Partner Article

Durham Scientific in line for accolade

A high tech Durham company has been shortlisted for a leading industry award. Durham Scientific Crystals, which has pioneered a process to revolutionise digital x-ray technology, is in the running for the University Spin-out category of The Engineer Magazine’s Technology and Innovation Awards 2007.

The award is for excellence in a business formed within the last five years to commercially exploit an idea or product originating in a university. The winners of all the awards – chosen from more than 100 entrants – will be announced at a ceremony to be held at Imperial College, London, in September.

Andrew Rees of The Engineer said: “The purpose of the awards is to highlight the great work being done within our universities, which are an integral part of the UK’s innovation and technology sector. It has often been said that our universities are great at technological innovation but poor at converting it into successful businesses. If that was true in the past, things are changing rapidly and a new entrepreneurial spirit is sweeping our campuses. We want the awards to encourage companies to take a good look at some of benefits that can come from collaborating with the universities.”

DSC was set up in 2003 to commercially exploit the work of Durham University’s Dr Andy Brinkman into the preparation of Cadmium Telluride Crystals and their application in x-ray technology. DSC’s technology makes it cheaper and easier to use the crystals in applications ranging from medical imaging to security screening.

DSC managing director Dr Arnab Basu said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. It shows that the work we are doing here – work which has hugely far-reaching implications – is being recognised by our peers in industry and that’s very gratifying.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .