The submissions deadline for the first annual Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation is Sept. 12. The competition, sponsored by SPIE and Laurin Publishing, is based on the theme that Invention + Commercialization = Innovation, and will recognize products or processes that are making a difference in the marketplace today. Submissions to the global competition must have been first-to-market between September 2007 and September 2008. Award categories include: optics, lasers, other light sources, life sciences, photonics systems, photonics processes, sustainable/green technology, analytical, test and measurement, and detectors, sensing and imaging systems. The competition will be judged by a distinguished, independent panel of acknowledged technology experts in their respective fields. Awards in each category will be presented Jan. 28 at SPIE Photonics West in San Jose, Calif., the largest photonics event in North America on optics, lasers, biomedical optics, optoelectronic components and imaging technologies. To fill out an application, click here; for more information, visit: www.photonicsprismaward.com