Sikorsky to Receive CT Medal of Technology, Connecticut Science Center’s Fleury Honored, 36 New Members Elected to Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering
/Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, is the 2020 recipient of the Connecticut Medal of Technology in recognition of X2 Technology, a generational leap in rotary wing innovation that enables helicopters to complete tasks traditional helicopters can’t today. X2 Technology consists of an integrated package of technologies that make X2 aircraft faster, more agile and more maneuverable than other helicopters.
The award will be recognized at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) – to be held virtually - on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Additionally, 36 newly elected members of the Academy will be recognized at the event.
Matt Fleury, president and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Science Center and chair of the Board of Regents for Higher Education will also be recognized as a newly elected Honorary Member of the Academy. The CASE Governing Council elected Fleury in recognition of his activities that foster science and engineering education of the highest quality and promote interest in science and engineering on the part of the public, especially young people.
Connecticut’s most talented young scientists and engineers will be honored as well. Students from this year’s Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair, Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, and Connecticut Invention Convention received CASE awards and will be recognized as part of the meeting.
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by CASE Members Nick Donofrio, IBM Fellow Emeritus and Executive Vice President, Innovation and Technology and Dave Ferrucci, Founder, CEO and Chief Scientist, Elemental Cognition and Director of Artificial Intelligence, Bridgewater Associates.
Sikorsky has been a leader in aviation and innovation ever since Igor Sikorsky founded Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation in 1923. Sikorsky helicopters have transported every U.S. president since 1957 and have also fulfilled aviation needs across all branches of the military. In 2004, engineers started work on X2 Technology to overcome speed and stability limitations of prior helicopters. These limits drove Sikorsky engineers to completely rethink the typical design of a helicopter. X2 Technology consist of: counter-rotating rigid rotor blades, flyby- wire flight controls, hub drag reduction, active vibration control, and an integrated auxiliary propulsion system.
In 2010, Sikorsky’s X2 Technology Demonstrator reached 250 knots, before its final flight the program was honored with a prestigious Collier Award, which recognizes the greatest achievements in aeronautics or astronautics in America. Sikorsky donated the aircraft to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
The Company’s work then shifted to address the U.S. Army’s future vertical lift needs. The S-97 RAIDER is the second X2-based helicopter. Sikorsky’s newest design, RAIDER X is based on this design and will contend for the Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. Sikorsky, in partnership with Boeing, developed the SB>1 DEFIANT, a larger design that is now in flight test and informing the Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program. The evolution of X2 Technology through each phase of design and flight test have proven the scalability of this game changing technology.
“Sikorsky engineers represent the most innovative minds in our industry,” said Dan Schultz, Sikorsky President. “Their passion for excellence continues to expand the boundaries of helicopter speed and maneuverability. I am extremely proud that our team’s work has paved the way to meet the needs of the Army’s Future Vertical Lift program.”
Sikorsky’s engineering and manufacturing expertise is a significant economic force in the state, with currently 7,900 CT-based employees. X2 Technology will directly benefit the state’s economy.
“Connecticut is proud to award the 2020 Connecticut Medal of Technology to Sikorsky,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “Connecticut is home to the nation’s most innovative and talented aerospace and defense manufacturers and suppliers— and companies like Sikorsky keep us competitive by continuously providing exciting new opportunities for top engineering and science graduates from our state’s colleges and universities. Sikorsky is to be congratulated for their ongoing innovations and commitment to the state of Connecticut and our workforce.”
The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering was chartered by the General Assembly in 1976 to provide expert guidance on science and technology to the people and to the state of Connecticut, and to promote the application of science and technology to human welfare and economic well-being.
The Connecticut Medal of Technology is awarded to individuals, teams, and companies/non-profits or divisions of companies/non-profits for their outstanding contributions to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of Connecticut and the nation through the promotion of technology, technological innovation, or the development of the technological workforce.
By highlighting the importance of technological innovation, the Medal also seeks to inspire future generations to prepare for and pursue technical careers to keep Connecticut and the nation at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership. Modeled after the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, this award is bestowed by the state of Connecticut, with the assistance of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, in alternate years with the Connecticut Medal of Science. (Visit http://www.ctcase.org/medals.html to see a list of past awardees.)
Matt Fleury has served as president and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Science Center since 2009, after serving as the center’s executive vice president and chief operating officer during the Center’s development. He helped to launch the science center in his prior capacity with the Capital Region Development Authority (then CCEDA).
Previously, he served in management positions in communications and government affairs in the telecommunications industry after a career in broadcast journalism. He also recently served as member of the board and executive committee of the Association of Science & Technology Centers and he serves as a member of the board of directors of the MetroHartford Alliance.
Student winners to be honored are:
The 2020 H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence
Patricia Joseph, Engineering and Science University Magnet School, West Haven; 2020 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair – 1st Place, Life Sciences-Senior Division; Project: Comparative Analysis of the Mitigation and Emissions Rates of Volatile-Organic Compounds in Various Ornamental Plants Using a Monitored Environment
Abigail Slanski, Amity Regional High School, Woodbridge; 2020 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair – 1st Place, Physical Sciences-Senior Division; Project: Using an Automated Coating System to Optimize Nitric Oxide Release Patterns of Antibacterial Catheters
2020 H. Joseph Gerber Award of Excellence
Johnathan Bell and Devesh Kakar, Academy of Aerospace and Engineering, East Hartford; 2020 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair – Urban School Challenge High School Winner; Project: Effective Augmentation of Urban Wind Energy Harvesters to Increase Electric Power Generation and Environmental Protections
Snigtha Mohanraj, Engineering and Science University Magnet School, West Haven; 2020 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair - Middle School Winner, Urban School Challenge; Project: Effectiveness of the Organic Polymers for Removing Microplastic in an Aqueous Solution
2020 Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
1ST Place: Rachel Brooks, Christian Heritage School, Trumbull; Project: Increased Prevalence of Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, and Immunologic Conditions in Hospitalized Patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Case-Control Study
2ND Place: Sam Florin, Greenwich High School, Greenwich; Project: Decoding Algorithms for Correction of X-Z and Spatially Correlated Errors in Topological Quantum Computing
3RD Place: Kenneth Choi, Ridgefield High School, Ridgefield; Project: Towards Privacy-Preserving Intelligence: Differential Privacy in Machine Learning
4TH Place: Ashley Granquist, William H. Hall High School, West Hartford; Project: Multiwavelength Identification of Black Hole Candidates in M13
5TH Place: Shun Sakai, Greenwich High School, Greenwich; Project: Portable, Simple Filtration of V. cholerae Infected Water using Electrified, Silver-SWCNT Nanostructures within a Sari-Cloth Textile
2020 Connecticut Invention Convention CASE Awardees
Alexander Baneat, Shelton Intermediate School
Sahana Bettegowda, Greens Farm Academy
James Crocker, East Granby Middle School
Ana-Lois Davis, East Windsor Middle School
Brianna Deierlein, Newtown Middle School
Emily Ely, Dual Language & Arts Magnet Middle School
Simon Karpinski, Lyme Old Lyme Middle School
Puma Marx, Newtown Middle School
Genesis Ortiz Jr., Interdistrict Discovery Magnet School
Ariana Pourkavoos, Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Ronak Ramesh, CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering
Andy Sicuranza, Lyme Old Lyme Middle School
Jasper Southam, Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Anthony Szarpa, West Rocks Middle School
Tasneem Zoghol, Madina Academy
