The following division and group awards will be given for participation in the AVS 54th International Symposium in Seattle, Washington, October 14-19, 2007.  Additional info may be found on www.avs.org

The Applied Surface Science Division is offering awards for the best student presentations.  Students who would like to compete for the awards will need to present a poster or talk during any Applied Surface Science Division sessions, plus an additional “capsule” (3-slide, 5-minute) presentation to the judges, who will choose the winners based on the scientific merit and originality of their work.  The awards consist of three cash prizes totaling $1000 and certificates.  Students wishing to participate in the competition should contact the ASSD Student Award Chair when submitting an abstract (May 2007).  ASSD Student Award Chair - Dr. Julio A. Soares, Materials Research Laboratory - MC230, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801. Tel: (217) 265-6824 or e-mail soares@uiuc.edu. 

The Biomaterial Interfaces Division traditionally awards three cash prizes totaling $1,000 for the best student research poster presentations. To be eligible, the student must present a poster at one of the BI poster sessions on their thesis research. The students will be judged on the scientific merit and originality of their research. Individuals more than one year past the date when their final degree was awarded are not eligible to compete for the student prize. In addition to following the standard AVS abstract submission procedures, the students must submit a copy of their abstract along with a statement of intent to compete for the student prize by 06/01/2007 to BI Division Program Chair, Gabriel Lopez, University of New Mexico, USA, e-mail: gabriel_lopez@avs.org. 

Electronic Materials & Processing Division welcomes applications for the EMPD Postdoctoral Award of up to $500 for postdoctoral fellows who will be presenting EMPD papers at this year's International Symposium.  Interested postdocs should send (i) a copy of the accepted abstract, (ii) a recommendation letter from his/her advisor, and (iii) his/her vitae, plus (iv) a cover letter of request to Prof. L.J. Brillson, The Ohio State Univ., 205 Dreese Labs, 2015 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210-1272; Tel: 614-292-8015; e-mail Brillson.1@osu.edu. Deadline: 08/31/2007. 

Magnetic Interfaces & Nanostructures Division - The Leo M. Falicov Student Award has been established in memory of Professor Leo M. Falicov to recognize outstanding research performed by a graduate student in areas of interest to the Magnetic Interfaces and Nanostructures Division. Finalists will be selected on the basis of abstract submission, and will each receive a $500 award upon attending the AVS International Symposium and presenting their paper in an oral session. The Best Student Paper Award winner will be selected on the basis of the oral presentation, considering quality of research and clarity of presentation.  The award consists of a $500 cash prize and certificate.  Interested applicants should submit an abstract to the MIND technical program according to the regular AVS guidelines.  In addition, a copy of the AVS abstract, reprints/preprints of the work, and a letter of recommendation from the advisor should be sent before June 1, 2007 to:  Aubrey T. Hanbicki, Research Physicist, Materials and Sensors Branch, Code 6361, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20375-5343, Tel: (202) 767-3956, Fax: (202) 404-4637, hanbicki@nrl.navy.mil

Manufacturing Science and Technology Group Student & Post-Doctoral Fellows: The MSTG is pleased to announce and solicit applications for “MSTG Student and Post-Doctoral Fellows” to be competitively awarded to up to 3 graduate students and 1 post-doctoral researcher who present papers in MSTG sessions at the 2007 AVS Meeting.  The purpose of the MSTG Fellowships is to both encourage participation of students and post-docs in the MSTG program and to acknowledge the valuable contributions they make in advancing state-of-the-art in nano-manufacturing.  The MSTG continues to have a core competence in semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing, and applications in this area continue to be encouraged.  Full-time university graduate students and post-doctoral researchers with primary appointments at universities are eligible to apply.  (Preference will be given to those who give oral presentations of their papers.)  Students and post-docs awarded MSTG Fellowships will receive a $500 grant.  Submission materials consist of: 1) Letter of application describing the student’s/post-doc’s research (1 pg. max.); 2) Letter of endorsement by the student’s/post-doc’s research advisor (1 pg. max.); 3) Copy of submitted abstract (nicely formatted, not a printout of an e-mail submission form).  Send application materials to arrive no later than 06/01/2007 to: Edmund G. Seebauer, 2007 MSTG Award Chair, Dept. Chem. Eng., Univ. of Illinois, 600 S. Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801, Fax: 217-333-5052, e-mail: eseebaue@uiuc.edu. 

MEMS and NEMS Technical Group Best Paper Award: The MEMS and NEMS Technical Group (MN) is pleased to announce a “Best Paper Award” competition at AVS 54. The award includes a cash prize and a certificate to the well deserving student presenting his/her paper in an oral or poster session of the MN group. Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible. The candidates will be judged on the quality, originality of his/her research and their skill in presentation (oral/poster). In order to qualify for the competition, interested candidates should submit a copy of their AVS abstract and a support letter from their advisor to Dr. Anirudha V. Sumant, Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Building 440, Room A124, Argonne, IL 60439 or preferably by email to sumant@anl.gov on or before the abstract submission deadline. 

The Morton M. Traum Surface Science Student Award will be presented for the best student paper submitted to any session sponsored or jointly sponsored by the Surface Science (SS) Division at the AVS 54th International Symposium to be held October 14-19, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. This is the oldest student award in the AVS. A candidate for the award must be either a current graduate student or have received the Ph.D. degree in 2007. Up to a maximum of five finalists will be selected to compete, and will be judged based on their poster presentation. The main selection criteria include both scientific content and presentation skill. The winner will receive a $2,000 cash prize and a certificate. The winner’s name will appear in the list of previous winners published yearly in the Symposium technical program and on the plaque that is on display at the Symposium. The other finalists will receive a cash award. Applications should include the following: 1) a copy of the abstract submitted to AVS that includes the abstract submission number; 2) an extended abstract that does not exceed two pages (including tables, figures, and references); 3) a CV with publication list; 4) name and address of advisor; and 5) expected graduation date. Applications should be sent to Professor Yves Chabal, Rutgers University, Laboratory for Surface Modification, NPL 205, 136 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8019, Tel: 732-445-8248, Fax: 732-445-4991, email: chabal@rutgers.edu. Electronic submission of all information in a single PDF file, labeled by the applicant's name, ("FirstName_LastName.pdf") is preferred. Items must be received by May 23, 2007.  

Nanometer-scale Science and Technology Division Awards. STUDENT AWARDS: The Nanometer-scale Science and Technology Division's Student Award was established in 1998 to bring recognition to outstanding dissertation work by students giving oral presentations in NSTD sessions at AVS International Symposia. Applications should be sent to the Chair of the NSTD Awards Committee and must include a copy of the accepted abstract, an extended abstract written by the student of no more than three pages, and a recommendation letter from the student's research advisor, who must be a member of AVS.  Finalists are selected by the Awards Committee and must present a short talk at the Best Student Paper Lunch on Tuesday of the symposium. The winner is selected based on the quality of the talk, the responses to questions, and the level of the research. The winner receives a certificate and $1000, presented at the NSTD business meeting Tuesday afternoon. Contact: Dr. Kathryn Wahl, Code 6176, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave SW, Washington DC 20375-5342. Phone: 202-767-5419, email: kathryn.wahl@nrl.navy.mil. FEE WAIVER FOR UNIVERSITY POSTDOCS: The registration fee will be waived for qualifying postdoctoral associates employed by universities who are presenting their work in an NSTD session. Waivers must be requested in advance. To make a request, please submit a letter from your professor requesting the waiver and a copy of your abstract submitted to the NSTD by August 1. NANOTECHNOLOGY RECOGNITION AWARD: The Nanotechnology Recognition Award recognizes members of NSTD for outstanding scientific and technical contributions in the science of nanometer-scale structures, technology transfer involving nanometer-scale structures, and/or the promotion and dissemination of knowledge and development in these areas. The Award is $1,000 plus a certificate. The nomination deadline is 03/31/2007. The nomination consists of a nominating letter, biographical material, and supporting letters. Specific guidelines are available from Kathryn Wahl (see address above). The Award will be presented at the AVS 54th International Symposium and travel support is available to attend the presentation.

The Plasma Science & Technology Division is pleased to solicit nominations for the Plasma Prize, for outstanding contributions to the field of plasma science and technology. Required Application Materials: 1) A one-page description citing the reason for the nomination, 2) A biography and Curriculum Vitae of the nominee.  Nominations must be submitted by email to: Peter Ventzek at peter.ventzek@tel.com. Deadline:  07/31/2007.  Coburn & Winters Award - Required Application Materials:  1) A curriculum vitae of the nominee, 2) A one-page letter of endorsement from the student’s research advisor/mentor, 3) A copy of the nominee’s submitted abstract for the 54th AVS International Symposium.  A maximum of six finalists will be selected on the basis of technical and scientific merit and originality of research.  Each finalist will receive a merit award in the amount of $500 and must present their paper in a PSTD oral session at the 54th AVS Symposium.  The Coburn and Winters Award winner will be selected from the finalists on the basis of the oral presentation, the quality of research, the clarity of the presentation, and the potential for the research to advance the field of plasma science.  The award consists of an additional $500 cash prize.  The selection of finalists and the award winner is made by the PSTD Executive Committee.  These awards are contingent upon acceptance of the abstract for presentation in a PSTD session at the 54th AVS International Symposium.  Submissions are limited to one application from a particular research group unless previously discussed with the Awards Coordinator, Erwin Kessels.  Nominations must be submitted by e-mail to: Erwin Kessels, w.m.m.kessels@tue.nl.  Deadline:  05/16/2007. 

The Thin Film Division will be awarding both a $500 Graduate Student Award and a $500 Young Researcher Award (Ph.D. + 3 yrs) to encourage and recognize excellence in thin film research from scientists starting their professional careers.  Interested applicants should send 1) their CV; 2) a copy of their submitted AVS abstract; and 3) the appropriate letter(s) of recommendation.  For applicants for the Graduate Student Award, the letter of recommendation shall be from their research advisor.  Young Research Award applicants may submit two letters of recommendation; traditionally one is from their Ph.D. research advisor and one from a current advisor/mentor.  To be eligible for the Graduate Student Award, the student must be the presenter of either an oral or poster presentation in the Thin Film Division sessions at the AVS meeting and must be a currently registered graduate student on the date of the abstract submission deadline.  To be eligible for the Young Researcher Award, the applicant must be the presenter of either an oral or poster presentation in the Thin Film Division sessions at the AVS meeting and have received their Ph.D. or equivalent degree within three years of the abstract deadline.  The deadline for application is May 25, 2007.  Send submission materials (letters of reference must be e-mailed by their authors) to Dr. Jim Fitz-Gerald at jfitz@virginia.edu.  For additional info, please contact Dr. Fitz-Gerald by e-mail or phone (434-243-8830). 

Vacuum Technology Division Student Poster Competition – “Student-Built Vacuum Systems”  At the 54th AVS International Symposium, the Vacuum Technology Division will sponsor a competition for student posters that describe design, development, and/or use of “student-built vacuum systems.”  Although these types of vacuum systems may not represent state-of-the-art technology, they often reflect creative designs that are guided by unique functionality, and/or are constrained by limited resources.  Competitive submissions are expected to reveal inspired and/or cost-effective solutions to real-world issues encountered in typical vacuum system designs.  The posters will be judged during the poster session, and $500 will be awarded to the first-place winner of the competition.  A limited amount of travel reimbursement is also available.  The application deadline for entering the competition is 05/16/2007.  Students desiring to enter the competition should contact Tim Gessert, tim_gessert@nrel.gov, or visit the avs.org website for additional information.