On 10-11 December this year, at the Academy of Sciences of Moldova was held the work judging session of the Contest “Top of Innovations”, fifth edition, and the ceremony for awarding the prize-winners of the said contest.

The organizers of this intellectual competition are: Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM), Agency for Innovation and Technology Transfer (AITT) in partnership with the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI).

The purpose of the contest in question was to determine the most valuable innovations in various fields of research and innovation. In the contest participated institutions and organizations in the sphere of science and innovation, operating in the Republic of Moldova and in the last two years have invented, patented and/or implemented innovations and innovative technologies. The 49 innovations submitted to the contest were divided into four strategic directions.

An evaluation committee, consisting of representatives of ASM, AGEPI and AITT selected the top innovations, and the participant who was awarded the title “Innovation of the Year”. Priority was given to works with a net positive economic effect, and those with a positive impact on the national economy. Thus, three top innovations were selected for each strategic direction, namely:

• Health and Biomedicine:

First Place – Mihail MANIUC, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “N. Testemitanu”, for the Medicine for treating otitis;

Second place – Victor GHICAVII, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “N. Testemitanu”, for the Method for prophylaxis of pathological reflex occurrence in operational manipulations;

Third Place – Nicolae CHELE, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “N. Testemitanu”, for the Minimally invasive method for early two-step installation of endoosseous dental implants.

• Biotechnologies:

First Place – Agafia USATII, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology of the ASM, for Polyvalent-use yeast-produced antioxidant and polysaccharide-based biopreparations;

Second Place – Valerian CERBARI, Institute of Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection “N. Dimo” of ASM, Technologies for recovery of quality status of degraded arable layer of chernozems of the Republic of  Moldova;

Third Place – Natalia MUNTEANU, Institute of Zoology of the ASM, for Strains of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Kurstaki bacteria - bioinsecticides for controlling pest coleoptera and lepidoptera of agricultural crops and forest vegetation.

• Materials, innovative technologies and products:

First Place – Viorel GOLGAN, Institute of Applied Physics of the ASM, for the Device for electrochemical processes;

Second Place – Vasile GUTANU, State University of Moldova, for the Process for sulfide and hidrogensulfide ions capture from solutions;

Third Place – Iurie SAINSUS, Institute of Electronic Engineering and Nanotechnologies “D. Ghitu”, Stirling cycle based assemblies for thermal machine.

• Energy efficiency and use of renewable sources:

First Place – Victor COVALIOV, State University of Moldova, Combined reactor and process anaerobic fermentation of organic waste for biomethane production;

Second Place – Vladimir BERZAN, Institute of Power Engineering of the ASM, Alternative voltage-to-direct current voltage conversion unit;

Third Place – Mihai TIRSU, Institute of Energy of ASM, Electric lighting system.

Laureate of the nomination “INNOVATION OF THE YEAR” became the cm Ion HABASESCU from the State Enterprise Institute of Agricultural Machinery “MECAGRO”, for the work Set of equipment for producing solid fuel from vegetable mass.

Diplomas and trophies to prize-winners of the Contest “Top of Innovations-2014” were handed by Mrs. Svetlana Munteanu, Deputy Director General of AGEPI and Iulia Iabanji, Director General of ODIMM.

The event was attended by representatives of ASM, AITT, AGEPI, ODIMM, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, scientists from the institutions and organizations in the sphere of science and innovation, representatives of business, mass media, etc.