Amphion Partner Company, Kromek, Wins Two Innovation Awards
5 November, 2008 - Amphion Innovations (LSE: AMP) Partner Company, Kromek, won two trophies at the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Annual Innovation Awards 2008.
Based at Netpark in Sedgefield, County Durham, the company won the accolades for its revolutionary work in x-ray technology and its development of x-ray explosives scanners at a ceremony in London’s Park Plaza Riverbank, hosted by TV presenter Maggie Philbin.
Kromek won both the security and transport awards for the use of its energy selective x-ray detectors which accurately identify threat materials in security applications.
Kromek Chief Executive Dr Arnab Basu said: “We are delighted and honoured to have won these awards. They underline the fact that ours is a world-class technology that has moved from the R&D stage to the commercialisation of products which may soon be used in airports across the UK and further afield.’’
IET Chief Executive, Robin McGill, said, “I would like to congratulate all the winning and shortlisted entries in this year’s Innovation Awards, which demonstrate genuine novelty and represent a significant technological advance for the industry. The entries which made it to the shortlist are a very impressive role call of innovation and although it may be a cliché to say “everyone is a winner,” in this case I am sure it is true. The awards highlight the depth and breadth of innovative work which is being carried out and it and it is clear from the range of entries that innovation is alive and well.’’
Professor Max Robinson, one of the founders of Kromek said: “We employ a team of very talented people and winning these awards is a great endorsement of all their skill, dedication and hard work. This truly is innovation on an international scale.”
As airports continue to restrict passengers transporting liquids in hand luggage, Kromek, which pioneered digital colour imaging for use in x-rays and scanners, is developing a range of unique x-ray based scanners for use in airports to identify threat materials, in particular liquid based threats.
These systems – which will be released over the coming months - will enable direct identification of prohibited liquids in single isolated bottles, inside clear 311 bags and bottles and containers in suitcases.
Forthcoming products include:
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A Threat liquid Identification system using digital colour x-ray detectors for the rapid identification of liquid inside a bottle without the need to open the bottle or sample the liquid. This product will be launched in November in Dubai and in December in Washington.
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A 311+ scanner using the same technology to scan for any threat liquids contained in bottles in a 311 bag (plastic bags which are used for carrying small bottles of liquid in aircrafts). This product will be launched within the next three months.
Kromek is currently carrying out the development of its baggage imaging systems under contract in conjunction with the UK Home office and is in talks with a number of other interested parties about the purchase of its technology.
For further information
Press Ahead
Peter Jackson
07956 971501
About Kromek
Kromek is a venture backed high technology company, which was spun-out in April 2003 as Durham Scientific Crystals, from the Physics Department of the University of Durham. Rebranded as Kromek in May 2008, its pioneering digital colour imaging for x-rays has brought ground-breaking innovation to materials technology and advanced 3D imaging that will literally change the way in which we see the world. The Company specialises in making semiconductor materials within the Cadmium Telluride family. These materials have significant applications as detectors of x-rays and gamma rays, notably in medical imaging, security screening, industrial inspection and space exploration, allowing for very precise identification of materials. Cadmium Zinc Telluride is also the material of choice as a substrate for the fabrication of infrared detectors in both civilian and military markets. In addition to its range of semiconductor materials, detector packages and non imaging detection systems Kromek also supplies x-ray imaging packages with multi view capabilities. These x-ray display platforms provide real 3D x-ray imaging for the first time without specialist viewing equipment.
On the web: www.kromek.com
About IET Innovation Awards
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The award categories were: Asset Management, Built Environment, Electronics, Emerging Technologies, Information Technology, Power and Energy, Product Design, Project Team, Measurement in Action, Security, Software in Design, Start-ups, Sustainability, Telecommunications, and Transport.
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The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a world leading professional organisation, sharing and advancing knowledge to promote science, engineering and technology across the world.
For more information, visit www.theiet.org -
The IET dates from 1871 and has 150,000 members in 127 countries with offices in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
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The IET licenses EngTech, IEng and CEng; is supporting the Engineering Diploma and developing the new ICTtech and accredits more than 160 undergraduate courses in the UK
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The IET operates IET.tv, a web TV service which covers a wide range of engineering and technology events and content.
For more information, visit www.iet.tv -
The IET celebrates 100 years at its London home, Savoy Place, in June 2009 and will be staging a programme of centenary celebrations
About Amphion
Amphion (LSE: AMP) builds shareholder value in high growth companies in the medical and technology sectors, by using a focused, hands-on company building approach, based on decades of experience in both the US and UK. Amphion has significant shareholding in 10 Partner Companies, developing proven technologies targeting substantial commercial marketplaces, each in excess of $1 billion. Each Partner Company is chosen with the goal of achieving an exit valuation in excess of $100 million.
On the web: www.amphionplc.com
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