Second SRF Prize: Search for the Fourth Warrior
Register/Submit Deadline: Saturday, Feb 1, 20141:06 AMEDT
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Who will be the Fourth Warrior?
One Million Yen Grand Prizes for New Ideas to Strengthen Vulnerable Cities
Structural Quality Assurance, Inc. (SQA) creates twenty-first century solutions to enhance the safety and comfort of urban environments. We are offering major cash prizes for the winners of our second competition for innovative city-planning visions to strengthen vulnerable cities. The winning technology will become the fourth member of SQA’s powerful team of city-saving “warriors.”
The Problems:
Modern cities contain vast amounts of concrete that are in constant danger of collapse due to aging and earthquakes. Heat retention in concrete is also a major problem in today’s environment-conscious world because of increased energy demand for air conditioning. Twentieth-century solutions to these problems are expensive and resource intensive.
The Solutions:
SQA is creating twenty-first century solutions. One of those solutions is Super Reinforcement with Flexibility (SRF), a strong, flexible, tear-resistant material used to “bandage” reinforced concrete and enhance its durability. This new technology was put to the test in the massive earthquake that struck northern Japan on March 11, 2011. Buildings strengthened with SRF shook less and remained standing and usable with little exterior or interior damage. Currently SRF bandaging is made from polyester, but SQA is exploring the use of genetic engineering technology to create a thinner, sleeker fiber with enhanced strength and tear-resistance. Another revolutionary technology is GAINA, a ceramic multi-layered coating material that suppresses heat transfer. Developed by Nissin Sangyo Co., Ltd., GAINA significantly reduces electricity consumption when used in combination with SRF on urban buildings.
The Future:
We are seeking other innovative concepts and technologies like these from around the world―new ideas that can contribute to the safety and comfort of cities through twenty-first century city planning.
Shunichi Igarashi, President
Structural Quality Assurance, Inc.
ENTRY PERIOD
Friday, September 20, 2013 to Friday, January 31, 2014
Categories and Prizes
(1) General
Simple city planning ideas for enhanced urban safety and comfort
- One Grand Prize 1,000,000 yen.
- One Award for Excellence 300,000 yen
- Two Honorable Mention Prize 100,000 yen
(2) Professional
For experts and professionals in the fields of engineering, architecture, city planning, disaster prevention, seismology and information technology
Ideas based on your own technology, or on technologies that can be combined with SRF and GAINA to enhance the safety and comfort of urban environments
- One Grand Prize 1,000,000 yen.
- One Award for Excellence 300,000 yen
- Two Honorable Mention Prize 100,000 yen
Judges
Motohiko Hakuno, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo, former Director of the Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo
Toshimi Kabeyasawa, Professor at the Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo
Norihiko Dan, Architect
Tatsujiro Ishiko, Representative Director and President of Nissin Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Other architects
Results
To be announced on our website (http://www.sqa.co.jp/english/) at 13:00 JST on Saturday, March 15, 2014
*For further information, visit http://www.srfcon.com/en/
Inquiries
Address inquiries to:
SRF Prize Secretariat
[email protected] (subject line: “Second SRF Prize”)
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