In a Dragon's Den special entitled 'How to Win in the Den', aired on BBC2 on Wednesday 28th September, Red Button Design gave us a glimpse of the progress they have made since appearing on Dragon's Den in 2007, along with a sneak peek at the latest incarnation of the Midomo water purification device that has made their name.

It’s been almost 4 years since Amanda Jones and James Brown, two Glasgow University graduates, first entered ‘The Den’ hoping to raise awareness of their water purification device, known then as ‘ROSS.’ Whilst the two students clearly believed they had a good chance of a favourable reception, as they ascended those stairs they hadn't quite anticipated that Red Button Design would become the first company ever to be offered investment from all 5 Dragons for the original equity offered, or the first Social Enterprise to be offered investment at all.

For your viewing pleasure, here is the original segment from the Den back in 2007 - see if you can spot the fancy editing.
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Thursday 29 September 2011, 18.00, Sir Charles Wilson Lecture Theatre, 1 University Avenue (E15 on campus map)

1.4 billion people on our planet live in extreme poverty.

1.4 Billion Reasons, is a thought provoking multimedia presentation that is travelling the world, inspiring and empowering audiences in its path.  Based on leading research, it clearly communicates the challenges and opportunities around tackling extreme poverty, working as a platform to inspire and enable individuals in the Global North to become actively involved in ending poverty.
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The Global Poverty Project is an educational and campaigning organisation which moves audiences to make simple lifestyle changes.  These changes are aimed to enable the world’s poorest to break out of the poverty cycle. Come along to this free public event to be informed, inspired and motivated. 

The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session and the event will conclude with a reception in the Sir Charles Wilson Foyer.

All welcome, this event is free and open to the public. 
Download the flyer: 110929 1.4 Billion Reasons

Please note that registration is essential: visit the GPP website to register - http://www.globalpovertyproject.com/events/attend/37100424
 
 
  This week we had our first meeting of the year, starting in grand style in the boyd Orr lecture theatre 1.  It was a very successful evening with lots of new eager faces despite the late announcement of the venue.
Several ice breaking events were run, including our paper tower building competition which is swiftly becoming a bit of a tradition.
A big thank you to everyone who came along and to those who put together the games (and brought biscuits).

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Firstly, congratulations on surviving Freshers' Week, whichever side of the fence you were on!

This is just to let you know of EWB-GU's launch event TONIGHT at 6:30pm, Boyd Orr building, Lecture Theatre 1 (Room 203 on the ground floor). Think flashmob and you'll be fine. If you're a fresher, lots of you guys had your induction sessions there, so hopefully you'll find your way.

Wherever you are, whatever year you're in, whether you saw us during Freshers' Week or not, we love you and will welcome you all the same. Please do come along to find out a bit more about us, meet a load of interesting people from across the Uni, play games and eat biscuits. Oh, and get in on another chance to win our quality wind-up radio/torch, it's still up for grabs!
 
 
On 2nd April, EWB-GU hosted its first ever all-day training event centred around the theme of WASH (WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene), the new committee having organised, publicised and deployed the surprise series of workshops in less time than is theoretically possible.
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Brian Reed from WEDC (the Water, Engineering and Development Centre at Loughborough University) kicked the day off with a general introduction to WASH, highlighting the holistic and cross-disciplinary approach it promotes, something that is essential to ensure the long-term success of international development projects.
 
 
Vertical axis wind turbines are more uncommon than their horizontal counterpart and so we thought it would be interesting to put together a workshop which would demonstrate a miniature Savonius design in action.
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A wooden frame was erected to provide support and the turbine itself consisted of a split bottle with each half facing in different directions, acting like cups. There were magnets attached to the bottom of the turbine which when rotating passed over the magnet coils below to induce a current. Due to the high resistance of the copper wire we only managed to produce a very small current.


Click the photo to see the rest of the gallery for this event.
 
 
Having seen the workings of a sand filter from the previous research project meeting we then focused on discussing the theory of how biosand filters work and how to train the local population to use them.

The aim for the next research meeting is to be taught by the training team on how to build a bio sand filter and actually make one.

 
 
In our second research meeting of the year on Thursday 21st October, we made sand filters from a combination of sand and gravel. The two groups then tested their filters with dirty water and both groups produced relatively clean water but at different flow rates.

The purpose of this workshop was to give a practical demonstration of the workings of sand filters and to get us them thinking about the proportions of material that should be used. At the next research project meeting we'll be focusing on the theory behind biosand filters and possible ways of improving them.
 
 
On the 3rd-5th September 2010 three members of EWB-GU made the journey down to Rugby for the Small Is... Festival 2010.
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The festival, based on the book "Small is Beautiful" by Fritz Schumacher, ran for its second consecutive year in the grounds of interational development agency "Practical Action" who also co-ran the festival with EWB-UK.

The programme was jam packed with workshops, seminars and discussion groups, all kick started by an introduction from TV presenter, radio broadcaster and writer Adam Hart-Davis. The workshops ranged from a Perspectivity Game that introduces the social, economical and political challenges that hinder change to a workshop on how to make your own mud bricks or build your own solar PV system.

The evening entertaiment was also scheduled and enjoyed by all. Stay tuned for a more detailed description of the event by EWB-GU president Euan Muir. In the mean time, click on the photo to see more.
 
CAT Visit 2010 12/02/2011
 
In April 2010 EwB-GU visited the centre for alternative technology (CAT) in Wales.
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The purpose of the visit was for Stephanie to realise the potential of her dissertation project on producing renewable electricity from sewage and to provide inspiration for EwB-GU’s 09/10 research project.

Follow this link to find out how we got on. CAT offers Master courses for anyone who is interested in alternative technology. Check out their website for further details.