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Finalists announced for Photonics Frontiers Award 2025

Photonics Frontiers Award finalists

The 2025 Photonics Frontiers Award has entered its final phase, with seven groundbreaking projects advancing from the initial shortlist.

Following rigorous second-round evaluation by an independent panel of industry and academic experts, the finalists represent the most compelling applications of light-based technologies addressing critical real-world challenges across multiple sectors.

The seven finalists

The projects from each category advancing to the final judging round are (click the links for a detailed look at each entry):

Industry enthusiasm

"The seven finalists represent the very best of what photonics can achieve when innovation meets real-world application," said Warren Clark, CEO of Europa Science. 

"From revolutionising brain injury detection to enabling next-generation space propulsion, these projects demonstrate how light-based technologies are not just advancing science, but fundamentally changing how we address critical challenges across healthcare, sustainability, and beyond," said Warren Clark, CEO of Europa Science, parent company of Electro Optics. "The diversity and calibre of these finalists truly exemplify the power of photonics to address some of the world's most pressing challenges and drive innovation across numerous sectors."

What's next?

The winner will be announced during a ceremony on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Laser World of Photonics exhibition in Munich, bringing together leaders from the global photonics community. Attendees can visit the Electro Optics, Imaging and Machine Vision Europe, and Fibre Systems teams at Laser World of Photonics in Munich at Hall B3, Stand 250.

Detailed information about the finalist projects is available on the Electro Optics website, with many entrants featuring in series of pre-award webcasts: 

Award recognition criteria

The Photonics Frontiers Award distinguishes itself by recognising practical applications rather than individual achievements, highlighting breakthrough technologies from integrators, original equipment manufacturers, academic institutions, and end-users. The award aims to connect innovative photonics solutions with the markets and audiences that can benefit most from these advances.

The independent judging panel, featuring experts including Antonio Castelo from EPIC, Alison McLeod from Photonics Scotland, Chris Yates from EMVA, Professor John Girkin from the University of Durham, John Lincoln from the Photonics Leadership Group, and Royal Society Research Professor Miles Padgett from the University of Glasgow, evaluated entries based on five key criteria.

Projects were assessed for their innovative use of photonics, tangible impact on end-users, growth potential for new market opportunities, credible supporting evidence, and overall submission quality.

If you have any queries about the Photonics Frontiers Award, please contact rachel.marston@europascience.com.

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