SUTD duo's invention beats 2,000 others to win top Dyson award

The fall of a maple seed is slowed down as its wing acts like a parachute, enabling the wind to carry it farther away.

- Ariel Yu

The seed's asymmetrical shape helps it to remain airborne for longer, spinning like a helicopter's rotor blades.

Post-doctoral research fellows Shane Kyi Hla Win, 33, and Danial Sufiyan Shaiful, 32, from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) were inspired to replicate this movement in a piece of technology that can reduce the electronic waste generated in weather forecasting.

Electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste, refers to any electrical and electronic equipment or device that has been discarded.

The duo beat nearly 2,000 inventions worldwide with their airXeed Radiosonde and clinched the top prize of $50,500, winning on Nov 13 the James Dyson Award 2024 in the sustainability category.

The James Dyson Award is an annual international design award that recognises and supports innovative ideas developed by current and recent design engineering students in the fields of product design, industrial design and engineering.

It was established in 2006 by the James Dyson Foundation, which serves as the company's charitable trust. The categories typically encompass medical and sustainability themes.

On winning the award, Mr Danial said: "It's a huge boost in our journey towards turning airXeed Radiosonde into a fully realised solution that can reduce electronic waste and make weather monitoring smarter and more sustainable."