CIT honours student innovators

A NEW generation of entrepreneurs and innovators has been honoured by Cork Institute of Technology (CIT).

A device that could save motorists hundreds of euro in car repair bills, and an electronic device to helpbabies sleep were among the winners at CIT’s Prize for Innovation 2009.

Rigi-Jig was chosen as CIT Entrepreneur of the Year, scooping the e5,000 top prize.

Designed by third year mechanical engineering student, Damien Buttimer from Carrigaline, and his classmates Will O’Shea, Fiona Hedderman and Dave Cronin, Rigi-Jig is a new tool that speeds up engine repair.

It could save motor mechanics up to three hours under the hood, helping to reduce labour costs, and car repair bills for motorists.

Damien said the device was inspired during the time he spent working with his motor mechanic father, Derek.

He spotted a gap in the market and developed the tool that will allow a mechanic access those difficult-to-reach parts of any engine without removing the “head”.

“I hope to further develop the product as part of my final year college project next year, and bring it to market,” he said.

The second prize of e1,000 went to the My Caring Bear product — a discreet electronic device that can be slipped inside a babygro or vest — designed by Shane Flynn, David Whoriskey, Jason Burke and Daniel O’Brien.

It monitors an infant’s heart rate and can detect sound and movement. It then sends a signal via a wireless network to a specially designed cuddly bear which can be programmed to play soothing sounds like lullabies or womb sounds.

The most technically innovative award of e2,000 went to Coolab, consisting of David Curtin, Padraig O’Donovan, Robert Casey and Michael Nugent.

They identified a technology already in existence, but have made it much more commercially viable.

Their thermal energy storage system can store excess heat energy emitted from electronic equipment like computers and deliver it back into a room when the temperature drops.

The best business plan award of e1,000 went to Aether — a group which has devised an environmentally friendly air inflatable tent.

Sarah Lindsay, Connor Barry, Luke Fuller, Patrick Hayes and Thibaut Boucherand said they hope to market their product to aid agencies as well as to concert and festival goers.

CIT has a proud record of fostering enterprise and innovation.

As well as its Enterprise Start and Genesis programmes, CIT’s on-campus incubator for start-up businesses, the Rubicon Centre, is already planning a major expansion to cope with demand.

The Innovation Awards, supported by Cork City and Cork County Enterprise Boards, are now in their eighth year. The competition is open to students in all CIT departments.

The prizes are awarded to those ideas judged most creative, innovative and most likely to succeed in the marketplace.

They were presented by South Cork Enterprise Board business advisor Ciara McGee and Nora Cronin, chairperson of the Cork City Enterprise Board.