Oxfordshire businesses win innovation awards

The Institute of Physics (IOP) has recognised Witney-based ICEoxford for the development of its Kelvin High Cooling Power Cryogenic System, which will enable research in photonic quantum computing.

ICEoxford received one of five Innovation Awards from the IOP at a Parliamentary reception in London.

The Business Innovation Awards are presented to businesses that have built success on the innovative application of physics, which has a transformative effect resulting in increased turnover, profitability and jobs.

Chris Busby, Managing Director of ICEoxford, added: “It is a great honour to receive this award, which is recognition of the outstanding team at ICEoxford, who continue to produce world-class innovative products for the global cryogenic markets.”

Oxford Space Systems also won an IoP award, in recognition of the development of its AstroTube Boom, which addresses the challenges of mass, cost and stowage efficiency of deployable satellite boom systems, using a combination of advanced materials and a new, proprietary physics-based software tool.

Mike Lawton, CEO at Oxford Space Systems, said: “This represents a fantastic stamp of recognition from the IoP on the record-breaking achievements of the OSS team and what the UK space industry is capable of.”

President of the IOP Professor Dame Julia Higgins, said: “This year’s winners serve as tremendous examples of the many different ways in which physics can improve, save or protect lives and how it forms an invaluable part of the UK economy.”