Datakey Electronics Inc. (Savage, MN) is the Gold Award winner. Engineers Richie Rosenlund, Mark Giefer and Bill Stifle were selected by the magazine’s readers for the company’s line of Managed-Memory™ NFX Tokens and NFX Family. The tokens are portable data transport devices optimized for use in original-equipment manufacturing systems controlled by embedded microprocessors.

Mobilsonic (San Jose, CA) is the Silver Award winner for its VUE 100 Handheld Ultrasound Scanner. The device, designed by Dale Lynn Emis, Bao Le, Quang Ton and Adrian McVicker, puts ultrasound into the hands of medical practitioners, allowing quick and hassle-free imaging as well as the option of home visits to very ill or incapacitated patients.

Gems Sensors & Controls (Plainville, CT) is the Bronze Award winner. Engineers Jim Dockendorff, Mike Riddell, Kevin Downs, Bryan LaBarge, Victor Fonseca and George Lewis designed the ExOsense™ liquid level sensor. The device attaches to the outside surface of plastic bottles or containers during manufacturing and detects the presence or absence of fluid through the bottle wall.

“We want to congratulate all three winners. We had 50 strong finalists this year and voting by our readers was very close,” said Product Design & Development Editor in Chief Len Vermillion. “In the end, we have three spectacular new products, which provide tremendous services and deliver on the contest’s purpose to honor how engineering innovation is making our world a better place.”

The three winning teams receive a crystal globe, which symbolizes how engineering is improving the world. In addition, all three will be the focus of the magazine’s April 2007 cover story. Rounding out the top 10 were: SolidWorks, SpaceAge Control, COSMOS, Microchip, Maplesoft, Minco and M Ship Co. All 50 finalists can be seen by selecting the links below.