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19.10.2007 12:12

Announcement Innovation Award Laser Technology 2008

Dipl.-Phys. Axel Bauer Marketing und Kommunikation
Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik ILT

The success of laser technology can be mainly attributed to qualified and committed engineers and natural scientists who on the one hand have systematically pushed ahead applied research and development and on the other hand have turned innovative ideas in marketable products and processes. In this framework the associations Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik e.V. and the European Laser Institute ELI have initiated the Innovation Award Laser Technology http://www.innovation-award-laser.org. This European research prize will be awarded at 2-yearly intervals. The award can be conferred on an individual researcher or on an entire project group, whose exceptional skills and dedicated work have led to an outstanding innovation in the field of laser technology. The prizewinner will receive the sum of 10,000 Euro in recognition of his work. The scientific and technological projects in question must center on the use of laser light in materials processing and the methods of producing such light, and must furthermore be of demonstrable commercial value to industry. The full set of application documents must be received by February 1, 2008 at the latest. Any and all legal recourse is explicitly barred. The official presentation of the award will take place at the International Laser Technology Congress AKL08 http://www.lasercongress.org organized by the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT on May 8, 2008 in Aachen.

Technological fields of interest
It takes a great deal of experience and specialized knowledge, not to mention considerable dedication on the part of the authors, to successfully carry a technical development project through from the basic research stage to industrial or commercial maturity. The aim of the Innovation Award Laser Technology is to focus a spotlight on the interface between applied scientific research and industrial practice.

The range of possible fields extends from the development of new laser beam sources and systems for use in laser materials processing to the qualification of innovative laser manufacturing processes for use in an industrial production environment. In keeping with the original purpose of the award, applications are especially invited from individuals working in European industry or at European universities or independent research centers who have successfully conceived and implemented an innovative idea relating to laser technology, following the project through from early stage laboratory research to ultimate industrial application.

Prize money and fellowship title
The prizewinner will receive the sum of 10,000 euros in recognition of his work, and be furthermore awarded the title of "AKL Fellow" and "ELI Fellow". The official presentation of the award will take place at the International Laser Technology Congress AKL08 http://www.lasercongress.org on May 8, 2008 in Aachen.

Jury
A shortlist of the best candidates will be compiled by an international jury consisting of members that are recruited from industry and the research community:
- Prof. Dr. Friedrich Behr (ThyssenKrupp Steel AG, Dortmund, Germany)
- Dipl.-Ing. Ulrich Berners (LBBZ Laser Bearbeitungs- und Beratungszentrum GmbH, Geilenkirchen, Germany)
- Abdelkrim Chehaibou (Institut de Soudure, Paris, France)
- Dr. rer. nat. Christoph Hertzler (TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH, Ditzingen, Germany)
- Dr. Paul Hilton (TWI, Cambridge, UK)
- Dipl.-Ing. Volker Krause (Laserline Gesellschaft für Entwicklung und Vertrieb von Diodenlasern GmbH, Mülheim-Kärlich, Germany)
- Prof. Dr. Veli Kujanpää (Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland)
- Prof. José Luis Ocana (Centro Láser U.P.M., Madrid, Spain)
- Prof. Dr. Reinhart Poprawe M.A. (Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik ILT, Aachen, Germany)
- Dr. Francois De Schutter (Lasercentrum Vlaanderen, Mol, Belgium)

Assessment criteria
The jury's decision is based principally on the following criteria:
o Proven commercial benefit
o Innovative quality of the resulting laser beam source, laser manufacturing process or laser system
o Scientific / technological quality of the underlying research
o Creative approach to technology demonstrated by the designated individual or project group
o Importance of the contribution of the applicant's work to the overall innovative process

Submission of application documents
The full set of application documents must be sent by e-mail to the following address:
award@innovation-award-laser.org

Queries concerning applications should be addressed to:
Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik: Dipl.-Phys. Axel Bauer, General Secretary AKL e.V.
European Laser Institute: Dr. Stefan Kaierle, President ELI

Postal address:
Innovation Award Laser Technology 2008
c/o Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik e.V. / European Laser Institute
Steinbachstrasse 15
52074 Aachen, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)241 / 8906-122
Fax: +49 (0)241 / 8906-112

Closing date for applications:
The full set of application documents must be received by February 1, 2008 at the latest. Any and all legal recourse is explicitly barred.

Information and Application forms

http://www.innovation-award-laser.org

Awarding Institutions

Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik AKL e.V.

Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik AKL e.V. is a registered non-profit association formed in 1990 by a group of companies and private individuals aiming to pool their experience and conduct joint public-relations activities in order to spread the use of laser technology in industry and promote the sharing of scientific ideas.

The "Innovation Award Laser Technology" aims to reward excellent achievements in applied research and outstanding innovation in the field of laser technology and to shine a spotlight on their authors. In 2007, around 80 laser experts and enthusiasts were signed up as active members of the AKL network.

The association's activities include disseminating information on innovations in laser technology, organizing conferences and seminars, compiling educational material dealing with laser technology, stimulating the interest of future young scientists, and providing advice to industry and research scientists on questions
relating to laser technology.

More information: http://www.akl-ev.de

European Laser Institute ELI e.V.

Optical technology is taking an increasing hold on all domains of industry and science. Europe already possesses a strong position in this field by virtue of its numerous experts and excellent research and development facilities. Nevertheless, it has been realized that there is an urgent need to link the existing sources of know-how and expertise, and to enhance the performance of joint research activities.

Consequently, the European Laser Institute (ELI) has created an efficient platform bringing together the necessary competence and knowledge on optical technologies. By promoting technology transfer within Europe, ELI aims to enhance the international lead of European industry and research in the field of laser technology and photonics. By working in close collaboration with existing national and international organizations, the ELI network of industrial and academic research institutions helps to influence R&D policy on a national and European level.

More information: http://www.europeanlaserinstitute.org

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Weitere Informationen:

http://www.innovation-award-laser.org

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Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Elektrotechnik, Energie, Maschinenbau, Verkehr / Transport, Werkstoffwissenschaften, Wirtschaft
überregional
Forschungs- / Wissenstransfer, Personalia
Englisch

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