The 2012 Innovation Award Laser Technology is accepting applications for a 10,000-euro European research prize. The prize is awarded biannually by the Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik and the European Laser Institute ELI in recognition of outstandingly innovative work in the field of laser technology.
The closing date for applications is January 20, 2012. The official presentation of the award will take place in the Aachen, Germany town hall on May 9, 2012, at the International Laser Technology Congress AKL´12.
The award can be conferred on an individual researcher or on an entire project group. The scientific and technological projects in question must center on the use of laser light in materials processing and the methods of producing the light, and must be of demonstrable commercial value to industry.
Applications are accepted from individuals in industry or universities, or independent research centers that have implemented an innovative idea relating to laser technology, following the project through from early-stage laboratory research to industrial application. Possible fields range from developing new laser beam sources and systems for use in laser materials processing to qualifying innovative laser manufacturing processes for use in an industrial production environment.
Three prizes will be award, with the winner receiving 10,000 euros and the title of AKL Fellow and ELI Fellow. A shortlist of candidates will be compiled by an international jury consisting of 10 members.
The innovation must have been implemented no more than three years prior to application for the award and the applicants must work for universities, R&D centers, or companies based in Europe.
Application forms can be downloaded at www.innovation-award-laser.org.
SOURCE: Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik and European Laser Institute ELI
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Conard Holton
Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.