2016 Prism Award Winners Announced

http://www.novuslight.com/2016-prism-award-winners-announced_N5303.html

The Prism Awards, held each year at Photonics West, are a celebration of the best in the light technologies industries. Chosen from over 130 applications, 3 semi-finalists were chosen in nine categories. Last night nine new products received the prestigious awards.

In this truly global industry, the winning products come from companies located in five countries. The products truly exemplify the range of applications covered by the many light technologies that make up the photonics industry, from a biomedical laser to a cinema-quality laser projector to a 3D metrology module used in fitness monitors, and more.

And the winners are:

• Biomedical instrumentation

Biodesy (US). The Biodesy Delta uses an ultrafast mode-locked Ti:S laser to enable real-time protein analysis with greater sensitivity, lower cost, and high throughput. The optical system is effective in identifying first-in-class medicines against any protein target and enabling drug discovery against protein targets thought to be intractable.

• Detectors and sensors

Spectral Engines (Finland). The Wireless IR Analyzer is a miniaturized, infrared spectrometer that can cover IR ranges above 1.7 um with no loss in performance. This pocket-size device offers fast and stabile operation, integrated data analysis algorithms, and a Bluetooth connection.

• Displays and lighting

Dolby, Christie, and Necsel (US). In the Dolby Vision Cinema Laser Projector, three companies have created a cinema experience with high contrast, high brightness, a wide color gamut, and 3D performance.

• Imaging and cameras

First Light Imaging (France).The C-RED One SWIR camera improves noninvasive detection and diagnostics for diseases and research, and will find applications  in astronomical, biomedical, industry, and defense imagery.

• Industrial lasers

LightFab (Germany). The LightFab 3D enables true 3D structures in pure glasses without design limitations, making possible the mass production of micro 3D glass for fields such as as optics, precision mechanics, electronics, chemistry, and medicine.

• Materials and coatings

Nanoco (UK). Non-toxic, cadmium-free quantum dots enable a broad range of new applications in display and lighting, from high-end televisions and horticulture lighting to bio-imaging and solar.

• Optics and optical components

Boulder Nonlinear Systems (US). Large-aperture, low- size, weight, and power wide-angle beam steering enable electro-optics technologies for defense, aerospace, energy, automotive, and telecommunications, in applications from small satellites to agile long-range laser systems.

• Other metrology instrumentation

4D Technology (US). The FlexCam is a compact, vibration-insensitive, high-resolution 3D metrology module that meets the need for fast, scalable, cost-effective defect and roughness metrology for flexible electronics, including wearable health/fitness monitors, organic LED displays, thin-film solar devices, and low-cost mobile devices.

• Scientific lasers

Lytid (France). TeraCascade is a compact, user-friendly, easily transportable, high-frequency terahertz laser source that transforms state-of-the-art quantum cascade laser technology into a tool that works with nearly every terahertz detector on the market.

SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs said, "This year's winning products ingeniously deploy key photonics technologies such as quantum cascade and terahertz lasers, infrared sensing, and 3D printing, placing powerful new capabilities in the hands of users.". "They address pressing issues such as the world's need for sustainable energy and light, and clinicians' needs for quickly identifying the best drugs to target challenging diseases in time to saves lives and staunch outbreaks before they become epidemics. Products such as these provide highly effective means of demonstrating the vast potential of photonics technologies to serve humankind as well as to help grow world economies."

Celebrating the legacy of Teddi Laurin

Laurin Publishing President and CEO Thomas Laurin celebrated Teddi Laurin’s life and legacy in the photonics industry. "As we contemplate Teddi's impact on our business and on the photonics industry, we are reminded that she understood the need to recognize innovation and to applaud the companies that achieved it."

For a complete list of semi-finalists, read “Photonics West  2016 Prism Awards

- See more at: http://www.novuslight.com/2016-prism-award-winners-announced_N5303.html#sthash.SCvDBQc4.dpuf

Fraunhofer IPM wins two awards at Photonics West

My Note: This is old news but I just saw it.

Press Release Feb 06, 2014 

http://www.ipm.fraunhofer.de/en/press_publications/press_release/prism-award-2014-fraunhoferipm.html

In California, at the world’s most important photonics fair, Photonics West, the winners of the renowned Prism Awards were announced on February 6, 2014. Fraunhofer IPM was one of the winners, with two optical systems developed in collaboration with Hübner GmbH & Co. KG, of Kassel, Germany.

 

 

 

The T-Cognition terahertz spectrometer was recognized in the category of »Defense and Security”, and the C-Wave optical parametric oscillator convinced the jury in the »Scientific Lasers« category. Both systems were developed jointly by Fraunhofer IPM and Hübner GmbH & Co. KG. The Prism Awards are one of the most important international scientific prizes for modern photonics applications.

 »This dual success is an especially impressive example of productive collaboration between research and industry,« says Karsten Buse, head of Fraunhofer IPM, »The T-Cognition system shows that, while still quite young, terahertz technology is now ripe for industrial application. And with the C-Wave tunable laser light source, the partners succeeded in creating a true world first in field of laser technology!«

T-Cognition: Terahertz spectrometer for monitoring postal mail

The T-Cognition terahertz spectrometer is an automated system for spotting hidden drugs and explosives in letters and small packages. Within a few seconds, T-Cognition identifies concealed substances using their characteristic spectroscopic fingerprint. This security check is done without the need to open the letters or parcels, thus respecting the privacy of mail. In this way, T-Cognition enhances security in mailrooms, penal institutions, customs stations or exposed facilities, such as embassies.

C-Wave: Continuous laser light throughout the visible spectral range

Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are ideal light sources for spectroscopy. C-Wave is the first available OPO that emits continuous laser light over the entire visible spectral range. This has many practical advantages: For one thing, it does away with the need to change laser media or components. In contrast to dye lasers, the solid-state C-Wave requires no exchange of toxic dyes. The one-year cooperation between the Laboratory of Optical Systems at Freiburg University, Fraunhofer IPM and Hübner GmbH & Co. KG has led to an award-winning commercial product.

Background – Prism Awards

The Prism Awards are one of the most important international scientific prizes for modern photonics applications. Since 2008, they have been awarded by SPIE, an international society for optics and photonics. The winners were announced on February 6 at the world’s most important photonics trade show, Photonics West, in California. 

Background – Hübner GmbH & Co. KG

Whenever you ride in a bus, train or car, you encounter Hübner products — worldwide. As a system provider, HÜBNER makes products for the transportation industry, medical technology and quality-of-life sector. Their product range includes design and production of folding bellows, vehicle articulation and gangway systems, window systems, PUR molded foam components, and products made of rubber and injection molded plastic. At their headquarters in Kassel and 11 other international sites, more than 1,900 employees bring custom solutions to life — from development, to prototype to marketable product. With its research into terahertz and laser technologies, HÜBNER has advanced into completely new markets.

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2014 Prism Awards Recognize Photonics Innovation

http://photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=55816

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 6, 2014 — From new tools that improve the accuracy of medical devices to a stand-alone terahertz spectrometer that identifies hazardous substances in mail, modernization and advancement were in the spotlight this week at the 2014 Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation. Nine companies from five countries were recognized at the awards ceremony.

Sponsored by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and Photonics Media, the annual awards recognize photonic products that break with conventional ideas, solve problems and improve life through the application of light-based technologies. Winners are chosen by a panel of expert judges from the photonics industry.“Our Prism Awards recognize the outstanding products that have emerged from ideas, concepts and the distillation of networking at previous conferences … More than 21,000 author-researchers contributed to the work presented [this year]. That represents an impressive amount of people hours — very bright people hours,” said Eugene Arthurs, CEO of SPIE. “Smart, persistent believers ensured that these ideas survived the valleys of desolation and have come to market.”

It is when products result that this enormous intellectual effort makes a real impact, he added. And while photonics technology has an important role in improving quality of life, its applications have a vital economic impact as well.

The 2014 winners are:

• Advanced Manufacturing: Nanoscribe GmbH (Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany), for the Photonic Professional GT (PPGT); based on TPP, the most accurate and fastest 3-D laser lithography system commercially available. Presenter was Homer Antoniadis, Global Technology Director, DuPont.


• Defense and Security: Hübner GmbH & Co. KG (Ehrenkirchen, Germany), for KG: T-COGNITION, a stand-alone terahertz spectrometer that automatically detects and identifies hazardous substances in mail. Presenter was Jim Oschmann, Ball Aerospace, Vice President and General Manager, Civil Space and Technology, Ball Aerospace.


• Detectors, Sensing, Imaging, and Cameras: Tornado Spectral Systems (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), for OCTANE-860, a small, inexpensive and robust spectrometer on a silicon chip designed for full-featured OCT imaging. Presenter was Brian Lula, President and CEO of PI Physik Instrumente LP.


• Industrial Lasers: V-Gen Ltd. (Tel Aviv, Israel), for the VPFL-ISP-1-40-HE-50000, the ytterbium fiber laser with the shortest pulse width, highest peak power, and highest pulse energy. Presenter was Reinhart Poprawe, Director, Fraunhofer Institut für Lasertechnik.


• Life Science and Biophotonics: AccuVein Inc. (Huntington, N.Y., USA), for the AV400 Vein Viewing System, a handheld, augmented-reality laser camera that detects and projects a vein map on a patient’s skin. Presenter was Babak Parviz, Google Glass Project Lead, Google X and University of Washington.


• Optics and Optical Components: Compass Electro-Optical Systems (Milpitas, Calif., USA): r10004 Router, the first design to allow for a full mesh architecture and an ASIC-to-ASIC link using an optical interconnect. Presenter was Mario Paniccia, General Manager, Silicon Photonics Operation, Intel.


• Other Light Sources: Necsel (Milpitas, Calif., USA): Frequency Converted Green Laser Array, offering the first RGB laser solution in 3-D digital cinema projection. Presenter was Barbara Paldus, CEO, Finesse Solutions.


• Scientific Lasers: Hübner GmbH & Co. KG (Ehrenkirchen, Germany): C-WAVE, the first coherent continuous-wave source able to be tuned across the visible range without change of materials. Presenter was Gisele Maxwell, CEO, Shasta Crystals.


• Test, Measurement, Metrology: Si-Ware Systems (Cairo, Egypt): MEMS FT-IR Spectrometer, the first alignment-free, calibration-free and shock-resistant FT-IR module on a chip scale. Presenter was Paul Johnson, Executive Director of Global Optics, Photop Technologies.

For more information, visit: www.photonicsprismaward.com

2011 Prism Award Finalists Are Announced

http://www.photonicsonline.com/article.mvc/2011-Prism-Award-Finalists-Are-Announced-0001
Industry leaders will honor developers of innovative new products at Photonics West
Finalists have been named in nine categories for the 2011 Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation, sponsored by SPIE and Photonics Media.
Winners will be announced by industry leaders at a gala ceremony on 25 January during SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco. Presenters for the 2011 awards are being confirmed. Past awards have been presented by industry leaders such as Michael Mertin, CEO of JENOPTIK; Robert Edmund, CEO and Chairman of Edmund Optics; Marita Paasch, VP of SCHOTT Advanced Optics; and Milton Chang, Managing Director of the high-tech venture fund Incubic.
The Prism Awards - termed the "Photonics Oscar" by the industry - recognizes photonic products that break with conventional ideas, solve problems, and improve life through the generation and harnessing of light. Finalists and winners are chosen by an independent panel of industry experts.
"The quality and competition among this year's entries was even keener than in past years. More companies submitted applications than ever before. The strength of applications from core companies in our industry along with the impressive innovations bubbling up from smaller companies really demonstrate the vitality of the photonics industry," said SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs.
"We are very pleased to have this means of bringing visibility and recognition to industry colleagues," Arthurs added. "SPIE and Photonics Media extend our thanks to all who took the time to apply, and also to the judges, who are themselves outstanding contributors to photonics research and technology development. The Prism Awards have truly become a celebration of and for our entire industry."
Seventeen of the finalists will exhibit at the Photonics West exhibition at the Moscone Center in San Francisco 25-27 January. Booth numbers of finalists and their product entries are noted in the alphabetical listing below.
For more information on the awards program, visit www.photonicsprismaward.com.
Defense and Security

• Headwall Photonics Inc.: Hyperspec RECON Handheld Sensor (Booth 903)
• Physical Optics Corporation: Mobile ELISA-based Pathogen Detection
• Zomega Terahertz Corporation: micro-Z (Booth 2511)

Detectors, Sensing, Imaging, and Cameras

• CyberOptics Semiconductor: WaferSense Airborne Particle Sensor
• MERMEC: T-Sight 5000
• Vieworks Co., Ltd.: VN Series Camera Link Camera

Green Photonics and Sustainable Energy

• Cogenra Solar: Solar Cogeneration Solution
• nanoplus: DFB laser at 3µm (Booth 2523)
• Opalux Inc.: P-ink Displays

Industrial Lasers

• Amplitude Systemes: Satsuma HE (Booth 1431)
• Spectra-Physics: Mosaic 532-11 Laser (Booth 1301)
• Xiton Photonics Gmbh: IMPRESS 213 (Booth 1500)

Life Sciences and Biophotonics

• Coherent: OBIS (Booth 1015)
• 89 North: Heliophor (Booth 407)
• Rebellion Photonics, Inc.: The ARROW Hyperspectral Camera

Optics and Optical Components

• Haas Laser Technologies, Inc.: Thermal Lensing Compensation Objective (Booth 5502)
• Optotune AG: Laser Speckle Reducer (Booth 5501)
• PixelOptics Inc.: emPower!

Other Light Sources

• Intematix: ChromaLit (Booth 506)
• OEwaves: Ultra-Narrow Linewidth Laser (Booth 4632)
• Philips Lumileds: Luxeon A

Scientific Lasers

• KMLabs: Wyvern-X
• Newport Corporation Spectra-Physics: InSight DeepSee (Booth 1301)
• Pd-LD Inc.: LabSource- VBG stabilized dual-laser source (Booth 828)

Test, Measurement, Metrology

• KLA-Tencor: FabVision Solar (Booth 2100)
• nanoplus: DFB laser at 3µm (Booth 2523)
• WITec GmbH: True Surface Microsopy
• Zygo Corporation: DynaFiz (Booth 1230)

About SPIE
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 180,000 constituents from 168 countries, the Society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. SPIE provided over $2.3M in support of education and outreach programs in 2010.