Eleanor Webster

University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2025 > MEng students > Eleanor Webster

Lamina is a portable, radio-controlled device designed to clean up small-scale oil spills from water surfaces.

I chose to study Product Design and Manufacture since I felt it combined my interest in engineering and sciences with creative thinking and design. I enjoy problem solving and this degree has challenged me to tackle problems in order to develop thoughtful, user centred solutions, which I have validated using my engineering background and tested to prove their success in manufacture. I follow an iterative design process, continually adjusting my designs based off user feedback and testing, for example plastic flow analysis in injection moulded parts or stress on materials.

During my time at university, I completed two summer placements, giving me a valuable insight into the design engineering industry. These allowed me to apply and hone my skills in professional settings. I have worked in both a client facing design role, as well as a process engineer. These experiences strengthened my understanding of manufacturing processes, user interaction and experience and design for inclusivity, while also helping me develop team working skills, particularly across multidisciplinary teams.

For my final year project, I designed a portable oil spill clean-up device. This combined my interests in sustainable design and materials and user experience with mechanical design. It was important to create an aesthetic yet functional design.

After graduating, I am excited to start my career, bringing everything I’ve learned through my studies and industry experience into the professional world.

Eleanor Webster, MEng Product Design and Manufacture

Lamina – A Portable Device for Oil Spill Recovery on Water

Lamina is a portable, radio-controlled device designed to clean up small-scale oil spills from water surfaces. It offers a safe, efficient and accessible alternative to current methods. This project addresses the environmental and human impact of oil contamination in non-tidal, often recreational waters, where existing solutions are large, hazardous or ineffective for small scale spills.

This device works by using a pair of rotating skimmer brushes with fine 0.4 mm bristles, to lift oil from the water’s surface. The collected oil is scraped off by metal blades and directed into a 2-litre onboard oil store. This store can be easily removed and replaced, with the volume being monitored via a visi-strip. The skimmer operates at 3.6 RPM, powered by a 12V 45Ah lithium-ion battery and controlled by a worm gear. The product is capable of recovering up to 2 litres of oil in 5 minutes, enabling multiple clean-ups per hour.

Lamina is designed for ease of deployment and transport, maximising the oil recovery potential. Materials used are durable, insoluble in organic substances and water resistant. The main outer parts are injection-moulded HDPE, which is widely recycled, anodised aluminium 5052 and recyclable TPE for flexible components, like the bristle covers. The brushless motors and sealed electronics ensure low maintenance and reliability in wet environments. Usability has been considered in all aspects of the design to ensure a quick implementation and clean up, as well as to increase the lifespan of the product. By extending product life and reducing environmental impact, Lamina supports a more circular approach to marine cleanup.

Lamina makes oil clean ups accessible and easy, encouraging individuals, charity organisations, and local businesses to respond quickly to oil pollution without the need for large-scale infrastructure, helping to protect biodiversity, public health, and tourism in marine environments.