Finalists Named in 2005 Utah Innovation Awards Program
4/19/2005
CONTACT: Nicole Larson , Marketing Manager, (801) 715-6657
SALT LAKE CITY- Eighteen high-tech innovations and the Utah companies that created them have been selected as finalists in the third annual Stoel Rives UTAH INNOVATION AWARDS. This statewide program is sponsored by
Wasatch Digital iQ magazine, the Utah Engineering Experiment Station, the Utah Information Technology Association and the business law firm Stoel Rives LLP, with support from MountainWest Capital Network and the Utah Life Science Association.
Six winners-one from each category-will be announced at an awards lunch on May 19, 2005 at noon in the University of Utah Olpin Union Ballroom. A committee of 54 experts from private industry, government and higher education selected the award finalists, three in each of the program's six categories: biotechnology, chemicals, medical devices, computer software & Web services, electrical devices and mechanical devices. Votes were tallied by the accounting firm KPMG. More details about the awards program are available at www.stoel.com/innovation.
LIST OF FINALISTS (BY CATEGORY)
Biotechnology finalists. AnzenBio's Bio Detector is a handheld device for on-site detection of bacteria, viruses, mold and biotoxins. The RAZOR Instrument and PathFinder Sample Pouch, created by Idaho Technology Inc., is a portable diagnostic instrument for the rapid detection of pathogens. Telomere Measurement by Quantitative PCR, created by the University of Utah, is an assay that permits the measurement of Telomere length, which correlates to mortality from age-related disease.
Chemicals finalists. CarbonX Non-Flammable Textile, created by Chapman Innovations, is used primarily in protective apparel. Nano-Structured Coatings, created by High Performance Coatings, Inc., are nanotechnology surface treatments producing disruptive thermal/corrosion/abrasion resistance and bonding performance. CarbylanTM, a new class of biomaterials created by Sentrx Surgical Inc., promotes scar-free healing in a large variety of postsurgical applications.
Medical devices finalists. NOMAD Handheld X-Ray System, created by ARIBA X-Ray Inc., is a truly portable x-ray device for dental radiography. Proximare PFO Occluder, created by Proximare Inc., is a catheter-delivered device to close a patent foramen ovale. The Ultrasound CTTM Imaging System, created by TechniScan Medical Systems, is a new, non-invasive ultrasound technology for breast imaging and analysis.
Computer software & Web services finalists. NetCaptureTM Business, created by NetDeposit, Inc., is innovative business software that scans paper checks and clears them electronically. NextPage 1.5, created by NextPage, allows people to efficiently share and collaborate on documents without changing the way they work. RappidMapper's Life Dimension camera and software is the revolution in visualization. It captures and provides real-world, photo-quality 3D views with dimensions and GPS data.
Electrical devices finalists. The Barco Blaze, created by Barco, is a portable 170-inch diagonal, full-color, outdoor LED video and graphics display solution. 9XTend RF Modem, created by MaxStream, Inc., is a long-range wireless data modem. Dickson Grating, created by Wasatch Photonics, is an advanced holographic optic that enables next-generation lasers, optical networking and biochemical sensor instrumentation.
Mechanical devices finalists. Friction Stir Welding (processing of super-hard metals) is possible through the collaboration of Brigham Young University and MegaStir Technologies, Inc. ECONOVA Water Treatment System, created by Econova Inc., is a mechanical system that treats waste water in minutes without chemicals. Utah State University's Twisteron technology replaces ailerons, reducing the drag on an airplane during flight and saving fuel.
"Taking part in this year's Innovation Awards has been an energizing experience," says UITA president and CEO Richard Nelson. "It is clear that Utah's high-tech community is filled with an under-discovered population of young, driven entrepreneurs who, with the help of the UTAH INNOVATION AWARDS, have now been given an opportunity to make their innovations known."
WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT MAY 19 EVENT
The awards lunch will be the centerpiece event of the Edison Conference, a day-long event that includes presentations by industry leaders and a showcase of Utah innovations. The lunch will feature Fraser Bullock, Founder/Managing Director of Sorenson Capital, as guest speaker.
The cost to attend the awards lunch only is $40 per person or $320 for a table that seats eight. The registration fee for the Edison Conference is $95. The conference cost includes a May 18 pre-event reception and the May 19 day-long event, including the awards lunch. To register for the awards lunch and the Edison Conference, visit www.utah.edu/uees. For more information, contact Dr. Terrence Chatwin at 801-581-6348 or terrence.chatwin@utah.edu.