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#NTUDI Product Design Student Showcase Spotlight: Rebecca Brown

Today’s Spotlight piece features BSc (Hons) Product Design student Rebecca Brown

    AMT by Rebecca Brown, BSc (Hons) Product Design
    Automatic Mist Technology by Rebecca Brown BSc (Hons) Product Design

    While we are deeply disappointed that the summer degree show is unable to go ahead as planned, we are excited that the NTU Design Industries' (NTUDI) Product Design Online Student Showcase will launch on Friday 19 June 2020.

    In the run up to the launch of the virtual event, will be sharing a series of student projects from across our BA (Hons) Product Design, BSc (Hons) Product Design and BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design courses through #NTUDI Spotlights.

    Automatic Mist Technology

    In the construction industry, dust has posed extreme issues relating to human health. It is accountable for a significant number of non-asbestos lung diseases, including cancer, silicosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

    Specific high-energy tools like concrete breakers produce a lot of dust in a very short time, putting the user at risk. Current solutions utilise water to suppress the dust. Still, they can often be a health and safety hazard, not suitable for small works or too expensive.

    AMT by Rebecca Brown, BSc (Hons) Product Design

    Automatic Mist Technology (AMT) works from the vibrations created by the concrete breaker to trigger when water should be misted onto construction works.

    To supply the water, an existing hand pressurised pump is stored in an ergonomic backpack. This is connected to an on-tool attachment, which targets the dust and mists water onto the works when the tool is in motion. The spray component is attached directly to the breaker and can be easily removed.

    Robert Brown, Site Manager at McGee said: “The AMT would have a positive impact on health and safety on-site. It would eliminate trailing hoses to get to the work area, which is a massive hazard on any construction site.

    “It will also provide targeted dust suppression on the area as soon as the tool is in motion and eliminate the need for a second operative to spray the works, improving safety and cost.”

    When speaking about the AMT, Rebecca said: “Having spent time-on-site, it is clear to see that dust is a huge issue and has been for many years. I wanted to design something that utilises products that are common on-site to reduce costs, improve the environmental impact of the product and ultimately help reduce the health impact of dust.”

    Rebecca Brown

    Find out more about the NTU Design Industries' Virtual Student Showcase on our website and follow @NTUDI on Instagram for all the latest updates.

    Published on 12 June 2020
    • Subject area: Art and design
    • Category: Current students; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment