It sounds abstract, but imagine how a rocket engine is used to plant piles in landslide or earthquake zones. This is much more effectively than all the previously known methods. The powerful thrust of these engines, which are seen to be launch satellites into space, in this case, can be harnessed to work for machines to produce precision metal parts, and presses for scrap.
This seemingly simple but revolutionary idea is actually implemented by Prof. Dr. Peter Bodurov. The project is protected by three patents, one of which issued in Germany in 2011, and won a silver medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva. Foreign experts are convinced there are many benefits from this development, but Mr. Bodurov problem is how to persuade the Bulgarian authorities. On vague grounds and obscure explanations all institutions have so far refused to finance the project, which could bring many benefits to the economy. Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, which should be directly interested in new opportunities to secure the spoils and to better construction in adverse conditions did not even pay attention to the invention.
Patent remains unnoticed by the experts approving funding for projects with money from the National Innovation Fund. The sixth contest relating to the evaluation of innovative projects was completed in the last days of 2012. Subsidies for inventions in this forum come to a total of 9.1 million lev, and candidates were 67. To assessment were selected 55 developments as eligible, but only 36 were approved. Among the rejected proposals was already the mentioned development engineer Bodurov with his Drive Module Hammer to Implant Piles. In the same position are a number of innovative projects that have shown previously their qualities.
The report of the evaluation committee was signed on December 14 by Mariana Velkova, Executive Director of the Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises, which then managed the fund for innovation. The next day contracts with approved companies were concluded. Aside from the breathtaking speed with which officials acted, the distribution of money is very much like under the infamous scheme Scientific Research Fund. Here, too, among the selected projects are those that are far away from the main goal – the latest technology. This is for example the case with the proposed integrated consulting services for the development of organizations in the public and private sector of Strategma Agency, which received 264 thousand levs. Shumen – Passenger Transport Vehicles, took more than 171 thousand levs to convert diesel buses into electricity-driven ones – something that even amateur engineers are already doing with their cars in their garages.
According to disapproved candidates a strange decision was also to subsidize the company Prolet with the maximum amount of 500 thousand levs, which will go for complex automation of manufacturing processes. Here it is not clear what the new technology was but there is also a conflict with the requirement to finance innovation of public importance. Even more interesting is that under the name Prolet there are registered five single person limited companies, which are engaged in production of packaging, leather products, trade and catering. So whichever of the Prolet s may have won the money, it is unlikely to introduce any serious innovation.
The BANKER
