Monday, 23.03.2009
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. <br /><br /> Rigi-Jig was chosen as CIT Entrepreneur of the Year, scooping the e5,000 top prize. <br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /> It could save motor mechanics up to three hours under the hood, helping to reduce labour costs, and car repair bills for motorists. <br /><br /> Damien said the device was inspired during the time he spent working with his motor mechanic father, Derek. <br /><br /> 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". <br /><br /> "I hope to further develop the product as part of my final year college project next year, and bring it to market," he said. <br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /> The most technically innovative award of e2,000 went to Coolab, consisting of David Curtin, Padraig O'Donovan, Robert Casey and Michael Nugent. <br /><br /> They identified a technology already in existence, but have made it much more commercially viable. <br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /> The best business plan award of e1,000 went to Aether - a group which has devised an environmentally friendly air inflatable tent. <br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /> CIT has a proud record of fostering enterprise and innovation. <br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /> The prizes are awarded to those ideas judged most creative, innovative and most likely to succeed in the marketplace. <br /><br /> They were presented by South Cork Enterprise Board business advisor Ciara McGee and Nora Cronin, chairperson of the Cork City Enterprise Board.