Prize for Industrial Applications of Physics

This prize was last awarded in 2017. It was presented biennially to an individual, or individuals, for applications of physics in an industrial setting. The purpose of the prize was 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.
 

The Prize consisted of $10,000, a certificate, travel reimbursement and registration waiver to attend the APS meeting at which the Prize was presented. It was awarded for innovative, leading-edge applications of physics to emerging technologies. It was not necessary for the application to have already achieved commercial success, but it should have demonstrated potential for significant impact. Although nominees did not need to be working in industry currently, the contribution for which they are cited must have been made while their principal employment was in industry. The recognized contribution may be a product, a process, or a tool enabling practical application of physics. Nominees were not required to be APS members, and there is no restriction with regard to geography or nationality. In order to encourage a broad spectrum of nominations, and in particular nominations from smaller companies as well as larger ones, self-nominations were encouraged.

Establishment & Support

The initial Prize for Industrial Applications of Physics (IAP) was established in 1977 by the American Institute of Physics (AIP). The APS Prize was established in 2007 with support from the General Motors Corporation and was awarded in alternate years by AIP and APS.

Rules & Eligibility

The Prize will be awarded for innovative, leading-edge applications of physics to emerging technologies. It is not necessary for the application to have already achieved commercial success, but it should have demonstrated potential for significant impact. Although nominees need not now be working in industry, the contribution for which they are cited must have been made while their principal employment was in industry. The recognized contribution may be a product, a process, or a tool enabling practical application of physics. Nominees need not be APS members, and there is no restriction with regard to geography or nationality.

Nomination & Selection Process

Deadline:

This prize is currently inactive.

In order to encourage a broad spectrum of nominations, and in particular nominations from smaller companies as well as larger ones, self-nominations are encouraged.

Nomination materials should include biographical information, relevant lists of publications and patents, and up to three letters of support. The committee will then recommend one of the nominees to the APS Executive Board, and the recipient of the Prize will be announced after the Board has approved the recommendation, which usually occurs in late September or early October. The Prize will be presented the following spring at an appropriate APS meeting (usually the March meeting). Nominations will remain active through three prize cycles.

The online nominations system will open toward the end of 2016. Watch for email and website announcements that the site is open to accept new nominations and update material for continuing nominations.

2017 Selection Committee Members: Mike Gordon (Chair), Barbara Jones, John Rumble, Bob Doering (present winner)

The membership of APS is diverse and global, and the nominees and recipients of APS Honors should reflect that diversity so that all are recognized for their impact on our community. Nominations of members belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in physics, such as women, LGBT+ scientists, scientists who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), disabled scientists, scientists from institutions with limited resources, and scientists from outside the United States, are especially encouraged.

Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.

2017 Recipient

Asad Khan
Kent Displays



Past Recipients

2015: Supratik Guha
2013: John Woollam
2011: Billy Ward
          Nicholas P. Economou
2009: Philip J. Wyatt