Product design consultancy, Origin, has helped develop a new breed of low power photoelectric cell panels for use in tough environments and hard to reach places.

Origin Product Design, based in the Greater Cambridge CleanTech cluster in the UK, is working with Whitfield Solar on the products which, they believe, “will help make a difference to the environmental impact on our planet.”

Origin has played an integral part in the development of these hi-tech panels. Described as robust, lightweight and flexible modules, they are felt to be an ideal solution for producing the lowest Euro/watt renewable energy from low value land in Europe.

Origin says the cells are perfectly suited for use in hostile and difficult to reach places and are currently undergoing rigorous testing.

The Huntingdon-based consultancy is also working on products with Waterevolution involving the re-use of grey water and the recovery of heat from waste water.

Origin sees its expansion in the environmental segment as a logical progression from its medical sector work.

Founded in 1995, Origin designs for many industries from pharmaceutical and medical to consumer and renewable technology. Although based in the UK, the company considers itself to be part of Europe and has customers in France, Germany and Switzerland. Several products have achieved global success.

Origin has worked extensively in the medical devices and diagnostics markets, designing needle-safe products, inhalation devices, skin care and diabetes products.

Projects range from developing complete intravenous drug delivery infusion pumps, reconstituting lyophilised drugs, controlling fluid paths, delivering sprays and droplets. Fluid path projects have included infusion set design, needle safe IP, headset insertion devices and work with auto injectors.

Projects have been designed and rapid prototyped at Origin, tooled for phase 2B clinical trials, supported by origin through scale up and transferred to phase 3 production.

Smaller projects have involved running due diligence studies on competitor projects, developing client devices which are not achieving the required results and consulting on specific functions of a device.

Origin has been working closely with GlaxoSmithKline, the world's leading research based pharmaceutical and healthcare company, since 1995. It has developed technologies and mechanisms for novel delivery devices and as a result has been instrumental in generating new IPR to protect, extend and develop new market opportunities.

From early conceptual development of GSK's acclaimed MDI counter, Origin has been an integral part of the development team right through tool making, assembly equipment development and pre-production testing.

With products achieving global success, Origin's input has set new standards for patient care allowing medicinal compliance and easy monitoring by the user.

Work with GSK include detailed design work, technical development, due diligence, tolerance analysis, risk assessment, design simulations and future technologies.

Origin is currently developing products that improve the lifestyle of people with diabetes. This work has earned the customer an international Red Dot Award.

The consultancy has also proved influential in the consumer product arena.
Previous consumer projects include: domestic power measurement equipment, computer peripherals for Fuji Electronics and domestic appliances such as washing machines and fridges.

Project handovers vary from the generation of first proof of principle prototypes to complete product documentation.

Fagor Brandt won a prestigious design award for its dose-e washing machine at 'Foire de Paris '09'. The innovative self dosing system was developed with Origin and the appliance was awarded European innovation awards including Janus de l'industry 09.

The machine is filled with detergent in bulk quantities and a pumping system developed with Origin selects the correct quantity depending on the weight and soil of the load.

Fagor Brandt is France's leading household appliance group and one of Europe's major manufacturers, selling its products in over 100 countries worldwide.

Another Origin inspired product is the Vileda Supermop 2 which cleans all surfaces, is super absorbent, and is said to leave surfaces drier than other mops on the market. Its self-wringing shotgun mechanism allows users to clean without bending and permits hands dry wringing, without having to use a bucket.

It also has an angled head for faster and more effective cleaning fitting into awkward places, durable - tear resistant foam, grooved rollers to wring out excess water, an abrasive pad to remove stubborn marks and cloth edge to wipe floors clean and dry.

Origin says it is planning for further growth across all its key market segments and has ramped up headcount with five new hires over recent months.

Managing director Allen Pearson said: “Our new team members will make a significant contribution to the company, expanding an already highly skilled and experienced team. We listen to our customers, understand their needs and will continue to deliver great value and innovative design.”