Dame Ellen MacArthur will address an audience of students, staff and industry specialists at this year's Made in Brunel design and engineering showcase.
Formerly a record-breaking sailor and circumnavigator, in 2010 Dame Ellen launched the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to inspire a generation to re-think, re-design and build a positive future, after five years of research into the global economy and its reliance on finite resources. She will speak at Made in Brunel's Pecha Kucha launch event on Thursday 14 June.
Around 300 innovations will be presented and demonstrated to consumers, producers and service providers over the course of the annual showcase, which is run by graduating Brunel University design and engineering students.
Among the products tipped to grab the attention this year are a chocolate pen and 3D chocolate printer, a device which recycles water wasted when running the hot tap, and an intelligent toy for cats which moves away on approach. Other concepts include the development of new sustainable roofing technology, a process which enables HIV positive mothers in sub-Saharan Africa to see that their breast milk is safe before feeding their babies, and a study looking at the potential construction of a Thames Estuary airport.
Creator of Made in Brunel Paul Turnock revealed the thinking behind this year's theme, 'journeys fuelled by ideas'. "The journeys our students make through their degrees are what shape their outlook as graduate designers and engineers," he said. "For 2012, 'journeys fuelled by ideas' represents our aim to share the process and development that goes into all of the projects, the progression of the students and Made in Brunel itself. The students have worked exceptionally hard to get their products and concepts ready for public exhibition, and we look forward to sharing these with visitors to the show."
Traditionally, Made in Brunel provides an excellent opportunity for Brunel students to find employment. Last year's cohort landed design and engineering jobs at companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche Design, Dyson, Chanel, Hasbro, Burberry, Reiss and lastminute.com, with some also setting up their own businesses upon graduation.
Made in Brunel 2012 takes place at The Bargehouse on London's South Bank from Thursday 14 June until Sunday 17 June.
Register to attend Made in Brunel
Register to attend on the Made in Brunel website.
Journalists, photographers and television crews interested in attending Made in Brunel 2012 should contact Phil Smith at Communications Management on 01727 733388 or phil@communicationsmanagement.co.uk.