Another year and a new batch of people, projects and products have been revealed as finalists in the IET Excellence and Innovation Awards.
Nearly 100 expert judges have spent the summer poring over hundreds of entries to this year’s awards. There is added nuance to all the awards as the IET looks to build on the introduction to societal issues over recent years.
The organisers say: “Once more, we want to celebrate the engineers using science and technology to find solutions to the biggest challenges humankind is currently facing. We believe in excellence and innovation but with impact and a long-term view, and we are incorporating social and environmental impact across all categories.”
The big reveal is on 15 November 2023 at the inspiring Glasgow Science Centre – just a short walk over the Millennium footbridge over the River Clyde to the Crowne Plaza where the IET’s Powering Net Zero Week is taking place (see page 98).
If you are interested in attending the awards, more information is available at innovationawards.theiet.org/book-a-table-or-ticket
AI and robotics
QiO Technologies
QiO Technologies is an industrial IoT AI software products company supporting energy-intensive and asset-heavy industries, data centre and telecom companies in accelerating their sustainability and net zero agenda.
Precision Robotics
Precision Robotics is an innovative early-stage company at the forefront of developing cutting-edge medical robots for natural orifice and single-port procedures.
Q5D Technologies
Q5D’s 5-axis CNC additive manufacturing robot is the first to automate wiring assembly.
National Grid Electricity Transmission
The age of AI: UK’s first trials to develop fully automated overhead line inspection.
SEC Storage
DIDO – Data In, Design Out – is an artificially intelligent system optimisation platform bot whose role is to design a fully optimised warehouse and ensure it remains optimised post-implementation.
Synthesized
Synthesized is on a mission to make the creation and access of high-quality data fast and easy. The team developed the Synthesized Scientific Data Kit (SDK), used to generate high-quality synthetic data for use in machine learning and data science tasks.
Chief Engineer of the Year
Natalia Talkowska, Natalka Design
Comments from the judges:
“Natalia achieved remarkable business results within her own company and inspired others to develop digital skills, strategic roadmaps and the ability to sum up complex concepts in a simple and effective way.”
Robert Bamber, Tokamak Energy
Comments from the judges:
“He demonstrated outstanding excellence and innovation in the field of engineering as well as leadership in the workplace by means of bringing a culture of devolved responsibility which fostered a culture of camaraderie championing equality, diversity and inclusion.”
Communications and IT
Radio Data Networks
A hybrid satellite and terrestrial telemetry based, emergency/temporary flood/flow gauging system and service that permits the rapid deployment of water level gauging stations in urban and remote locations to improve rail safety and flood resilience.
Neutral Wireless, University of Strathclyde, BBC R&D, LiveU, Sony Europe, Haivision
Working with BBC R&D and BBC News, Neutral Wireless designed and deployed a large-scale, uplink-optimised 5G standalone non-public network (SNPN), using shared spectrum to provide over 1Gbps of uncontested wireless uplink connectivity for domestic and foreign broadcasters.
BT Active Intelligence
BT Active Intelligence has created a new data solution that turns anonymised raw data from the EE network into insights.
Arqit, Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, Lime Microsystems and Slipstream Engineering Design
The world’s first OpenRAN 5G base station with software-controlled, wideband power amplifiers and cloud quantum encryption.
Anila Ramadani
The objective of this project is how to design effectively object-oriented software systems, a knowledge gap found in the applicant’s Computer Science and Informatics Division.
Emerging Technology of the year
FlexEnable
FlexEnable’s biaxially formable optical films bring game-changing capabilities to AR and VR optics, enabling tunable lenses and pixelated ambient dimming with almost no additional weight or thickness.
TurinTech
TurinTech is the leader in code optimisation for machine learning and other data-heavy applications, helping businesses become more efficient and sustainable by accelerating time-to-production and reducing costs.
Neutral Wireless, University of Strathclyde, BBC R&D, LiveU, Sony Europe, Haivision
Deploying the largest temporary private 5G network in the world – featuring right radios providing coverage from Buckingham Palace to Admiralty Arch.
University College London/Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore
Virtual reality combined with sensory feedback through a robot reduces neuropathic pain in patients with spine and nerve injuries and post-amputation pain.
PulpaTronics
PulpaTronics develops fully recyclable paper RFID tags that eliminate metal mining, simplify manufacturing processes and streamline recycling.
Zelemiq
A simple wearable sensor for electrochemically measuring blood chemistry through fully intact skin using novel dermis conditioning technology – no needles, no pain, rapid results.
Engineering Team of the Year
Northumbrian Water
Comments from the judges: “The submission demonstrated good leadership in the implementation of a strategy which involved a large team across a large geographical spread, and the upskilling of technicians.”
Aerogen
Comments from the judges: “The team demonstrated true leadership and outstanding teamwork by supporting individuals, encouraging and empowering them to voice their ideas and listening to each other.”
Birmingham City University
Comments from the judges: “There is a real sense of team work and collaboration, with many DEIB [diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging] aspects considered.”
University of Strathclyde
Comments from the judges: “The submission demonstrates collaborative team effort; it is impressive to be able to troubleshoot very quickly in high-pressure situations by understanding team and team member capability.”
Tokamak Energy
Comments from the judges: “The submission describes good leadership, collaboration and key stakeholder management, as well as how the diverse core team were able to work together efficiently, achieving a world first.”
Mott MacDonald
Comments from the judges: “The submission demonstrated excellent leadership and teamwork, considering each of the team members’ diverse skill-set.”
Future Cities & Smart Technology
PulpaTronics
Reducing costs and emissions through fully recyclable paper RFID tags.
BT Active Intelligence
Creating a new data solution that turns anonymised raw data from the EE network into insights.
Cyanoskin
Cyanoskin goes beyond traditional paint, as it not only beautifies buildings but also actively captures and reduces CO2 levels in the surrounding area.
Future Mobility
Firstco
The Firstco Vertiport Management System provides the digital infrastructure required to enable the remote management of a distributed vertiport network.
Duku
Duku’s electric vehicle charger features novel automated cable management that enables people with disabilities and poor strength/dexterity the freedom to independently charge their vehicles.
Ricardo
Ricardo has developed a liquid hydrogen-cooled powertrain for long-haul mobility. This propulsion inverter has a liquid hydrogen cooling plate featuring microchannels for equal flow distribution.
Health Technology
smartR.AI
alertR is a behavioural intelligence-based alerting system providing speedy support and assistance to protect vulnerable individuals.
Precision Robotics
Precision Robotics targets early-stage interventions and develops robotic technologies to enable personalised and precision treatments with its portable medical robot.
Occuity
The AX1 Axiometer is the world’s first handheld, optical, non-contact meter, crucial in managing myopia.
Genpax
IDEM provides new genome analysis capabilities for proactive control of hospital, emergent, and AMR bacterial infections.
mPulse-O2
mPulse-O2 aims to transform the pulse oximetry technology by overcoming the lack of inclusivity in design and validation of biomedical devices.
University College London/Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore
Reducing pain in patients with spine and nerve injuries and post-amputation pain.
International
Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute of Tsinghua University
This bimodal robotic underwater inspection system solves the detection problem of underwater concrete sediment shielding.
Boston University
This innovation focuses on metamaterials that markedly boost the signal-to-noise ratio of magnetic resonance imaging and significantly improve performance.
China Electric Power Research Institute
ADPSS is a digital power system simulator based on high-performance PC clusters. It accurately simulates complex power systems with large-scale AC-DC interconnected grids containing high penetration of renewable energy devices.
GE HealthCare
GE HealthCare was inspired to design an MRI coil that would free patients from the experience of traditional rigid heavy coils by providing ones that were both comfortable and comforting.
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Six-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) video is one of the contenders for the next generation of video communication, providing a major immersive visual experience to the audience.
China Electric Power Research Institute
This technology solves the problem of incorrect operation of protection in renewable-based power systems by identifying and isolating faults in the power grid.
Net Zero and Climate Action
GeoPura
GeoPura Hydrogen Power Unit provides zero-emission electricity for off-grid, temporary and back-up applications, enabling the elimination of diesel in the hardest-to-reach sectors.
Cyanoskin
By harnessing the power of photosynthesis, Cyanoskin efficiently absorbs CO2 and helps combat the negative environmental impacts of urbanisation.
University of Manchester, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Demonstrating the value of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage for Net Zero and the UK’s Industrial Strategy project.
RheEnergise
Globally scalable, long-duration energy storage solution High-Density-Hydro® (HD Hydro®).
Pell Frischmann
The development of an open, embodied carbon analysis tool for structures (EC4S), better positioning industry and academia towards addressing the challenges of environmental and sustainability issues.
AstraZeneca
This F-Gas site management framework supports the delivery of long term sustainability goals,commitments and improvements.
Power and Energy
SP Energy
LV Engine is a global innovation project that revolutionises the way we operate the LV networks.
Distributed ReStart, National Grid ESO, SP Energy Networks and TNEI Consultancy
The Distributed ReStart Innovation Project – Electricity System Restoration from Distributed Energy Resources
Energy Systems Catapult and Strathclyde University
The Whole Energy Systems Accelerator is a world-first energy innovation test and evaluation facility enabling interactions.
University of Manchester, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
BECCS feasibility model for large-scale BECCS deployment in the UK.
RheEnergise
HD Hydro® helps create flexible, dispatchable renewable power grids.
EA Technology, SP Energy Networks
ConnectMore, a free software platform hosted on the SP Energy Networks website.
Rising Star of the Year
Ryan Levett-Lee, FHP ESS
“This applicant has handled delicate mergers, delivered a high-quality service, promoted and actively designed for sustainability and supported professional development of engineers.”
Vicky Paley, Protium
“Vicky Paley is a powerhouse of innovation, adding value to the workplace.”
Zeba Khanam, BT Group
“An award-winning, highly cited engineering researcher whose innovations continue to solve complex problems for diverse stakeholders, working towards a vision of building an inclusive and diverse engineering workplace.”
Daniel Mitchell, University of Glasgow
“Daniel has made a significant positive impact by fostering collaboration among world-changing engineers to solve real-world challenges.”
Shufang Zhu,University of Oxford
“Has a passion for contributing to the scientific and broader community.”
Jonathan Sinclair, Inclutech
“This applicant is dedicated to improving diversity levels in the tech industry and actively lobbies for improved STEM resourcing and promotes technology education.”
Start-up of the Year
GoCodeGreen
GoCodeGreen measures and identifies action to reduce the carbon impact of digital products and services.
Sustainable Sailing
Sustainable Sailing is developing technologies to recycle composites and sails in particular at their end of life.
Cardeo
Cardeo’s principal product is a unique, free app designed to help people manage, and ultimately refinance, their credit card debt.
Sustainability
University of Manchester, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Providing industry with bespoke options to decarbonise their activities.
University of Edinburgh
Enabling the uptake of cost-effective, recyclable thermoplastic-based composites in various industries (for example, renewable energy).
PulpaTronics
Fully recyclable paper RFID tags.
GoCodeGreen
GoCodeGreen’s mission is to help decarbonise the digital world in which we all live.
QiO Technologies
The Foresight Sustainability Suite™ collects data from industrial assets.
The embedded AI accelerates operational sustainability by identifying the most efficient ways to operate assets.
Technology for Social Impact
Kitt Medical
Kitt Medical has developed Anaphylaxis Kitts that are ‘just like a defibrillator, but for allergies’. The team has launched a multi-award-winning service providing over 100 schools with a supply of emergency adrenaline pens.
Northumbria University
This innovative Solar2Water system water production unit uses solar energy to extract moisture from the air and turn it into clean drinking water.
Zero Gravity Tech
Zero Gravity’s mission is to revolutionise opportunities for students from low-opportunity backgrounds, empowering them to access top UK universities and kickstart their careers by using an innovative personalised platform.
Apps4Good
The Brave-Hearts app tackles homelessness, allowing the user to pin the location of a person in need and supply helpful information.
mPulse-O2
mPulse-O2 is aiming to transform the pulse oximetry technology by overcoming and changing the lack of inclusivity in design and validation of biomedical devices.
Zelemiq
A simple wearable sensor for electrochemically measuring blood chemistry through fully intact skin using novel dermis conditioning technology – no needles, no pain, rapid results.
Young Pioneer of the Year
Sophie Maw
An affordable closed-loop shower system using innovative dual-filter backwashing technology. It aims to address water usage and sewage storage challenges, particularly at festivals.
Zachary Morgan
Make Maths Easier uses AI in order to design tailored lessons for individual pupils, ensuring they are being challenged to the level they are working at for every topic, while reporting all their hard work to their guardian for added parental involvement.
The Young Pioneer is a People’s Choice category. Details of how to vote, both before and on the Awards night, will be released nearer the time.
Who deserves a Royal Honour for services to engineering?