The 2008 Millennium Technology Prize was presented to Professor Robert Langer today in Helsinki for developing innovative biomaterials for controlled drug release. The world’s largest technology prize is awarded by Technology Academy Finland for a technological innovation that significantly improves quality of human life and promotes sustainable development. President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen handed Professor Langer the prize of EUR 800,000 and ”Peak”, the prize trophy, at the Grand Award Ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.

Application-specific hoists and cranes are helping Sandvik Hard Materials to boost production efficiency at its plant in Epinouze, which produces a wide range of cemented-carbide tools and components for automotive, aerospace, paper and other industrial sectors. Konecranes recently upgraded the lifting systems at this plant, providing a total of 25 new cranes and hoists.

During autumn 2009 almost all waste and wastewater from the biggest private slaughterhouse in Norway will be treated in an integrated waste solution of a new kind that integrates biogas, composting and wastewater treatment plants. Only a small amount of risk class 1 and 2 waste must be treated elsewhere.

The finalists for the 2008 Millennium Technology Prize have been announced by the Technology Academy Finland. Those competing for the world’s largest technology prize are: Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys Professor, Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, UK “For his invention of DNA fingerprinting used in identification of criminal suspects and in paternity and immigration disputes. No other development in modern genetics has had such a profound impact worldwide on the lives of many millions of people.” Professor Robert Langer Institute Professor, MIT, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, USA “For his inventions and development of innovative biomaterials for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration that have saved and improved the lives of millions of people.” Dr. Andrew J. Viterbi President, Viterbi Group LLC, Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California, USA “For the invention of the Viterbi algorithm, the key building element in modern wireless and digital communications systems, touching lives of people everywhere.” Professor Emmanuel Desurvire Director, Physics Research Group, Thales Corporate Research & Technology, France Dr.Randy Giles Director, Optical Networks, Bell Laboratories, Alcatel-Lucent, New Jersey, USA Professor David N. Payne Director, Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, UK “For their outstanding contributions to telecommunications through the invention of the erbium-doped fibre amplifier (EDFA) which made possible the global high-capacity optical fibre network, serving as a backbone of the global information superhighway.”

“For his invention of DNA fingerprinting, used in the identification of criminal suspects and in paternity and immigration disputes, making him one of the most significant figures in modern genetics.”

“For the invention of the Viterbi algorithm, the key building element in modern wireless and digital communications systems, touching the lives of people everywhere."

“For his invention and development of innovative biomaterials for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration that have significantly improved human health.” Professor Robert Langer Institute Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Massachusetts, USA Born August 1948 in Albany, New York, USA

“For their outstanding contributions to telecommunications through the invention and development of the erbium-doped fibre amplifier (EDFA) which enabled the global high-capacity optical fibre network.”

Modern design is a key word in the newest generation of biowaste management, water purification and biofuel plants. For example, Preseco Oy has engaged an industrial design company to develop a new, sleek product line that also is more efficient and environmentally friendly than conventional facilities.

The retail environment is fast paced, competitive and fluid. Facilitating Information flow, channeling and distributing it to the right points across this highly changeable and dynamic environment is the key challenge for improving business in the retail sector. Nordic ID meets the challenge with solutions that bridge the gap between people and information.