1Erm... hello Professor, I'm John Wishart.
2I'm working on my entry for the Global Design Competition.
3My tutor said you might be able to help me with it.
4Ah, yes, I got a copy of your drawings.
5Come in and tell me about it.
6What sort of competition is it?
7Well, it's an international design competition
8and we have to come up with a new design for a typical domestic kitchen appliance.
9I see, and are there any special conditions? Does it have to save energy for example?
10Actually that was the focus in last year's competition.
11This year's different.
12We have to adopt an innovative approach to existing technology,
13using it in a way that hasn't been thought of before.
14I see, that sounds tricky.
15And what kitchen appliance have you chosen?
16Well, I decided to choose the dishwasher.
17Interesting, what made you choose that?
18Well, they're an everyday kitchen appliance in most Australian houses
19but they're all pretty boring and almost identical to each other.
20I think some people will be prepared to pay a little extra for something that looks different.
21That's a nice idea.
22I see you've called your design 'the Rockpool'; why is that?
23Basically because it looks like the rock pools you find on a beach.
24The top is made of glass so that you can look down into it.
25And there's a stone at the bottom.
26Is that just for decoration?
27Actually it does have a function.
28Instead of pushing a button, you turn the stone.
29So it's really just a novel way of starting the dishwasher.
30That's right.
31It's a really nice design, but what makes it innovative?
32Well, I decided to make a dishwasher that uses carbon dioxide.
33In place of water and detergent?
34How will you manage that?
35The idea is to pressurize the carbon dioxide so that it becomes a liquid.
36The fluid is then released into the dishwasher where it cleans the dishes all by itself.
37Sounds like a brilliant idea!
38Your system will totally do away with the need for strong detergents.
39So what happens once the dishes are clean?
40Well, to allow them to dry,
41the liquid carbon dioxide and the waste materials all go to an area called the holding chamber.
42That's where the liquid is depressurised and so it reverts to a gas.
43Then the oil and grease are separated out and sent to the waste system.
44It sounds like you've thought it all out very thoroughly.
45So, what happens to the carbon dioxide once the process is complete?
46Not wasted I hope.
47Actually, that's where the real savings are made.
48The carbon dioxide is sent back to the cylinder and can be used again and again.
49What a terrific idea.
50Do you think it will ever be built?
51Probably not, but that's OK.
52Well, I'm sure a lot of positive things will come out of your design.
53Now, you seem to have thought about everything so what exactly did you need me to help you with?
54Well, my design has made it to the final stage of the competition
55and, in a few months' time. I have to give a presentation,
56and that's the part I was hoping you could help me with.
57Right, well that should be easy enough.
58What have you managed to do so far?
59Well, I've got detailed drawings to show how it will work
60and I've also written a 500-word paper on it.
61I see.
62Well, if you want to stand a good chance of winning you really need a model of the machine.
63Yes, I thought I might but I'm having a few problems.
64What is the main difficulty so far?
65Let me guess - is it the materials?
66Yes.
67I want it to look professional but everything that's top quality is also very expensive.
68Look, projects like this are very important to us.
69They really help lift our profile.
70So why don't you talk to the university about a grant?
71I can help you fill out the application forms if you like.
72That would be great.
73You'd better show me this paper you've written as well.
74For a global competition such as this
75you need to make sure the technical details you've given are accurate and thorough.
76Oh, that would be a great help.
77Is there anything else I can do?
78Well, I'm really...