Mark Champkins
Encyclopedia
Mark Champkins is a UK designer and inventor, who gained public recognition after successfully participating in the BBC television show, the Dragons' Den
. In 2011 he became the London Science Museum
's first "Inventor in Residence".
, and Industrial Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art
(RCA) in London.
Whilst at the RCA, Champkins designed a range of Self-Heating Crockery making use of the Phase Change Material Sodium Acetate
Trihydrate. The crockery enable users to instantaneously heat plates, cups and bowls to sixty degrees Celsius, by pushing a button that started a phase change reaction within the crockery. The items could be recharged and reused by washing them in hot water or a dishwasher.
In 2002, the crockery design was Awarded British Invention of the Year and featured on a number of TV science programs such as BBC
Television's Tomorrow's World
, the Discovery Channel
s' 'What's the Big Idea', and the CNN News.
After graduating from the Royal College of Art
, Champkins worked at The Helen Hamlyn Research Centre as part of a twelve month research project, to investigate how good school design can improve standards of education in the UK.
In 2004, Champkins won a business award from NESTA
and founded Concentrate Design
, a company that develops products intended to help pupils to concentrate at school.
In 2007, on the Dragons Den, Champkins won investment of £100,000 from Peter Jones
in return for a 40% stake in Concentrate Design
.
In 2011, Champkins became the 'Inventor In Residence' at the London Science Museum
, with the aim of creating a renaissance in invention and engineering in Britain.
The Bottlecoolerpenholder; a thermally insulating wet-suit style jacket for water bottles, which stores stationery and acts as a reminder for children to drink plenty of water during lessons. The Chairpadbag; a bag that doubles as a padded seat cover, to make hard plastic chairs more comfortable. The Food for Thought Lunchbox; which encourages children to eat more fruit and the Lunchbox Cooler; a thermally insulating bag that ensures that the contents of a lunchbox stay cool and palatable before eating.
Other products include a USB stick in the shape of a brain which lights up with a brightness corresponding to according to how much data is on it, DIY Reflective Stickers that pupils can cut out and customize their bags, bikes or scooters with, and a range of Anti-Smell Sports Bags, which contains a charcoal odour absorbing patch, to ensure sports kits left at school remains as fragrant as possible.
In 2008, Champkins released a number of more tongue-in-cheek
products, including a Voting Ruler, with which pupils can vote 'yes' or 'no' by holding the appropriate end, coffee Mugs of Authority which allow teachers to silently communicate with their pupils phrases such as 'Put That Down' and 'Stop Doing That' as well packs of Pre-chewed Pencils.
The Pre-chewed Pencils caught the attention of bloggers, leading to an appearance on Chris Evans BBC Radio 2
drive time show to explain the invention.
Champkins also provided design input to Joshua Silver
's Adaptive Spectacles and Imperial College's Body Sensing Network, both of which promote well-being and education.
, describing the inventions that prominent public figures have either patented or would love to see. These include shoes patented by Michael Jackson
's, a drum tuning device invented by Marlon Brando
, and Tony Benn
's "Seatcase". Other public figures featured in the book include Jamie Lee Curtis
, Charlie Sheen
, Harry Hill
, Karl Pilkington
, Nicola Roberts
, Jamie Oliver
, Paul Smith
and Margaret Thatcher
.
Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den is a series of reality television programmes featuring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas in order to secure investment finance from a panel of venture capitalists. The show originated in Japan as "Manē no Tora"...
. In 2011 he became the London Science Museum
Science museum
A science museum or a science centre is a museum devoted primarily to science. Older science museums tended to concentrate on static displays of objects related to natural history, paleontology, geology, industry and industrial machinery, etc. Modern trends in museology have broadened the range of...
's first "Inventor in Residence".
Background
Champkins studied Manufacturing Engineering at the University of CambridgeUniversity of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, and Industrial Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
(RCA) in London.
Whilst at the RCA, Champkins designed a range of Self-Heating Crockery making use of the Phase Change Material Sodium Acetate
Sodium acetate
Sodium acetate, CH3COONa, also abbreviated NaOAc, also sodium ethanoate, is the sodium salt of acetic acid. This colourless salt has a wide range of uses.-Industrial:...
Trihydrate. The crockery enable users to instantaneously heat plates, cups and bowls to sixty degrees Celsius, by pushing a button that started a phase change reaction within the crockery. The items could be recharged and reused by washing them in hot water or a dishwasher.
In 2002, the crockery design was Awarded British Invention of the Year and featured on a number of TV science programs such as BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Television's Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
, the Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
s' 'What's the Big Idea', and the CNN News.
After graduating from the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
, Champkins worked at The Helen Hamlyn Research Centre as part of a twelve month research project, to investigate how good school design can improve standards of education in the UK.
In 2004, Champkins won a business award from NESTA
NESTA
The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts is an independent endowment in the United Kingdom established by an Act of Parliament in 1998....
and founded Concentrate Design
Concentrate Design
Concentrate Design creates products developed to help pupils concentrate at school. Founded in 2004, the company came to public note when its products were pitched on BBC's Dragons' Den, and won investment from entrepreneur Peter Jones...
, a company that develops products intended to help pupils to concentrate at school.
In 2007, on the Dragons Den, Champkins won investment of £100,000 from Peter Jones
Peter Jones (entrepreneur)
Peter Jones, CBE is a British entrepreneur and businessman with interests in mobile phones, television, media, leisure, and property. He became a television celebrity through his appearances on the BBC Two show Dragons' Den and on his American television show American Inventor...
in return for a 40% stake in Concentrate Design
Concentrate Design
Concentrate Design creates products developed to help pupils concentrate at school. Founded in 2004, the company came to public note when its products were pitched on BBC's Dragons' Den, and won investment from entrepreneur Peter Jones...
.
In 2011, Champkins became the 'Inventor In Residence' at the London Science Museum
Science museum
A science museum or a science centre is a museum devoted primarily to science. Older science museums tended to concentrate on static displays of objects related to natural history, paleontology, geology, industry and industrial machinery, etc. Modern trends in museology have broadened the range of...
, with the aim of creating a renaissance in invention and engineering in Britain.
Design Work
Champkins has been responsible for designing and launching a number of products intended to enhance the concentration of pupils at school. The products aim to help pupils focus in the classroom by ensuring that they stay hydrated, eat healthy food, sit comfortably and are in the best state to learn. The products include;The Bottlecoolerpenholder; a thermally insulating wet-suit style jacket for water bottles, which stores stationery and acts as a reminder for children to drink plenty of water during lessons. The Chairpadbag; a bag that doubles as a padded seat cover, to make hard plastic chairs more comfortable. The Food for Thought Lunchbox; which encourages children to eat more fruit and the Lunchbox Cooler; a thermally insulating bag that ensures that the contents of a lunchbox stay cool and palatable before eating.
Other products include a USB stick in the shape of a brain which lights up with a brightness corresponding to according to how much data is on it, DIY Reflective Stickers that pupils can cut out and customize their bags, bikes or scooters with, and a range of Anti-Smell Sports Bags, which contains a charcoal odour absorbing patch, to ensure sports kits left at school remains as fragrant as possible.
In 2008, Champkins released a number of more tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort. In the past, it may also have indicated...
products, including a Voting Ruler, with which pupils can vote 'yes' or 'no' by holding the appropriate end, coffee Mugs of Authority which allow teachers to silently communicate with their pupils phrases such as 'Put That Down' and 'Stop Doing That' as well packs of Pre-chewed Pencils.
The Pre-chewed Pencils caught the attention of bloggers, leading to an appearance on Chris Evans BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
drive time show to explain the invention.
Champkins also provided design input to Joshua Silver
Joshua Silver
Professor Joshua D Silver is a UK physicist whose discoveries have included a new way to change the curvature of lenses, with significant application for the low-cost manufacture of corrective lenses....
's Adaptive Spectacles and Imperial College's Body Sensing Network, both of which promote well-being and education.
Books
In 2011, Champkins wrote "The Big Book of Celebrity Inventions", published by HarperCollinsHarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
, describing the inventions that prominent public figures have either patented or would love to see. These include shoes patented by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's, a drum tuning device invented by Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
, and Tony Benn
Tony Benn
Anthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC is a British Labour Party politician and a former MP and Cabinet Minister.His successful campaign to renounce his hereditary peerage was instrumental in the creation of the Peerage Act 1963...
's "Seatcase". Other public figures featured in the book include Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis is an American actress and author. Although she was initially known as a "scream queen" because of her starring roles in several horror films early in her career, such as Halloween, The Fog, Prom Night and Terror Train, Curtis has since compiled a body of work that spans many...
, Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
, Harry Hill
Harry Hill
Harry Hill , is a Perrier Award–winning English comedian, author and television presenter. A former medical doctor , Hill began his career in comedy with the popular radio show Harry Hill's Fruit Corner.-Personal life:Hill was born in Woking,...
, Karl Pilkington
Karl Pilkington
Karl Pilkington is a British podcaster, author, television personality and former radio producer. He is best known for the Sky travel series, An Idiot Abroad, which was also presented in the United States on the Science Channel, in Canada on Discovery Channel and in Australia on One HD, and The...
, Nicola Roberts
Nicola Roberts
Nicola Maria Roberts is a British recording artist and entrepreneur. In 2002 Roberts auditioned for the reality televisions series and competition Popstars The Rivals which saw her finish in the final line-up of a girl group named Girls Aloud...
, Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver
James "Jamie" Trevor Oliver, MBE , sometimes known as The Naked Chef, is an English chef, restaurateur and media personality, known for his food-focused television shows, cookbooks and more recently his campaign against the use of processed foods in national schools...
, Paul Smith
Paul Smith
Paul Smith may refer to:In music:*Paul Smith , British record label manager and art event producer*Paul Smith , prominent composer of American film music*Paul Smith , Los Angeles jazz pianist...
and Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
.