Inventors of the future

The best inventions are often the simplest, providing clear and intelligent solutions to real-world problems.

Since 2005, the James Dyson Award has challenged inventive and entrepreneurial undergraduates and recent graduates of engineering and design, to ‘design something that solves a problem’. Past winners have found solutions to renewable energy generation, new forms of sustainable plastics, and medical cancer screenings.

The award gives young inventors international media exposure, which has opened up further investment and opportunities for them to develop their ideas – and 1 in 5 have gone on to successfully commercialise their inventions and turn them into fully fledged businesses.

Aston spoke to Yusuf Muhammad, co-founder and design director of Plumis and 2009 James Dyson Award winner to discuss the platform the awards gave them and the success they have had since winning.