GRAEME ATTEY

Industrial Design

NIA Helmets

2020 - Present day

The patented Nodal Impact Attenuation (NIA) system is not merely a new helmet – it is an innovative impact structure with many real-world applications. For example, it could easily be applied to other forms of sports protective gear, such as body armour. NIA is a network of spheres, distributed and strategically connected via a triangular lattice. The spheres are located at every node of the lattice. Each sphere has a hex-shaped ridge to accommodate the potential development of a hard-shell version in the future. The entire structure is moulded from one-part flexible EVA foam. This system is what makes the NIA helmet over 90% more effective at reducing head acceleration during impact when compared to the four current leading brands of sports headgear. This in turn significantly reduces the risk of concussion. For detail, see: niahelmets.com

Carbondynamix

2020 - 2022

Carbon-fiber guitars and banjos.

Catfoil

2020 - 2022

Designed the CatFoil Stand-Up Paddleboard which created a new SUP world record flatwater paddling speed of 20.4 kph.

Hexlid

2012 - 2017

Designed the HEXLID foam helmet for football (and sold to Madison Sport to commercialise).

2013

Industry representative on the Australian Federal Government’s ‘Advisory Council on Intellectual Property‘ (ACIP).

HIVAP

2011

Developed and patented the HIVAP evaporative cooling process and formed HIVAP Pty Ltd. Won the West Australian Government’s prestigious Innovator of the Year Award for 2012 (Emerging Innovation Category) for HIVAP.

WINDPODS

2007 - 2011

Developed the patented WINDPODS modular, silent wind turbine system. 270 Windpods are now installed in the crown of the Shanghai Tower (the world’s second tallest building).

Curtin University

2009 - 2010

Part-time Lecturer/Tutor of Industrial Design

2005

Licensed the giant toy company HASBRO to sell the Dirtsurfer Action Man toy.

Dirtsurfer

1999 - 2007

Developed and manufactured the patented Dirtsurfer all-terrain, two wheeled skateboard and accessories. Business included export sales, overseas licensing, research, development and design.

1998

Won Best Paper Award at the International Conference on Thermoelectrics in Nagoya Japan.

HYDROCOOL

1990 - 1999

Developed and patented the HYDROCOOL thermoelectric cooling system and sold the technology to the Matsushita Refrigeration Company (National/Panasonic) of Japan in 1997.

Over-mould leg-rope system

1994

Designed the ‘Over-Mould’ surfboard leg-rope system for Creatures of Leisure, followed in 2003 by the ‘Revolution’ swivel. Both systems are still used in every surfboard leg-rope in the world today.

Managing Director, Hydrodynamix Pty Ltd

1983 - 1990

Start-up company that went on to establish an international market via 15 overseas distributors for innovative, patented Windsurfing equipment.

1984

Developed a wide-tip sailboard sail, designed to flex and twist in gusts to improve the speed, control and the wind range of a windsurfing sail. This design gradually became copied in the later 80’s and by the 90’s had become the industry standard. The principles of this design are now used in every production sailboard sail in the world and all the world’s racing yacht sails, from dinghies to super-maxis.

1982

Licensed Multi-Fin Systems Pty Ltd of Byron Bay to manufacture and sell worldwide the ‘Strata Fin’ design for windsurfing.