QINETIQ has bestowed awards on three of its Malvern scientists for the invention and patent of 60 cutting-edge security and defence ideas.

At a national awards ceremony, held at its Malvern site, the defence research company commended Ian Sage, Mark McNie and Mike Jenkins for their innovative skills which have seen the creation and successful commercial application of the products.

Ian Sage, a Qinetiq Fellow who has worked for the company for 15 years, is an expert in the area of liquid crystal displays, optical switches and organic electronics.

He said: “I’m surprised and delighted I suppose. First of all you have to come up with something new and prove that it’s useful for a particular purpose."

The awards were presented by Mick Laverty, chief executive of Advantage West Midlands.

He said: “I was delighted to help recognise the inventors of new ideas and those people who are successfully taking those ideas to market."

Helen Lankester, director of intellectual property, said: “Our customers and partners come to us because we deliver innovative solutions and inventions which solve their problems. This is our way of saying thank you, acknowledging the brilliant minds of our people and sharing the success of their great work.”