SIX firms from the Huddersfield area have won backing for their smart business ideas.
They are among 69 across Yorkshire to share £3.7m under the Smart Awards for Innovation.
The firms will use the cash to develop ground-breaking new products.
The winners include Slaithwaite- based James Bailey (Engineers), which is investigating the use of laser technology to replace mechanical blades for shearing the surface of textile fabrics during the dry finishing process.
Highburton-based ECASS Technologies is developing ways to reduce the impact of noise from factories, building sites and road works using an electronically- controlled acoustic system.
Stuart Hepworth, of Holmfirth, won his Smart Award for a new system to heat tyres for racing bikes and cars using microwave energy rather than electric blankets.
Greetland-based Focus Product Developments is devising new fabrics for wound dressings which "kill off" many of the micro-organisms that can cause infection.
Controlled Speed Engineering, of Brighouse, is developing a range of mobility aids for disabled people available to order through the internet.
And Hillam Farm Machinery, based at Cleckheaton, is developing a multi-purpose muckspreader capable of spreading both solid and liquid manure at an affordable cost to farmers.
The six companies are among 26 West Yorkshire winners to receive Smart Awards.
Others include firms with products to tackle blocked sewers, print better self-adhesive labels and reduce the weight of wheelchairs.
The awards were presented by Bradford-based businesswoman Judith Donovan at a dinner in York.
The Smart Awards are backed by the Government's Small Business Service.
Neville Myers, SBS director for Yorkshire, said: "In a highly competitive global market, innovation is key to business development.
"The wealth of creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by these firms promises well for the region's economy," he went on.
For many new and developing businesses, Government innovation funding is a crucial first step towards a bigger and brighter future." said Mr Myers.
"Encouragement and cash support at an early development stage can be vital in helping firms get good ideas off the drawing board and into the marketplace," he added.
