Hothouse Inventor Competition 2009
Inventor Competition Winners 2009
l-r Pearl O Rourke,Dr Mikel Gainza, Tom Flanagan Hothouse, Prof Brian Norton, Donnacha Curley Sponsor, Dennis Bade, Andy Gray Hothouse, Prof Vincent Toal, Dr Suzanne Martin, To Front- Dr Izabela Naydenova.
Dublin Institute of Technology today announced the winners of its 2009 Inventor Competition which is open to all staff and students in DIT. The event was sponsored by leading Dublin-based Patent Attorneys Hanna, Moore & Curley.
The President of DIT, Professor Brian Norton, together with Donnacha Curley, a partner in the firm and graduate of DIT, presented the awards to:
- Overall Best Invention -Dr Suzanne Martin, Dr Izabela Naydenova, Prof Vincent Toal and Dennis Bade
l-r: Prof Brian Norton, Dr Suzanne Martin, Dennis Bade, Donnacha Curley, Dr Izabela Naydenova, Prof Vincent Toal
The IEO Group invented a vibration insensitive holography technique that allows the production of holograms without expensive optical benches and high coherence lasers. “It is equivalent to inventing the Polaroid for Holography” said Tom Flanagan, Head of Commercialization, Hothouse DIT who chaired the Judging panel. The panel included Donnacha Curley of Hanna Moore and Curley and Dr Andy Gray, Senior Licensing Exec Hothouse DIT.
- Best staff / postgrad category - Dr. Mikel Gainza
l-r Dr Mikel Gainza Prof Brian Norton
Mikel invented an audio thumbnail generator that uses algorithms to extract the chorus or catchy bit of a piece of music. Specific pieces of music / tracks can then easily be identified and / or found using this “thumbnail”.
- Best undergrad category - Pearl O’Rourke
l-r Pearl O Rourke, Prof Brian Norton
As part of her final year of an undergraduate degree in product design, Pearl invented a Phlebotomy Aid, that allows the easy extraction of blood samples. The device facilitates the location of veins and makes them easy to target. It also aids the manual insertion of a needle, the collection of samples and the disposal of used needles. Pearl and her invention was featured earlier in the week on TV3’s Morning AM.
Tom Flanagan, Head of Commercialisation, started the competition four years ago under the auspices of Hothouse, which is the innovation and technology transfer centre in DIT. The competition is growing in popularity.
Hothouse
Hothouse is the award winning Innovation and Technology Centre at Dublin Institute of Technology. Hothouse draws on academic talent and entrepreneurial creativity and provides a dynamic environment to fast-track business and technologies to commercial success.
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