CANADA NEEDS MORE CANADIANS, AND EVEN MORE BIG IDEAS
by Anna Smith

Canadian inventors are responsible for some of the most important discoveries ever made – discoveries that have changed the lives of people all over the world.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

YOUNG GAME INVENTORS CONTEST
by Anna Smith

In keeping with its commitment to help children learn and interact while having fun, University Games is sponsoring its annual National Young Game Inventors Contest (NYGIC) for 2004. In this one-of-a-kind contest, kids invent their own board game and have the chance to have it produced! Created by University Games in 1993, the NYGIC encourages imagination, critical thinking, deductive reasoning, creativity, and education through the process of board game invention.

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NEW MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNIQUE
by Anna Smith

Researchers at Rensselaer are working to develop a new medical imaging technique designed to determine the relative stiffness of soft tissue for the diagnosis of injury and disease.

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ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT ONE-OF-A-KIND INVENTION
by Anna Smith

While the rest of the world continues to use old technology to clean percolation lakes, Orange County Water District (OCWD) is now using four full-scale versions of its patented Basin Cleaning Vehicle (BCV) hood technology. OCWD’s cleaning method is unique in that a BCV hood—similar to a swimming pool cleaner—cleans the lake while it is full of water. Traditional methods involve emptying the lake, drying it out, and scraping the bottom with heavy equipment to remove one-quarter to one-inch thick clogging layer. The four new barge-like BCV’s cost $4 million and are projected to help increase the amount of water available for Orange County residents.

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ALION INVENTION PROVIDING GREATER SAFETY TO MILITARY PERSONNEL WINS ARMY AWARD
by Anna Smith

Alion Science and Technology was recognized for contributions to developing one of the “Army’s Greatest Inventions” of the past year. The award was presented to Alion's customer, the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), National Automotive Center, where a team of engineers helped develop a new weapons mount that can vastly increase the safety of troops traveling in “Humvees”. The weapons mount is now being used by the US military in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While the original mount was restricted in motion, the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) Pintle Mount Assembly gives the crew greater flexibility to defend themselves from threats located on higher ground. The swivel mount is attached between the front and rear doors on the vehicle, allowing crew members in either the front or rear seats to use the SAW more effectively. As a result, they can more quickly respond to a variety of threats from different directions.

In a ceremony held July 22, team members were recognized for their roles in winning the award with certificates from General Paul J. Kern, commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.

Alion CEO Bahman Atefi said that the award reflects the spirit that drives the company. “Alion is a company of experts and innovators dedicated in supporting the warfighter. We truly appreciate this recognition from the Army and we are very proud of our employee-owners who made this solution possible.”

The awards, given annually by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, recognize innovations that improve the Army’s readiness. Ten inventions were selected for this year’s awards, which were presented in a June ceremony. Entries were judged based on their impact on Army capabilities, potential benefit outside the Army and their inventiveness.