JOHN: Erm … hello Professor, I’m John Wishart. I’m working on my entry for the Global Design Competition. My tutor said you might be able to help me with it.
PROFESSOR: Ah, yes, I got a copy of your drawings. Come in and tell me about it. What sort of competition is it?
JOHN: Well, it’s an international design competition and we have to come up with a new design for a typical domestic kitchen appliance.
PROFESSOR: I see, and are there any special conditions? Does it have to save energy for example?
JOHN: Actually, that was the focus in last year’s competition. This year’s different. We have to adopt an innovative approach to existing technology, using it in a way that hasn’t been thought of before.
PROFESSOR: I see, that sounds tricky. And what kitchen appliance have you chosen?
JOHN: Well, I decided to choose the dishwasher.
PROFESSOR: Interesting, what made you choose that?
JOHN: Well, they’re an everyday kitchen appliance in most Australian houses but they’re all pretty boring and almost identical to each other. I think some people will be prepared to pay a little extra for something that looks different.
PROFESSOR: That’s a nice idea. I see you’ve called your design ‘the Rockpool’; why is that?
JOHN: Basically because it looks like the rock pools you find on a beach. The top is made of glass so that you can look down into it.
PROFESSOR: And there’s a stone at the bottom. Is that just for decoration?
JOHN: Actually, it does have a function. Instead of pushing a button, you turn the stone.
PROFESSOR: So it’s really just a novel way of starting the dishwasher.
JOHN: That’s right.
PROFESSOR: It’s a really nice design, but what makes it innovative?
JOHN: Well, I decided to make a dishwasher that uses carbon dioxide.
PROFESSOR: In place of water and detergent? How will you manage that?
JOHN: The idea is to pressurise the carbon dioxide so that it becomes a liquid. The fluid is then released into the dishwasher, where it cleans the dishes all by itself.
PROFESSOR: Sounds like a brilliant idea! Your system will totally do away with the need for strong detergents. So what happens once the dishes are clean?
JOHN: Well, to allow them to dry, the liquid carbon dioxide and the waste materials all go to an area called the holding chamber. That’s where the liquid is depressurised and so it reverts to a gas. Then the oil and grease are separated out and sent to the waste system.
PROFESSOR: It sounds like you’ve thought it all out very thoroughly. So, what happens to the carbon dioxide once the process is complete? Not wasted I hope.
JOHN: Actually, that’s where the real savings are made. The carbon dioxide is sent back to the cylinder and can be used again and again.
PROFESSOR: What a terrific idea. Do you think it will ever be built?
JOHN: Probably not, but that’s OK.
PROFESSOR: Well, I’m sure a lot of positive things will come out of your design.
PROFESSOR: Now, you seem to have thought about everything, so what exactly did you need me to help you with?
JOHN: Well, my design has made it to the final stage of the competition and, in a few months’ time, I have to give a presentation, and that’s the part I was hoping you could help me with.
PROFESSOR: Right, well, that should be easy enough. What have you managed to do so far?
JOHN: Well, I’ve got detailed drawings to show how it will work, and I’ve also written a 500-word paper on it.
PROFESSOR: I see. Well, if you want to stand a good chance of winning, you really need a model of the machine.
JOHN: Yes, I thought I might, but I’m having a few problems.
PROFESSOR: What is the main difficulty so far? Let me guess—is it the materials?
JOHN: Yes. I want it to look professional, but everything that’s top quality is also very expensive.
PROFESSOR: Look, projects like this are very important to us. They really help lift our profile. So why don’t you talk to the university about a grant? I can help you fill out the application forms if you like.
JOHN: That would be great.
PROFESSOR: You’d better show me this paper you’ve written as well. For a global competition such as this, you need to make sure the technical details you’ve given are accurate and thorough.
JOHN: That would be a great help.
PROFESSOR: Is there anything else I can do?
JOHN: Well, I’m really …
VOCABULARY:
- come up with /kʌm ʌp wɪð/ (v) – To create or think of something new.
SYN: invent, devise
Example: He had to come up with a new idea for the project.
2. domestic /dəˈmɛstɪk/ (adj) – Relating to the home or household.
SYN: household, home-based
Example: They bought a new domestic appliance for their kitchen.
3. kitchen appliance /ˈkɪtʃən əˈplaɪəns/ (n) – A device used in the kitchen for specific tasks.
SYN: kitchen tool, utensil
Example: A dishwasher is a common kitchen appliance in many homes.
4. innovative approach /ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv əˈproʊtʃ/ (n) – A new and creative way of doing something.
SYN: groundbreaking method, novel strategy
Example: The team used an innovative approach to solve the problem.
5. novel /ˈnɑːvəl/ (adj) – New and different from anything seen before.
SYN: unique, fresh
Example: The novel feature of the design made it stand out in the market.
6. detergent /dɪˈtɜːrdʒənt/ (n) – A cleaning substance used to remove dirt and grease.
SYN: cleaner, soap
Example: She added detergent to the washing machine.
7. carbon dioxide /ˈkɑːrbən daɪˈɒksaɪd/ (n) – A colorless, odorless gas produced by respiration and combustion.
SYN: CO2
Example: Plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
8. pressurise /ˈprɛʃəraɪz/ (v) – To apply pressure to a substance.
SYN: compress, force
Example: The system is designed to pressurise the gas into liquid form.
9. fluid /ˈfluːɪd/ (n) – A substance that flows, such as a liquid or gas.
SYN: liquid, solution
Example: The fluid in the tank needs to be replaced regularly.
10. release /rɪˈliːs/ (v) – To let something go or set it free.
SYN: emit, discharge
Example: The machine releases steam to clean the surface.
11. liquid /ˈlɪkwɪd/ (n) – A state of matter with no fixed shape but a fixed volume.
SYN: fluid, solution
Example: The dishwasher uses a special liquid to clean dishes.
12. holding chamber /ˈhoʊldɪŋ ˈtʃeɪmbər/ (n) – A container used to temporarily store something.
SYN: storage unit, containment area
Example: Waste materials are stored in the holding chamber.
13. depressurised /ˌdiːˈprɛʃəraɪzd/ (adj) – With reduced or removed pressure.
SYN: decompressed
Example: The gas is depressurised to return to its original state.
14. revert /rɪˈvɜːrt/ (v) – To go back to a previous state or condition.
SYN: return, regress
Example: The liquid reverts to gas after cooling down.
15. waste system /weɪst ˈsɪstəm/ (n) – A setup for handling and disposing of waste materials.
SYN: disposal system, recycling system
Example: The waste system processes grease and oil effectively.
16. cylinder /ˈsɪlɪndər/ (n) – A container shaped like a tube used to store gas or liquid.
SYN: tank, canister
Example: The cylinder holds compressed carbon dioxide.
15. oil and grease /ɔɪl ənd ɡriːs/ (n) – Substances used for lubrication that are often waste products.
SYN: lubricants, residue
Example: The oil and grease are separated out during the cleaning process.
16. give a presentation /ɡɪv ə ˌprɛzənˈteɪʃən/ (v) – To deliver information or ideas to an audience.
SYN: present, explain
Example: She has to give a presentation on her design tomorrow.
17. grant /ɡrænt/ (n) – A sum of money given for a specific purpose.
SYN: funding, subsidy
Example: The project received a grant from the university.