| | Detectors, Sensing, Imaging, and Cameras | Manufacturing is the pivotal point where research transforms into leading edge technologies, processes, and, ultimately, marketable consumer products. Improvements in manufacturing - such as lowering costs, improving quality and efficiency, increasing throughput - enable the drive to smaller dimensions, finer features, and tighter tolerances. Improvements also empower companies to compete internationally. Areas of interest: 3D printing, automated alignment techniques, modified component designs, traceability and forensics, simulation and modeling tools, CAD tools, robotics, processing methods, tools and equipment. | Optical technology has become a ubiquitous part of national defense. It enables satellite surveillance systems for intelligence gathering, night vision imaging, missile guidance, and lasers used for everything from targeting and range fielding to navigation. The defense and security industries need the highest quality optical products for their purposes: laser glass for the world's most powerful lasers, lenses for rifle sights, night vision filters, as well as other optical components, systems, and sensors. Block Engineering was the first winner in 2010-11. | Detectors, sensors, and cameras have come a long way since the first introduction of CCD sensor technology in the 1990s. Today, detector, sensor, and imaging technologies are now part of our everyday life: cell-phones, Skype™, digital cameras, security and surveillance systems, entertainment applications, wireless communication devices, and more. What are you working on? Previous applicants: GE, OSRAM’s Ambient Light Sensor, Hamamatsu | | | Information and Communication | Solar energy can potentially produce the current and projected future energy consumption many times over and solid-sate lighting is clearly the next step in lighting – but cost is the main issue preventing wide- spread manufacturing and adoption. Energy sources are not the only focus – optical and photonic systems are vital for safe and efficient operations. New optical systems are increasingly being used in the oil and gas industry to monitor wells, pipelines, and more. Past winners: Visualant, ChromaID; LEOSPHERE, R-MAN510 Aerosol Lidar, National Semiconductor, SolarMagic Power Optimizer. | Fiber lasers, a big player in new technologies related to manufacturing and fabrication, have been able to bounce back with some help from military, biomedical, and energy-related industries. In this category, we wish to highlight new laser sources, advanced technologies, components and laser system designs that can benefit the development, commercialization, and fielding of new laser platforms. Previous applicants: IPG Photonics, Amplitude Systemes, Raydiance, LIMO, nLIGHT, High Q Laser Innovation | The way people communicate, from mobile phone technologies to information storage, continues to evolve. These technologies have advanced our social lives, but more importantly, they have advanced improvements in healthcare, education, and industry. Photonics is the enabling technology for global communication. Potential areas of interest: optical components, tunable lasers, deployment software, connection technologies, optical coding, testing and metrology, and technologies for power consumption reduction. Previous applicants: Pixel Qi, PHOTONIS, Ansel Corp | | Life Sciences and Biophotonics | Optics and Optical Components | In recent years, there have been great advancements in this field: new materials, processing technologies, systems, and more. Potential areas of interest: solid-state lighting (LEDs, OLEDs), nanowire sources, laser systems, lamps, light source systems or kits, solar systems, and how an improved light source can improve a final product. Previous winners: SET, Hamamatsu, Energetiq Technology | Biophotonics is the study of the interaction of biology and light – or photons. Biophotonics, a more recent addition to the field of photonics, focuses on the sciences around lasers, light and imaging. Biophotonics has a variety of applications in life sciences, medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. Medical imaging is just one example of the importance of biophotonics (and life science research) in our lives—and with increased R&D funding, the growth potential is infinite. Winners include JenLab and Lightlab Imaging | Optics is the foundation of our industry. Looking forward, we can see how optics and photonics research is poised to truly revolutionize the way we live. Optical solutions are being developed in many applications including medicine, communications, entertainment, sensing, and homeland security. Potential areas of interest: illumination engineering, optomechanics, optical design, metrology, image and signal processing, and remote sensing. Previous winners: Tessera, Swamp Optics, Edmund Optics | | Test, Measurement, Metrology | | The interdisciplinary research and collaboration among physicians, scientists, engineers, and manufacturers is helping to strengthen the field of scientific laser applications. During the last decade there have been significant developments in laser technology for medicine, space optics, communication, remote sensing, metrology and testing, defense, sensing, and more. Previous applicants include Coherent, Daylight Solutions. 2010 winner: EKSPLA | Test, measurement, and metrology technologies are needed for two important reasons: they are needed to (1) develop unique and important innovations, and (2) create innovations that are easy and cost effective to replicate. Optical analytics have played the underlying role in many areas: information and communication, manufacturing and quality, healthcare and life sciences, defense and security, energy, and environmental safety. Previous winners: Agilent Technologies, Lehighton Electronics, LUMEN DYNAMICS | |
The Prism Awards were developed to recognize innovative scientific products, processes, software, devices, materials, systems, instruments, and technologies that are newly available on the open market. Each category is meant to isolate a specific contribution in photonics, in a technology area or sector of the industry. Nine categories will have 3 finalists selected—and ultimately, 1 winner.
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Prism categories have been added and removed over time to reflect trends in the industry and the needs of the scientific community. A category that does not obtain at least 3 applications will be eliminated. Information & Communication and Defense & Security were added in 2010. Green Photonics/Sustainable Energy category was changed to Energy in 2013.
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