Design Icons: Cambridge Innovation Festival takes place from 8th to 23rd February at Anglia Ruskin University’s Ruskin Gallery. It will showcase some of the most pioneering, useful and ingenious products designed in Cambridgeshire over the past 40 years.

One exhibit, the “Moss Table”, has been chosen by members of the public. Designed by Alex Driver and Carlos Peralta of the University of Cambridge in collaboration with scientists, the Moss Table combines clean and attractive design with biophotovoltaic technology. The moss generates energy as a product of its natural photosynthesis. The energy is stored in a battery, and provides enough power to run a digital clock.

Research is still at a very early stage, but points to a future where part-living part-inanimate objects will supply their own power, and living power-stations meet the needs of whole communities.

Among the other products on show are the Dulux PaintPod Roller System, the Kenwood Juice Extractor, the Prestige Traditional Kettle, the Sinclair C5 and the Sinclair ZX.

The interactive Design Icons exhibition has been organised by Creative Front Cambridgeshire and is supported by the Design Council. Because the table is a “living exhibit”, it will only be on display from 8-10 February.