See the many ways excellence is recognized across multiple disciplines and the various ways innovation and research is acknowledged and celebrated.
The awards presented at Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation represent four categories of excellence across various disciplines:
SPIE SSM/NDE Lifetime Achievement Awards recognize senior researchers who have made significant contributions to the field of Smart Structures and Materials (SSM) or Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) and who have been instrumental in their growth. The award decision is based on the extent of the nominee's impact on our community and participation in the SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation symposium. The prize consists of an SPIE certificate and a plenary talk at the Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation Symposium the following year.
Nominate a colleague who has made a significant impact on the Smart Structures + NDE community. View eligibility requirements and nomination instructions by clicking on the Nomination form button to the left.
Craig F. Bohren Best Student Presentation Award
The Biologically Inspired Materials, Processes, and Systems (BIMPS) conference chairs choose the Best Student Presentation Award from their conference. This award is sponsored by an SPIE Fellow. A cash prize will be given to the first, second, and third place winners.
Craig F. Bohren is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Meteorology at The Pennsylvania State University. An expert on atmospheric optics, his autobiographical paper will no doubt inspire many researchers, young and old alike.
Eligibility requirements:
Apply online:
You will be asked to provide your SPIE paper number, paper title, and school information.
Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems Best Student Paper Award
The Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems conference committee will choose the Best Student Paper Award from their conference. Applicants will then submit an extended abstract for review, and selected finalists will present in a special session at the Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation meeting. A certificate will be given to the first, second, and third place winners.
Eligibility requirements:
Apply online:
You will be asked to provide your SPIE paper number, paper title, and school information. You will also provide an extended abstract (2-page maximum excluding references) in PDF format.
Review process:
EAP/Soft Robotics-in-Action Demonstration Awards
New soft mechatronic and electroactive polymer materials and application areas are continuing to emerge and this session offers up-close demonstrations of these new technologies in action. Entries are invited from industry and academia. There is never a dull moment at this session which features everything from early university prototypes to products. The demonstration format enables interaction between the developers and potential users as well as a “hands-on” experience with our emerging technology.
An award will be given to the three best demonstrations. The judges will assess the presenters’ performance as well as the quality and content of the demos.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Submit your demo information through the online form by 30 September 2025.
You will be asked to provide your contact information, demo title, author list, a brief description of your demo, and a schematic/photo that represents your demo. View last year's EAP-in-Action webpage for an example of how your demo information will be listed.
