Homeowners aren't much different than plant managers when it comes to taking care of fluid systems. They don't want to spend a lot of money replacing older, inefficient systems unless the new system will give them a big jump in efficiency: using less water, less fuel, less electricity.
If they're going to make the investment, they want a product that will save them enough money to pay back the upfront costs in five years or less. And they need to trust that they will not be replacing the product in that time.
If you've ever had an idea for such a dramatic improvement in home fluid systems, here's a chance to get some attention and $50,000 too. It's the Products For Life challenge from HeroX. Watch the 2-minute video below to get a quick overview of the challenge. Basically, they are looking for brilliant fluid systems engineers to help homeowners cut their carbon footprint and save money.
What kind of ideas is HeroX looking for? Maybe an HVAC system that uses 50 percent less energy, lasts longer than current systems on the market, and can be refurbished. Or it might be a product that tests the toxicity of water coming out of a home showerhead, is easy to use, and lasts at least 20 year. Or it could be a product to manage fuel more efficiently and lasts at least 20 years. Those are only examples, though. It's very likely that smart fluid system designers will come up with an idea that will catch the rest of the world by surprise.
Right now the Products For Life challenge is in the Concept Phase, a chance to begin developing an idea for an environmentally sustainable fluid systems product. Leading submissions in the Concept Phase will receive expert feedback from the judging panel on their idea prior to the Final Design Phase.
You don't even have to worry about how to create a stellar submission, because Hero X has that covered. On Sept. 22 you can join a webinar that will tell you just what to do. It will start at 11:30 a.m. Click here to register. In the meantime you can take a look at the guidelines online.
Then you'll have several weeks to put your submission together. The deadline for the Concept Phase is Oct. 18 at 8:59 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time. Judging will begin the next day, and we expect to see the leaderboard posted by Nov. 22. Then the final design phase begins. The $50,000 prize is to be awarded in March 2017.
We are sure that users of Swagelok don't need a refresher on what a fluid system is, but just in case: It's a product that heats, cools, pressurizes, purifies, or in some other way manages a liquid or gas using fluidic components such as valves, fittings, hoses, regulators, and pressure measurement gauges.
Do you have an idea sprouting in the back of your head? Find out how to enter the challenge today at https://herox.com/ProductsForLife