Plessey EPIC sensor wins IET award

The award was presented to Plessey and the Department of Engineering and Design at the University of Sussex, who conducted the original research. The awards, which took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in London, were established to recognise the most innovative companies operating within a wide variety of engineering and technology disciplines, with winners announced in 15 categories. Entries were assessed for the level of innovation shown, the thoroughness with which ideas have been pursued, the economic or social benefits involved and the degree to which the work has pioneered a significant new field or activity. According to the judges, the EPIC sensor was chosen as the winner for its development of an electrical measurement technique for exploitation in a wide range of markets. Its high sensitivity enables it to be used to detect electric charge through an insulating layer and it has application in healthcare, materials testing, security and forensics. Dr Paul James, Plessey Semiconductors' EPIC programme director, said: "We are delighted that EPIC has won another prestigious award. To receive so many awards from our peers is a tremendous testiment to this innovative technology." Professor Mike Short, president of the IET, added: "These awards are a great way to showcase some fantastic innovations taking place in engineering and technology worldwide. The winners this year come from a wide variety of backgrounds and many have aimed to solve issues that impact our society; from saving lives to helping deliver a brighter and greener future. The IET Innovation awards offered are an important annual landmark for the IET, illustrating some of the latest and best ideas and designs that align with our core vision of advancing knowledge to enhance and improve people's lives."