A competition that encourages excellence
Started in 2000 by the ET Foundation, these competitions have been a tremendous success, attracting hundreds of entries from around the world each year. The goal of the competition is to promote greater understanding and use of extruded aluminum profiles as well as to highlight innovations and recognize excellence in aluminum extrusion design.
Students may submit entries of any category including Structural, Transportation, and Commercial/Industrial/Consumer product areas. Winning designs are those that best demonstrate the benefits of aluminum extrusions, whether by creating a new product or improving an existing one. Entries are judged based on four basic criteria: creativity, practicality, process improvement, and market potential. This year, cash prizes total $8,000.
Hydro continues to play a key role
Hydro has been the exclusive prize sponsor for the ET Foundation since 2004.
Hydro also sponsors a special Hydro Sustainable Design Award. This prize will go to the student entry that, in addition to meeting the basic ET Foundation Design Competition criteria, best addresses societal and/or environmental concerns.
"Sustainability is an important value for our company and an important attribute of our industry," said Lynn Brown, Senior VP of Sales & Marketing of Hydro’s North American Extrusion Unit. "We believe that our on-going success depends not just on meeting financial criteria, but also on enhancing the viability of the communities we work in."
The winner of the Hydro Sustainable Design Award will be the student who best develops a viable extrusion-based product that meets the demands of the environment while contributing to the quality of life for its intended users. Last year’s winner, Jennifer Harmon, a student at Purdue University, won the award for her design of a Modular Arch Construction Set which could be used for easy-to-assemble shelters needed during disaster relief situations and at refugee camps.
Industry wins too
Innovation is a key objective of the competition. By exposing students to new ideas and challenges, it stimulates them to explore new ideas, new techniques, and new uses for aluminum.
"We feel strongly that the health of the extrusion industry is dependent upon innovation," explained Brown. "A strong and visible Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition is a key means of stimulating new applications and a renewed interest among students and professionals. And it helps attract bright young students to the field."
For more information or to submit an entry form, please visit www.etfoundation.org.
About the ET Foundation
The Extrusion Technology for Aluminum Profiles Foundation has been established for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes to develop, promote, provide, and fund education and research related to aluminum extrusion processes and technologies. For more information, contact the ET Foundation at 1000 N. Rand Road, Suite 214,
Wauconda, Illinois 60084. Telephone: (847) 526-2010; or visit www.etfoundation.org.
Author: Renee Tam
