The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has announced finalists for the 2010 Kruesi Award. The award recipient and finalists will be honored during the Spirit of Innovation Luncheon on April 28 at the Convention Center. For more information and to make reservations call 763-4366.
Kruesi finalists are:
Astec Industries, Inc.
Glenveigh Medical, LLC
Global Green Lighting, a division of Global Manufacturing Alliance Group
Innovative Software Design, Inc.
Interlock Industries, Inc.
Lectrus
Thermal Transfer Composites, LLC.
Astec was nominated for a Kruesi for its Double Barrel Green System which allows the production of "warm‐mix" asphalt cement without the use of expensive or caustic additives or systems. In doing so, it provides a 14% reduction in the fuel usage, emissions and costs related to producing asphalt cement.
Astec’s "Double Barrel Green System works extremely well with recycled asphalt cement. As a result, asphalt cement makers that utilize Astec’s technology are able to recycle 100% of the used paving materials they receive.
"Studies show that cities lay about 2.5 tons of asphalt per person each year," said Astec President Ben Brock. "Since each ton of asphalt requires 1.8 gallons of diesel to mix, Double Barrel Green’s 14% cost and emissions savings are significant."
Glenveigh Medical, LLC is a Kruesi finalist for five innovative products designed for the obstetrical care arena. The primary innovation consists of the scientific theory and testing of an existing drug, Digibind, for a pregnancy disease called preeclampsia which has no effective treatment.
"Preeclampsia complicates 5-8% of all pregnancies and is one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal death worldwide," said Dr. David Adair, Glenveigh’s chief science officer, chairman and founder.
"Glenveigh's recently completed Phase 2 clinical trial is the most advanced efficacy study for severe preeclampsia. Basic research conducted by the company has led to numerous patent applications and acceptances. This research has also provided invaluable insight into other areas of medicine such as vascular biology and diseases of inflammation."
Global Green Lighting, a division of Global Manufacturing Alliance Group, is a Kruesi Award contender for designing and manufacturing a new LED (light emitting diode) street light fixture that exceeds the performance objectives established by the U.S. Department of Energy to advance the introduction of energy-efficient, white-light sources for general illumination.
"Last year Global Green Lighting launched its line of low energy lighting products that include induction and LED street lights that are 200 percent brighter and use up to 80 percent less energy than typical HPS (high pressure sodium) or MH (metal handle) lamps," said Don Lepard, GGL owner and president.
"Our primary applications for these LED fixtures are retrofit and new installations of outdoor lighting used for primary and secondary roadway lighting, parking lots, tunnels and pedestrian walk-ways. It is our goal to help clean up the environment, one light at a time."
Innovative Software Design has developed a robotically controlled 3-D laser scanner for scanning impressions and plaster models in orthodontic offices. The associated software also has the ability to add trimmed plaster bases on the virtual plaster models which eliminates the need to pour plaster models and eliminates the grinding, trimming, and finishing of plaster models for orthodontic purposes.
"In addition, it allows the user to simulate orthodontic tooth movement and calculate the distances that teeth need to travel in the supporting hard and soft tissues in order to obtain optimal relationships to the adjacent and opposing teeth," said Dan Knoch, who, with wife Sylvia, owns the company.
At $15,000 the scanner is $20,000 less than earlier scanners whose prohibitive cost put them out of reach for the average orthodontic practice. This 3-D laser scanner and software will allow the orthodontists to design accurate orthodontic appliances, eliminate thousands of dollars of lab fees and shipping costs, and shorten treatment time – saving money for patients, as well.
Interlock Industries, Inc. manufactures a full line of eco-friendly, water-based commercial and residential floor and wall adhesives called Spray-Lock. Since 2006, the company’s adhesives have been applied under more than 200-million-square-feet of Walmart flooring.
"Our proprietary and patented technology allows us to apply 60‐80% less adhesive while achieving superior results," said owner Fred Land. "For Walmart alone, this has translated into a savings of almost 4.5 million pounds of glue since 2006."
Spray-Lock, which saves customers time and money, has received the coveted Floor Score and Green Label Plus green certifications. The certifications allowed Interlock to be used in the Majestic 12, the first LEED-certified cinema in Chattanooga.
Lectrus, an electrical integration and metal enclosure manufacturer, has developed the industry’s first blast resistant equipment center. A blast resistant equipment center is a robust metal walk‐in enclosure that houses and protects critical electrical equipment in the unlikely event of an explosion at a petrochemical processing facility.
Each Lectrus center is engineered and built specifically for each application. Electrical equipment is integrated at Lectrus’ plant and transported by truck to the job site, ready for installation.
"Outside of protecting personnel during a blast event at a refinery, nothing is more critical than sustaining the proper function of process‐related automatic shutoff valves and critical power equipment, as well as water pumps for fire protection," said Deron Austin, Lectrus vice president of marketing.
Thermal Transfer Composites has developed a new generation of thermally conductive composites that have greater heat transmitting ability and lower thermal expansion than their predecessors. Automotive, computer and aerospace firms are among the potential and present customers for the composites which also have uses in new green technologies for mass transit and wind turbines, as well hybrid and electric cars.
"With the introduction of the Primex Ultra line of Al/SiC (alumni alloys and silicon carbide ceramics) composites TTC’s thermal performance has now increased by 42% and production costs are reduced by more than 30%," said to Dr. Dan White, chief executive officer and co-founder of TTC. "Now these new materials also provide lower thermal expansion and higher stiffness than any other Al/SiC composites currently on the market. The innovation of Primex Ultra allows Thermal Transfer Composites to offer the highest performance in the industry with cost advantages above and beyond their toughest competitors."