This year's winner of Sweden's largest inventor prize, the "SKAPA Prize"* of SEK 500,000, is Roger Danielsson from Dalarna County for his invention "GREEN BUFFERS" - which provides improved crash safety for trains. The problem with today's equipment is that not all energy can be handled in a collision as the entire time course is very short, which can lead to serious derailments.
Congratulations Roger for the SKAPA Prize 2021!
The SKAPA jury's motivation is as follows:
"Now and in the future, we depend on environmentally friendly transportation. Rail will continue to play a major role in our infrastructure. Trains are heavy and sometimes fast. Freight and passenger transportation by train can sometimes lead to accidents that pose safety risks to individuals and the surrounding environment. When accidents happen, we know that they can have devastating consequences, including injuries, deaths and major material damage. GREEN BUFFERS contribute to increased safety in the event of a train crash. By synchronizing and optimizing the distribution of energy absorption throughout the train, a more dispersed and controlled deformation is achieved, allowing the train to stay on the track. The result is increased passenger safety and less damage to property and the environment."
Patent ready and partnerships developing
Roger has been working on this innovation for a few years and was recently granted a Swedish patent and also received a positive reception on the international PCT application. Currently Roger and his team are working with various companies contributing to the development of the product configurator for GREEN BUFFERS and to the development of its digital production processes. To accelerate business development, a collaboration has been initiated with Ignite Sweden, connecting start-ups with international corporations and public sector/operators.
- A great way for me and the company RXD to make new contacts and create business by using these existing communication channels, says Roger.
Business development through Dalarna Science Park
The company RXD and the innovation GREEN BUFFERS, is now undergoing a business program within Dalarna Science Park to accelerate the company forward.
An important part is the sustainability issues and there the results of the first climate calculations will be presented, ie what the innovation contributes to the environment.
Roger is also a great believer in the international market for GREEN BUFFERS, and is ready as soon as the digital processes are in place.
*The SKAPA Prize is Sweden's largest innovation prize, with the aim of supporting inventors to develop their ideas. SKAPA is a foundation established in memory of Alfred Nobel in 1985 and awarded its first prize in 1986. The foundation is supported by Stockholmsmässan and the Swedish Inventors' Association, with the backing of Almi Företagspartner AB, VINNOVA, the Agne Johansson Foundation and the Swedish Patent and Registration Office.
You can see Roger's pitch here.
