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OSA News Releases

Welcome to the OSA News Releases page. This page contains news from the Optical Society, including research highlights from OSA's journals, conference news, award announcements and more. Sort releases by category below to see all the news releases in a particular area.

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News Releases

OSA, NIH Partner on Interactive Science Publishing
30 September 2008
The Optical Society (OSA) announced today that it is partnering with the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Library of Medicine (NLM) on an “Interactive Science Publishing” initiative (ISP). ISP enables authors to submit a manuscript including large three-dimensional data sets. ISP provides the opportunity for researchers, scientists and engineers to evaluate new research results more thoroughly.
Christine Orr Joins OSA as Director of Publication Sales
23 September 2008
The Optical Society (OSA) announced today that Christine Orr has joined its staff as director of publication sales. In this position Orr will work to increase the presence of OSA’s journals in the library and institutional subscriber communities.
Invisibility Undone
03 September 2008
Harry Potter beware! A team of Chinese scientists has developed a way to unmask your invisibility cloak. According to a new paper in the latest issue of Optics Express, the Optical Society’s (OSA) open-access journal, certain materials underneath an invisibility cloak would allow invisible objects be seen again.
OSA's OpticsForKids Web Site Wins iParenting Media Award
21 August 2008
The Optical Society’s (OSA) optics youth education Web site, OpticsForKids.org, recently won an iParenting Media Award for Outstanding Products of 2008. iParenting.com is an online community for parents and parents-to-be and is part of Disney’s network of family-focused Web sites. The award recognizes exceptional products for parents and their families in 20 categories. OpticsForKids.org joins an impressive list of winning organizations all specializing in education Web sites.
Industry Newsmakers - 2nd Quarter 2008
04 August 2008
The industry’s leading conference on lasers and electro-optics, CLEO/QELS & PhAST, took place in May. More than 350 exhibitors, including several OSA Corporate Member companies, were on hand displaying the latest products and innovations. This edition of Industry Newsmakers includes news from Lockheed Martin, Newport, New Focus, nLIGHT and more.
OSA Foundation Announces Funding for New and Continuing Programs
04 August 2008
The Optical Society’s (OSA) Foundation Board of Directors recently approved new funding for programs taking place this year. These grants will help advance international optics-related education by renewing successful grants and introducing new programs. The grants and programs will benefit students and educators around the world by providing resources such as classroom sets, travel support and program funding.
Scientists Demonstrate the Sharpest Measurement of Ice Crystals in Clouds
17 July 2008
Scientists have created an instrument designed to help determine the shapes and sizes of tiny ice crystals typical of those found in high-altitude clouds, down to the micron level (comparable to the tiniest cells in the human body), according to a new study in Optics Letters, a journal published by the Optical Society. The data produced using this instrument likely will help improve computer models used to predict climate change.
OSA Re-Launches OPTICSforKIDS.org
07 July 2008
The Optical Society (OSA) has unveiled a redesign of its optics education Web site, OPTICSforKIDS.org. Developed to encourage interest in optics and photonics, the site includes new and updated features such as an optics history timeline, a gallery of optical images, more than 30 experiments, a variety of tutorials and a career quiz.
OSA and EESI to Host Congressional Caucus Briefing on Solar Energy in America
01 July 2008
Solar power is both a clean and abundant energy source, producing electric power from photovoltaic cells and through large-scale thermal technology known as concentrating solar power. Experts believe the United States has the potential to greatly expand the use of this alternative energy source, while also creating jobs and strengthening energy security.
New Technology May Help Olympic Sailing
30 June 2008
A team of researchers at the Ocean University of China has developed and tested a mobile lidar (light detection and ranging) station that can accurately measure wind speed and direction over large areas in real time -- an application useful for aviation safety, weather forecasting and sports.