Three UK companies compete for engineering innovation award

The Royal Academy of Engineering's MacRobert Award is the UK's longest running national prize for engineering innovation, three UK companies have been revealed as this year's finalists.

Edinburgh-based Artemis Intelligent Power has been selected for developing a digital hydraulic power system that unlocks the ability to generate greater levels of power from offshore wind turbines. Specifically, improving power capacity and overcoming reliability issues associated with existing turbines.

Endomag is based in Cambridge and has been chosen for its pioneering breast cancer diagnostic tool that avoids the use of radioactive tracers in determining the spread of cancer through the lymphatic system. The SentiMag probe developed by Endomag identifies sentinel lymph nodes for removal by detecting a magnetic, rather than radioactive, tracer signal.

Blackpool-based Victrex has created high performing ultra-thin polymers. Initially enabling smartphone speakers and earbuds to produce high-quality sound without risk of failure, they could now be a key material for enabling the flexible electronics revolution.

Dame Sue Ion DBE FREng, chair of the MacRobert Award judging panel, said: "Each of this year's finalists has demonstrated remarkable drive and determination to achieve technical advances that can make a difference to many aspects of our lives. The variety and standard of engineering skills behind each innovation is testament to the UK's strength in the sector."

Each of these companies is competing for a gold medal and a £50,000 cash prize. The winner will be announced on 16 July 2015 at the Academy's annual awards dinner in London.