Two companies win show product awards

The Innovators Center is something of an institution at ISA conferences and exhibits now. It came about when the tech concept and format arose in 1997 for the Anaheim show. A piece of software won top prize that year, and software swept both honorable mentions, too. Software has continued to have its way with the top prizes since then.

Nothing has changed. Despite the dearth of software products entered in this year’s competition—three out of 60 applicants—CyboSoft’s model-free adaptive control and optimization software took the top prize: the ISA President’s Award.

CyboCon 5.0 can figure optimal fuel/air ratio without knowing or needing reliable oxygen measurement. The company sees the product as a quick fix for inefficient combustion processes.

The Innovators Center panel assesses the degree of innovation, future impact on industry, implementation of technology concepts, quality of presentation, supporting documentation, and general impression in making its decisions.

There are three judges on the panel, coming from industry, education, and engineering integration. This year, participants submitted abstracts on their proposed entries, and then the preliminary cut down began.

Honorable mentions went to ASCO for its 2oo2D-SOV solenoid valve, Endress+Hauser for its magmeter Micropilot S, and IQ Scientific Instruments for its pH measurement system IQ400.

Panametrics’ product, a clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter that works for low-pressure gases, won Best of Show in the New Product Showcase.

—Nicholas Sheble

Return to feature ...