ROSEMONT, Ill.-The International Housewares Association has named Heman Au and Juan Jimenez winners of the 20th annual Student Design Competition.
Au, a junior at Arizona State University, won for his Duo Kitchenware design, which pairs a rocker knife with a cutting board and which is designed to help people with disabilities to prepare their own food. Held with two hands, the knife cuts with a rocking motion while improving motor control. The angled lip on the board makes lifting easy and prevents food and juices from spilling.
Jimenez, a senior at the University of Houston, for his design of the Smart Measure, a pair of double measuring spoons that snap together and slide past each other to level ingredients. Used with one hand and no additional tools, the Smart Measure needs just a thumb slide to accurately measure liquid or solid ingredients in four standard quantities. In the closed position, the spill-proof spoons hold the contents while being carried during food preparation.
Each student will receive $3,000 for his winning design. Their designs were among 256 project entries from 26 colleges in the United States, Germany and Uruguay. They will receive their awards on March 3 in the Innovation Theater at the International Home + Housewares Show.