At the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT), researchers in collaboration with RWTH Aachen University – Chair for Technology of Optical Systems (RWTH-TOS) are using a spatial light modulator (SLM) to shape the beam of an ultrashort pulse laser precisely into the desired pattern to apply to the surface of a workpiece.The developers say that this approach “significantly speeds up processing and opens up new possibilities for, among other...

Germany’s Office of the Federal President has announced the nominations for the German Future Prize 2025 (“Deutscher Zukunftspreis”). This year’s nominees include Dr. Mark Bischoff, Dr. Gregor Stobrawa and Dirk Mühlhoff from Zeiss Medical Technology (ZMT), for their project for minimally-invasive lenticule extraction to correct refractive errors. Nominated: Dirk Mühlhoff, Mark Bischoff, and Gregor StobrawaThe ZMT team has developed the highl...

A project at NIST has developed a new way to monitor and assess 3D printing of metals.Finding and correcting defects inadvertently created inside a 3D printed part is one of the biggest challenges for metal printing, commented NIST. But getting a close look at the printing operation as it's underway is not easy.As well as the toxicity of the raw materials, there can be a risk of combustion or explosion, compelling the use of sealed manufacturing ...

TYVOK, industry leaders in laser engraving technology, just announced the launch of TYVOK K1, a modular CO₂ laser engraver engineered to give makers, designers, schools, and small businesses industrial power with intuitive design and user-friendly operation. TYVOK K1 blends a true 100W optical CO₂ laser engine with precision motion control, a rigid, level platform, and professional-grade safety systems—combined into a platform that expands and gr...

PsiQuantum, the Palo Alto startup at the forefront of photonics-based quantum computer development, says it will break ground on two manufacturing sites after closing a series E venture round that raised $1 billion.The new funding, led by private equity giant Blackrock and featuring several others including Nvidia’s venture capital wing, will enable the firm to build quantum computing sites in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago.PsiQuantum says it w...

Detecting the presence of nanoscale plastic particles in the environment has become a topic of concern for industrial societies worldwide, not least since particles of that size can evade the body's blood-brain barrier and damage metabolic processes.Optical technologies have been at the forefront of these monitoring efforts. Recent examples have included the use of stimulated Raman scattering to spot nanoplastics in ocean waters and in popular br...

A high-end manufacturing facility for semiconductor optics will be expanded at Jenoptik’s production campus in Jena, Germany. The photonics group will invest a sum in the low double-digit million euro range starting at the end of 2025.On the expanded production areas, Jenoptik will manufacture sophisticated, high-quality optical components that are mainly used in the semiconductor equipment industry.Once preliminary planning has been completed by...

Applications are now open for the 2026 SPIE Startup Challenge. The annual entrepreneurial pitch competition is held by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, as part of SPIE Photonics West.In 2026, Photonics West will be held 17-22 January in San Francisco’s Moscone Center, with the SPIE Startup Challenge finals being held 20 January.The SPIE Startup Challenge is a competitive entrepreneurial platform for new businesses that ut...

In the U.S., one in five of the 37 million adults who has diabetes is not aware of it (according to the U.S. CDC – Centers for Disease Control & Prevention). Current methods of diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes usually require a visit to a doctor’s office or lab work, both of which can be expensive and time-consuming. Now, diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes may be as simple as breathing. Diagnosing diabetes in a few minutes from just a ...

In EU project ALBATROSS, Fraunhofer IWS has developed battery housing for E-vehicles.Laser processes with dynamic beam shaping create stable joints even in challenging material combinations. Recent applications demonstrate how to eliminate filler materials while improving quality, energy efficiency, and production logic.Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (IWS) will present novel laser welding solutions at the trade fair Schweiß...

MetaOptics, a 2021 startup based in Singapore with expertise in metalenses and related optical components, is aiming to raise net proceeds of S$4 million (approximately US$3.1 million) by listing on the local “Catalist” stock exchange.Targeting emerging applications in smart phones, contactless 3D biometrics modules, tiny pocket projectors, lidar sensors, and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) devices, the company says it will use the proceeds...