The Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) has announced the winners of its 2010 Innovation Awards, which included innovations such as a CO and combustible gas detection system, new silicon chip technology for real-time DNA analysis and a high efficiency automatic transmission for increasing the performance and range of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles.
The awards recognise the most innovative companies operating within a wide variety of engineering and technology disciplines, with winners announced in 15 categories including Asset management, Emerging technologies, Transport, Telecommunications and Product design.
The 2010 IET Innovation Awards attracted a record number of entries from around the globe, offering industry innovators worldwide an opportunity to demonstrate their innovation and imagination as they tackle their own local, economic and social challenges.
The awards culminated in an awards ceremony last night at the Brewery, London, hosted by TV presenter Suzi Perry. The ceremony was made possible by the support of ABB, Alstom Grid, The Mathworks, National Grid, NPL and Withers & Rogers.
The 2010 IET Innovation Award winners were:
Asset management:
London Underground: Engineering Strategy for Economic and Efficient Management (ESTEEM)
Built environment:
Flowtech Controls: Wireless carbon monoxide and combustible gas detection and shut off system for residential dwellings
Electronics:
DNA Electronics: The next silicon revolution: UK spin-out pioneers world's first semiconductor-only DNA analysis
Emerging technologies:
DNA Electronics: The next silicon revolution: UK spin-out pioneers world's first semiconductor-only DNA analysis
Healthcare technologies:
DNA Electronics: The next silicon revolution: UK spin-out pioneers world's first semiconductor-only DNA analysis
Information technology:
Cambridge Consultants: UMI – Universal metering interface. An open modular solution for network communications in smart metering systems
Measurement in action:
University of Manchester and Pipeline Engineering: Acoustek: Monitoring the integrity of subsea pipelines
Power / energy:
A consortium comprising Parsons Brinckerhoff, Areva, Durham University, Imass and ScottishPower: A novel smart grid solution for active management of distributed generators using real-time thermal ratings
Product design:
Light Blue Optics: Low power, miniature, bright, high-resolution projection displays powering automotive, consumer and digital signage applications
Software in design:
AlertMe.com: An online service showing consumers where their home energy goes, and giving them control
Start-up:
Tabula: Tabula Inc 3-D programmable logic devices – the world's first 3-D programmable logic devices manufactured using TSMC's 40nm process
Sustainability:
Farnell: A new environmentally-friendly alternative to polythene static-dissipative electronic components packaging
Team:
Stingray Geophysical: FosarDeep Team – collaborative, multi-disciplinary team delivering the FosarDeep solution for cost-effective installation of an integrated, fibre-optic deepwater seismic permanent reservoir monitoring system
Telecommunications:
BT Research and Technology: BT Wide Area Network Optimisation Services (WOS) – Improving application performance by up to 100x whilst substantially reducing network costs for enterprises
Transport:
Antonov Automotive Technologies: A three-speed high efficiency automatic transmission for increasing the performance and range of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles
Nigel Fine, chief executive of the IET, commented, "These awards clearly demonstrate how innovation in engineering and technology result in tangible benefits for people around the world. More efficient electric vehicles and faster analysis of DNA are the kind of developments that help to deliver a greener future and potentially save lives. I am very proud of the innovation awards because they cut straight to the core vision of the IET – advancing knowledge in order to enhance people's lives."
