UIC ID Junior wins International Housewares Award

Caleb Blankenbaker, UIC ID Junior, was selected as the second place winner for this year’s international IHA Student Design Competition.

Caleb’s awarded project is Arome, a coffee roaster uniquely designed for home use. With Bluetooth and a connected smartphone application, the user is given recommended presets or is able to customize their roast. Arome uses multiple filters to suppress outgoing smoke while allowing for the aroma of coffee to fill the home. As a closed loop fluid bed roaster, hot air passes through the beans to initiate the Maillard reaction. To optimize energy usage, Arome then uses that same air again, instead of immediately releasing the heat.

For his winning entry, Caleb will receive a cash prize of $1,750, and be included in this year’s exhibition held at the International Housewares Show at McCormick Place.

Congratulations Caleb!