Photonics Knowledge Transfer Network
In July 2006 Lord Sainsbury (UK Government Minister for Science and Innovation) launched the DTI's Photonics Strategy, demonstrating the Government's backing for the rapidly growing 'Photonics'* segment of both research and industry. The opening paragraph of this strategy document [PDF/3.5MB] says: "There is good reason to believe that the impact of photonics in the 21st century will be as significant as electronics was in the 20th, or steam in the 19th." A big claim indeed!
To help drive the Government's plans forward, of keeping the UK at the forefront of R&D in photonics and enabling new ideas quickly to come to fruition in industry, Lord Sainsbury also announced the start of the Photonics Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) - of which the UK ATC is a founding member. This key new KTN joins others, including the Sensors KTN in which PPARC (UK ATC's parent) also has a stake, which aim to give the UK-wide communities a single voice in their respective areas and support for collaboration, technology exploitation and overall sector growth.
The Photonics KTN grew out of two previous successful Faraday Partnerships: EPPIC and Smart Optics. The UK ATC (as a key member in the Smart Optics Faraday Partnership) is one of seven partners in the new Photonics KTN led by the UK Centre for Photonics and Optics, and including Photonics Cluster (UK), TWI, the Centre for Integrated Photonics, the Association of Industrial Laser Users, and University College London. Together we will provide a range of activities and initiatives to enable the exchange of knowledge and the stimulation of business innovation.
Dr Steve Welch, the acting director said: "We're very excited about the potential for this KTN: there are lots of opportunities for UK businesses in world markets. From our Faraday experience it is clear that sponsoring people to have time that other people haven't got for networking really pays dividends. These 'technology translators' are immensely effective at connections in the landscape between users and developers".
Further details can be found at: www.photonicsKTN.org. Or contact Dr. Julian Dines directly in the Innovation Group of the UK ATC to be put in touch with the technology translators.
* 'Photonics' - In principle this term can apply to any device or system that uses photons, but in practise it is usually restricted to electromagnetic waves with wavelengths from nanometres to millimetres. This includes all visible light, infrared radiation, ultraviolet, and even sub-millimetre and terahertz systems - so all of what is often called "optics" and more! The UK ATC is a key player in this area.