John McGurk has spent much of his professional career providing technical detailing and designing solutions for a range of customers across several industries. A few years ago, John came up with an idea that could help prevent the destruction of property caused by increasing flooding events. He established AJEA Products Ltd, based in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, to develop this game-changing solution and the subsequent research and development has resulted in his patented innovation, Quell®.
Flooding is one of the worst consequences of climate change. It is growing in frequency and also in the severity of its destruction. In the UK, insurance is becoming increasingly difficult to get for properties in flood-risk areas and so preventing damage will become even more crucial for individuals, companies and organisations.
Quell has been designed to be unlike any other retro-fit flood protection system on the market. Once installed, its patented design harnesses the natural forces of a flood and protects properties from it. The buoyancy of a flood triggers the self-deployment of Quell’s barrier, doing so with an unfurling motion. Magnets then control its unfurling and attach the barrier to its structural frame. It then uses the significant water pressure to enhance its watertight seal.
The system does not need anyone to be present, nor any power-source to deploy it – once installed, the flood water does the rest.
John joined the Regional Talent Engines programme in 2022. He says: “First and foremost, winning a place on the programme has been a significant validation for my invention. The physical resources the scheme provides gives practical support but the wider network of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s membership enables unique access to expertise that would otherwise have been out of my reach.”
John aims to finalise a minimal viable product, ready for site-specific trials later this year. United Utilities Plc, the UK’s largest water and waste water company, has already engaged with Quell via its Innovation Lab and John wants to work with other water utilities in the months ahead.
John has also recently won funding from the Department for Transport via the TRIG - Connected Places Catapult to provide potential solutions to the UK rail network. He will work with potential customers to refine the barrier system and address their specific flood mitigation needs.
Associated Programme
