APS is calling for nominations for its new
Industrial Applications of Physics Prize. The Prize was approved by Council last spring, and will be awarded for the first time at the 2009 March Meeting. The selection process for the first Prize will take place in the spring and summer of 2008.
According to the description of the Prize, it is “awarded to an individual, or individuals, for applications of physics in an industrial setting. The purpose of the prize is to recognize excellence in the industrial application of physics, and thereby to publicize the value of physics in industry, to encourage physics research in industry, and to enhance students’ awareness of and interest in the role of physics in commercial product development.”
John Jaros, 2007 Chair of the APS Prizes and Awards Committee, said “This Prize is designed to attract not only physicists in larger companies, but also the increasing number of industrial physicists working in small companies and start-ups. The emphasis will be on innovation and cutting edge technology, and it is not necessary for the work recognized by the Prize to have already achieved commercial success.”
In order to encourage a broad spectrum of nominations, the selection process has been divided into two parts. Preliminary nominations are due by April 1, for which the nominator need only submit, via a web-form, a single document of no more than 1000 words, with an optional supporting letter of up to 500 words from a second individual. Self-nominations are encouraged.
The selection committee will review the preliminary nominations, and choose a small number of finalists, who will be invited to submit more elaborate nominations by July 1. From among these finalists, the committee will recommend the recipient to the APS Executive Board.
The Prize consists of a certificate and a $10,000 stipend. It will be given biennially, alternating with a pre-existing prize of the same name given by the American Institute of Physics. The AIP prize has traditionally gone to physicists in larger companies, and emphasizes commercial impact. Both the APS Prize and the AIP Prize are supported by grants from General Motors.