Ricoh Honors Outstanding High School Students with Sustainable Development Awards at Intel ISEF 2012

WEST CALDWELL, N.J., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh Americas Corporation today presented two high school students with the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award. Ricoh presented the award at the 2012 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world's largest pre-college science competition showcasing over 1,550 of the world's leading young talent and their independent scientific research projects. The winning students each received a $12,500 scholarship from Ricoh for their impressive technical innovations in "Solar Powered Compression Air Stirling Engine" and "Far-Field Wireless Power Transmission."

The two recipients of this year's Ricoh Sustainable Development Award were Cory Nicholson Owan, age 17, from Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, AZ and Austin Kingsley Russell, age 17, from Saint Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Cory and Austin were selected from over 1,550 finalists representing 68 different geographic regions and nearly 445 affiliated fairs.

Cory designed and constructed a modified Stirling engine capable of being powered solely by sunlight. His design provides a conversion efficiency greater than most photovoltaic's. Cory's novel combination of a number of technologies resulted in a simple design with few moving parts and potentially widespread application.

Austin designed and prototyped a method of transmitting power over distances without the use of wires or other infrastructure between sites. His approach promises to both eliminate the huge losses of power (up to 50%) and dramatically reduce the use of mining and manufacturing resources currently involved in power transmission.

"This award is representative of Ricoh's continued commitment to the environment, education and innovation," stated Robert F. Whitehouse, Director, Environmental and Recycle Business Management, Ricoh Americas Corporation. "This year, we are proud to present this award to two well-deserving students who have successfully demonstrated the importance and feasibility of environmentally conscious and sustainable technology in today's society."

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of Society for Science & the Public, is the world's largest pre-college science competition, and includes more than 1,550 high school students from approximately 68 countries, regions and territories. Each year, the finalists showcase their independent research as they compete for more than $3 million in awards. The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair encourages millions of students worldwide to explore their passion for innovation and develop solutions for global challenges.

Ricoh is proud to have enthusiastically supported deserving students and helped further ISEF's mission of sustainable progress through the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award. Since 2005 Ricoh has recognized 20 students and presented 15 scholarships with the help of a distinguished team of judges from academia and business.

"Each year, special award organizations recognize selected young scientists during the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. We congratulate these winners. Participating in events such as this competition requires drive and curiosity that will lead these students in the quest for answers to significant scientific questions," said Elizabeth Marincola, president of Society for Science & the Public.

2012 marks the eighth consecutive year that Ricoh Americas Corporation has been providing scholarships to students whose projects best reflect the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) values of sustainability for organizational and societal success: economic, social, and environmental.

The awards were presented on May 17, 2012 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

To learn more about Society for Science & the Public, visit www.societyforscience.org, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/society4science, or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/societyforscience.

To learn more about Ricoh's full line of products, services and solutions, please visit http://www.ricoh-usa.com.

About Ricoh

Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in more than 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2012, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,903 billion yen (approx. 23 billion USD).

The majority of the company's revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialized industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives.

Under its corporate tagline, imagine. change. Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees.

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© 2012 Ricoh Americas Corporation. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

Contact:

Linda Montefusco
Ricoh Americas Corporation
(973) 882-2172
[email protected]

Jill Searl
Brodeur Partners
(603) 559-5824
[email protected]

SOURCE Ricoh Americas Corporation