InnoVision Awards Announces 2020 Award Finalists
(For questions: Contact Amy Robichaud at amy.robichaud@innovisionawards.org)
InnoVision awards recognizes innovation in South Carolina annually through its InnoVision Awards program. This year, InnoVision received a record number of applications reflecting both the strength of the innovation economy in South Carolina and the special circumstances of the 2020 pandemic.
Each year, InnoVision Awards recognizes innovative companies and individuals in several categories: Technology Development, Technology Application, Small Business, Sustainability, Education, and Community Service. It also recognizes programs that teach STEM and innovation through its Ibrahim Janajreh Young Innovator Award and individual life-time achievement through the Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award.
After observing so many innovative responses to the Covid-19 challenge, the InnoVision Board of Directors added a special award category for 2020: Covid-19 Response. Once applications were received, they were divided into three categories: technology research, technology application, and community service.
InnoVision will host a series of Tuesday Meet the Finalists online get-togethers to announce and congratulate the finalists in two award categories each Tuesday at 4:00, starting Sept 29th and ending October 20th. “We invite everyone to join us for our weekly virtual receptions to meet our finalists and hear them talk about their innovations,” said Amy Robichaud. The finalists, reception dates, and event links are posted on our website at www.innovisionawards.org.
The winners will be announced at the Tuesday, November 17th Awards Ceremony. Since it is a virtual celebration this year, it is open and free to the public. InnoVision appreciates the important role their sponsors have played in making this happen. Contec is the Award Celebration Sponsor. South Carolina Research Authority and Velux are the Meet the Finalist Series sponsors. Sponsors for individual award categories are noted in the list below.
- Technology Development – Fluor
- Technology Integration – Immedion
- Sustainability – Milliken
- Small Business – Kim & Lahey Law Firm
- Education – Techtronic Industries Power Equipment
InnoVision Awards, established in 1999, is South Carolina’s premier organization dedicated to the advancement of innovation and technology. InnoVision is the only program of its kind – a grass-roots, volunteer-led non-profit organization made up of businesses, organizations, universities, and individuals dedicated to finding innovation and technology in products, services, and education from across the state, and recognizing and honoring peers for achievements in their respective fields. InnoVision Awards are the mark of distinction for outstanding leadership, innovation, and technological excellence.
Community Service: Global Transplant Solutions introduced a new plastic package with a pleated resilient polymer design that permits clinicians to hygienically break up saline ice into a fine powder, to provide a slush for cooling human organs prior to harvesting.
Education:USC College of Engineering and Computing has created a new MS program in Technology Innovation that inspires entrepreneurial minded science and engineering students to take leaderships roles in product design in large organizations, and embark on new business ventures.
Small Enterprise: Tetramer Technologies synthesized a new polyimide coating with a service temperature of more than 350°C, to deliver superior performance to optical fibers, wires, and films.
Sustainability: Unlimited Power, LTD.engineered a modular, solar-powered charging and storage solution called HiveSystem™ which enables a 24-hour personal solar power grid.
Technology Development: Heatworks has invented a carbon electrode array that uses the minerals in the water supply to act as the heating element, yielding a 40% cost reduction and delivering cleaner hot water.
Technology Integration: Contec Healthcare has partnered with Tietex International to create PREMIRA®, a disposable microfiber mop that is revolutionizing the way that people clean in healthcare environments.
Young Innovator: Converse College created the Science, Technology and Research Scholars, or S.T.A.R.S. initiative, which selects high school students to work in a university laboratory, alongside undergraduates, graduates and professors to build confidence and ignite their love and interest in STEM fields.
