Ultrasonic washing machine wins BraunPrize

German product designers Ingo Heyn and Sven Wuttig have won the BraunPrize with a concept for an ultrasonic washing machine. Clothes are cleaned at low temperatures by microwaves passing through the tilted drum, that also doubles as a laundry basket. The washing cycle, taking only a few minutes, uses water but very little detergent. This gentle process means white and coloured clothing, plus a selection of different fabrics, can all be washed together. The duo, who graduated from the University of Darmstadt this year, took the 10 000 Euro cash prize rather than accept a six-month placement with local electronic appliance manufacturer Braun.