Open call for applications for the Innovation Award Laser Technology 2020 – closing date January 15, 2020

Target Group:
The Innovation Award addresses laser manufacturers, laser users and researchers, who have successfully conceived and implemented an innovative idea relating to laser technology, following the project through from application oriented research to ultimate industrial application. The closed 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 in their practical implementation of demonstrable commercial value to industry.

Eligible applicants:
The award can be conferred on an individual researcher or on an entire project group. Eligible are only applicants, working in industry or at universities or independent research centers established in Europe. 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.

Prize money and fellowship title:
The best 3 applicants will be awarded with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes. The prize-winner will receive furthermore the sum of 10,000 euros, and be awarded the title
of »AKL fellow« and »ELI fellow«.

Official presentation:
The official presentation of the award will take place at the International Laser
Technology Congress AKL´20 (www.lasercongress.org ) on May 6, 2020 in Aachen.

Jury and selection procedure:
A shortlist of the best candidates will be compiled by an international jury consisting of 10 members recruited from industry and the research community. The
prize-winner as well as the second and third placed are selected on the basis of the published assessment criteria. Any and all legal recourse is explicity barred.

Closing date for applications:
no later than January 15, 2020 (time of receipt)

Application documents and further information:
www.innovation-award-laser.org

Awarding Institutions:

a) 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. In 2019, around 170 laser experts and enthusiasts are 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, stimulating the interest of future young scientists, and providing advice to industry and research scientists on questions relating to laser technology.
More information: www.akl-ev.de.

b) European Laser Institute ELI e.V.
Optical technology is taking an increasing hold on all domains of industry and science. 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: www.europeanlaserinstitute.org

The prize-winner, second and third placed of the last open calls 2012 – 2018

(Speaker of the finalist group / Speaker´s company / Description of the innovation)

2018
1. Dr. Axel Luft, Laserline GmbH, Mülheim-Kärlich, Germany
“Multi Spot Modules to Improve Joining Processes due to Tailored Spot Geometries”

2. Dr. Gerald Jenke, Saueressig GmbH + Co. KG, Vreden, Germany
“Multi Parallel Ultrafast Laser Ablation for Large Scale Ultraprecision Manufacturing”

3. M.Sc. Eng. Alejandro Bárcena, Talens Systems S.L. Etxe-Tar Group, Elgoibar, Spain: “ RAIO DSS: A High Flexibility Dynamic Beam Control System for Laser Heat Treatment and Related High Power Laser Applications “

2016
1. Dr. Armand Pruijmboom, Philips GmbH Photonics Aachen, Aachen, Germany
„VCSEL arrays: A novel high-power laser technology for „digital thermal processing“

2. Dr. Jan-Philipp Weberpals, AUDI AG, Neckarsulm, Germany
„Laser Beam Remote Welding of Aluminium for Automotive Lightweight Design“

3. Dr. Ralph Delmdahl, Coherent LaserSystems GmbH & Co. KG, Göttingen, Germany: “UVblade – Flexible Display Manufacturing by the Meter”

2014
1. Dr. Ralf Preu, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Freiburg, Germany: “Laser Fired Contact (LFC) technology for the production of highly efficient silicon solar cells”

2. Dr. Markus Kogel-Hollacher, Precitec Optronik GmbH, Neu-Isenburg, Germany
„Penetration Depth and Topography Measurement in Laser Materials Processing using Low Coherence Interferometry“

3. Dr. Yves Bellouard, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
„FEMTOPRINT: A femtosecond laser printer for three-dimensional micro- and nano-manufacturing of glass“

2012
1. Dr. Stephan Brüning, Schepers GmbH & Co. KG, Vreden, Germany
“ 3D micro-structuring of large scale metal surfaces for embossing and printing applications with high power ultrashort pulse-lasers ”

2. Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Pätzel, Coherent GmbH, Göttingen, Germany
„ Excimer lasers for Active-Matrix-LCD and Active-Matrix-OLED based flat panel displays “

3. Dr. Markus Kogel-Hollacher, Precitec Optronik GmbH, Rodgau, Germany
„3D-capable co-axial laser brazing head with integrated seam tracking “

Contact persons for applicants and journalists:

Dr. Hartmut Frerichs, General Secretary of Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik e.V.,
Phone: +49 175 8134469, Fax: +49 241 8906 121,
email: hartmut.frerichs@akl-ev.de

Dr. Stefan Kaierle, European Laser Institute,
Phone: +49 511 2788 370, Fax: +49 511 2788 100
email: contact@europeanlaserinstitute.org

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