Graduate designs high-tech tea towel

Graduating Product & Furniture Design student Paul Oxley has invented a device he calls the electronic tea towel to boost kitchen hygiene. Paul, who graduates from De Montfort University in Leicester next week (14 July), with a first class honours degree, has developed the idea for a high-tech replacement for kitchen cloths.

Paul, 24, from Chapeltown, Sheffield, explains: "Every year millions of people get food poisoning and between 100 and 200 people a year die from it. I found that one of the main ways of spreading the bacteria responsible for most cases is through the use of tea towels.

"In response to this I have designed a hygienic solution to many of the chores associated with the tea towel. My product is called Aquavac and will clean up wet and dry mess around the kitchen. It will also dry your hands and crockery.

"With all the polymers used to build it being impregnated with anti-bacterial substances, and in the most part dishwasher-safe, the unit is perfectly hygienic."

Paul's work will be on display at the New Designers exhibition in London later this week (10-13 July).

New Designers is the leading event for the freshest talent in the design world and has been hailed by the Prime Minister as one of the most important exhibitions in London. See Newdesigners.com for more information.