Innovation in Materials Characterization Award Nomination Information

Purpose

To honor an outstanding advance in materials characterization that notably increases the knowledge of the structure, composition, in situ behavior under outside stimulus, electronic, mechanical, or chemical behavior, or other characterization feature, of materials. It is not limited to the method of characterization or the class of material observed. Impact of the advance on materials research will be the primary consideration in making the award. Nominations for this award may be made for scientists and engineers in all areas of materials research.

Endowers

The Innovation in Materials Characterization Award has been endowed by Dr. Toh-Ming Lu and Dr. Gwo-Ching Wang. 

Rules and Eligibility

Nomination for the Innovation in Materials Characterization Award is open to scientists and engineers in all areas of materials science.  Nominees need not be members of the Materials Research Society and nominees of any nationality are eligible.  Current members of the Innovation in Materials Characterization Subcommittee, MRS Board of Directors members, the Awards Chair, and previous recipients of this award are not eligible. The Innovation in Materials Characterization Award is presented at the MRS Spring Meeting.  The Award will not be bestowed in absentia except in extraordinary circumstances.  The endowing parties will not be involved in the selection process for this award.

The award will not be bestowed in absentia except in extraordinary circumstances. Current members of the Innovations in Materials Characterization Award Subcommittee, MRS Board members, and previous recipients of the Innovations in Materials Characterization Award are not eligible.

Administration

The Innovation in Materials Characterization Award is managed by the Innovation in Materials Characterization Award Subcommittee of the MRS Awards Committee. This subcommittee is responsible for soliciting and evaluating nominations annually and for recommending a nominee to the MRS Board for final approval or recommending that no award be made.

Nomination Submission Information

The nomination will be submitted through the MRS Awards Nomination Submission Web site portal. The nominator will use their MRS Customer ID and Login information to access the system. The nomination information required will include:

The following is required for nomination for the award:  

1. Nominee and Nominator Information 
   Nominator will enter the following into the online form: 
   Full name, organization, mailing address, email address, telephone number.
     
2. Proposed Citation 
   The proposed citation must be less than 30 words and entered into the online form.
   The nominator will summarize the innovation in characterization upon which the nomination is based, avoiding flowery descriptors
     
3. Nominator Statement (PDF File required/two pages maximum)
   This statement will include information supporting the candidate's suitability for the award with respect to:

• the specific, clearly defined, recent research innovation in characterization which is proposed for recognition
• the impact of the innovation within the relevant materials field(s), and its broader contribution to materials science, the originality and “break-through” quality of the innovation.

4. Supporting Documentation
   Brief CV, including lists of professional appointments held, honors, awards, patents. A separate list of most important publications, including those related to the proposed innovation. (PDF File required/four pages maximum)


5. Two letters of support from established scientists familiar with the nominee’s qualifications and area of research of the proposed innovation Please use the following guidelines:

• Supporter should make explicit reference to the criteria in item 3 above.  
• Each letter should be on letterhead and include the signature of supporter. 
• Letters must be formatted as a PDF file; two pages maximum for each letter

6. Submission Procedure
   The portal for submitting an MRS Award nomination will open and close on the published date¹ of each award. The nominator will use their MRS website credentials to access the system. Previously submitted nominations may also be updated in the system by using the nominator’s login information. Nominations are active for three years. 
   
   Please contact Lorri Smiley should you have technical difficulties or other submission concerns. 
   
   NOTE:¹ If an Award nomination deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the submission deadline will then default to the following business day at 11:59 p.m.