A Loughborough university student has landed a designer award for his kitchen-top storage vessel.Named Bio-Pod, the airtight storage vessel uses vacuum ionisation to delay the decomposition of food waste, reducing unpleasant smells and health hazards.It was designed by Johnathan Fenton, a design and technology finalist.He was given the Mark Wilkinson Designers Award of 3,500 at the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) Design Direction Awards.The Bio-Pod has a vacuum seal to slow bacteria growth, a decomposition indicator showing the user when the vessel needs emptying and an ionising pod to kill airborne bacteria and neutralise odours.It is described as a hygienic bacteria and odour free environment that delays decomposition and encourages the user to recycle organic waste without the need to empty on a daily basis.Lecturer Paul Wormald said Yet again our students have excelled themselves in the RSA competition.The range of successful projects is a clear demonstration of the highly innovative, creative and professional nature of the industrial design and technology students in the department.The RSA Design Directions Awards were launched in 2003, aiming to challenge designers to create products with a strong social context.