Students studying architecture, design, engineering, or a related field have the opportunity to submit their designs for a chance to win scholarship money through the 2013 International Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition.
Hosted by the ET Foundation and the Aluminum Extruders Council, the aim of the competition is to promote the understanding and use of extruded aluminum profiles, as well as to highlight innovations and recognize excellence in aluminum extrusion design.
The competition is free to enter and is open to graduate, undergraduate and high school students at universities, colleges, technical and trade schools around the world.
Submissions will be accepted through April 12, 2013. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.ETFdesign.org. Winning entries will be determined by those designs that best demonstrate the benefits of aluminum extrusions and meet the four basic criteria of creativity, practicality, product/process advantage and market/impact potential. Winners will be announced following the judging in April and will be posted on the ET Foundation website.
Scholarships totaling $8,500 will be presented to the top designs, including $3,000 for First Place, $2,000 for Second Place, $1,000 for Third Place and $2,500 for the Sapa Sustainable Design Scholarship Award.
Marking the first year the competition is sponsored by Sapa Extrusions North America, the Sapa Sustainable Design Scholarship Award will be presented to the student whose design best addresses societal and/or environmental concerns, in addition to meeting the basic criteria.
Examples would be a device that helps improve conditions for refugees or an item that facilitates daily living for the handicapped or elderly.
The competition not only encourages students to develop new and expanded uses for extruded aluminum, but also encourages instructors to incorporate the competition into their curriculum as a way to foster further adoption of aluminum extrusion concepts. Sapa is supplying the ET Foundation with sample shapes of aluminum extrusions, which instructors may request for educational purposes.
A variety of tools and resources are available on the ET Foundation website, including an educational presentation, "Designing to the Limits of Your Imagination," and the "Designing for Aluminum" webpage.
To date, more than $90,000 has been awarded to students through the competition. Scholarships are provided through the generosity of sponsors, including 2013 exclusive Platinum Sponsor Sapa Extrusions North America and Silver Sponsor Almag Aluminum Inc.