A design student at Gray’s School of Art has come up with an innovative new product which helps people to remain hydrated safely and effectively while on the move.
Andrew Davidson (23), who is studying Product Design at Gray’s, has filed a patent for the Go~Iso – a device which can be fitted to an existing water bladder to instantly convert water into a formulated isotonic fluid.
The final year student faced a tense deadline to get the patent filed to ensure he would be able to display his work as part of the art school’s annual Degree Show this week, which opens on Saturday, June 20.
Andrew said: “The product is for safe and effective on-the-move hydration and energy. It instantly converts water into a formulated isotonic fluid by simply attaching the device into the system.
“One of the main benefits is that the user can rehydrate and boost their energy levels on the move without having to stop. This would be useful in many endurance activities and may help individuals achieve personal best times.
“It may also have an application in the military, where currently personnel are issued sachets of powder which cannot be easily mixed on the move.
“With the Go~Iso you are able to instantly consume isotonic fluid with no fuss.”
He added: “One of the many other benefits is that being fully hydrated helps maintain concentration levels.”
Being active himself, Andrew initially started investigating ways of improving survival rates in the great outdoors.
He said: “I conducted research into the survival rule of three which states that the average human cannot survive three minutes without air, three hours without shelter (in extreme conditions), three days without water or three weeks without food.
“That was the starting point for my research, and it developed from there when I decided to focus on the hydration aspect.
“Hydration is applicable to all aspects of life and the isotonic drinks industry is massive. I noticed a gap in the market and focused on creating a hydration product which was innovative.
“My plan now is to try and get a licensing deal with a water bladder company so I can further develop the product and get it to a commercially viable stage. I’ve not made any approaches to companies yet, as my focus has been on getting the patent filed and finishing my university work.”
Andrew said he has had a lot of support throughout the process from his course leader Daniel Sutherland, who himself has filed a range of intellectual property (IP) applications from PCT patents and design registrations to trademarks, as well as the Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) which helped fund the patent application.
“This funding was more than money to me,” Andrew said. “It increased my motivation to make the product succeed as it also showed that they have confidence in my product and marketing plan, which means a lot considering they are professionals in the field.
“It will take up to four years to have the patent granted but during that time I can still develop and sell the product.”
Daniel added: “This is a really well thought out university project about a very interesting area of research based on Andrew’s on interests. More impressive is that this particular product addressed a very specific need and has a clear point of innovation that we were able to help Andrew get to a potentially patentable position.”
Andrew’s work will be on display as part of the Gray’s School of Art Degree Show, sponsored by BP for the twelfth year, which runs from June 20 to 27.