the ‘Mobility Optimising Support System’ (M.O.S.S) is a wearable support that can be worn over or under clothing to help support the legs, back, ankles and feet. Richard said: “MSK conditions are becoming an increasingly prominent issue, with 15.1 million sufferers in the UK alone. The use of external assistive products can leave people feeling stigmatised. I wanted to design a product that was more discreet, enhancing their quality of life, but also reducing societal exclusion.”
Visit the Festival
BU's Festival of Design & Engineering, organised by final year students, attracts visitors from local industry, schools, and the wider community. It’s a chance to explore the future of design and engineering and to speak directly with the students behind the work.
“The standard of the students’ designs this year has been truly impressive,” said Dr Yonghun Lim, Deputy Head of Department in Design & Engineering. “They’re not just designing for assessment, they’re designing with real purpose.”
Dr Diogo Montalvão, Head of the Department, added: “Presenting their work publicly gives students vital experience in communicating their ideas confidently and clearly, skills they’ll need in fast-moving industries.”
Members of the public wanting to attend the Festival of Design & Engineering can book their free tickets on the Evenbtite registration form here.
For further information about the courses in Design & Engineering, please visit the BU website.
