A loudspeaker for smartphones, made using wooden pallets, won first prize in the “Trash to Cash” competition at TCD’s Science Gallery in Dublin yesterday.
Third-level students had been invited to compete by turning recyclable waste into other products.
Cathal Sheridan from Donegal, a third-year student of industrial design at the Institute of Technology, Carlow, was awarded first prize for his passive loudspeaker for Apple iPhones.
“It’s a passive amplifier that works with iPhones 4, 4S and 5,” he said.
“It’s in the shape of a pentagon and has five staves, which gives nice warm undertones to the music and less tininess. The amplifier increases sound levels by 15dB and improves sound quality.”
He won cash, an Apple iPad and the opportunity to work with members of the Institute of Designers in Ireland to develop the product further.
The loudspeaker will go on sale at the Science Gallery later this year in a limited edition.
Carlow IT had the greatest number of winners in the competition, with four of its students taking the top three prizes.
Shane McGuinness and Ian Hannon were awarded second prize for their Eco Sound iPhone loudspeaker, made from cardboard.
Denis Tiryaki was awarded third prize for Drop, a sustainable pendant lamp made from woven polypropylene recycled from bulk salt bags.
Presenting the awards, Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan commended the students for their innovative designs. He said it was important that Irish product designers, engineers and scientists looked at waste as a resource and used it in products.
“In Ireland, as across the whole of the European Union, the way we deal with waste is changing. This is both an necessity and an opportunity. It will be key to securing growth and jobs for Ireland and will bring economic opportunities, improve productivity, drive down costs and boost competitiveness,” he said.