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10 September 2012
OSA to Co-Host Capitol Hill Briefing on Economic Importance of Optics and Photonics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lyndsay Meyer
The Optical Society
+1.202.416.1435
lmeyer@osa.org
OSA to Co-Host Capitol Hill Briefing on Economic Importance of Optics and Photonics
Congressional briefing to cover National Academy of Sciences report on role of optical science and engineering in advancing America’s future
The Optical Society (OSA), in conjunction with the IEEE Photonics Society, SPIE and the American Physical Society (APS), is co-hosting a congressional briefing on the National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS) recently-released report, Optics and Photonics: Essential Technologies for Our Nation. Leading optical scientists and engineers will discuss the report and the growing economic importance of optics and photonics. Each speaker is a recognized leader in photonics research, but is also deeply involved in business and job creation. The briefing will provide an opportunity for members of Congress and their staff to learn more about optics and photonics and how to work with the field to promote job growth, innovate new technologies and improve lives.
What: Congressional R&D Caucus Briefing: Lighting the Way to American Prosperity
Where: 2325 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Who: Dr. Martin Richardson
Northrop Grumman Prof of X-ray Photonics; Prof of Optics; Director Townes Laser Institute, University of Central FloridaDr. Greg Olsen
Private astronaut on the International Space Station; Entrepreneur in Residence, Princeton UniversityDr. Tom Baer
Executive Director, Stanford Photonics Research Center, Stanford University; Co-founder, Arcturus Bioscience
In the past 10 years, enormous progress has been made in the development of optical technologies for energy, solid-state lighting, manufacturing, fiber optic telecommunications, defense, medicine, and information technology. This new report from NAS assesses the current state of optics from a market perspective, prioritizes a set of "grand challenge" questions to fill technological gaps, and recommends actions for further development and maintenance. Members of the NAS committee that authored the report will also be on hand at the briefing to discuss key findings.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Reporters wishing to attend should contact Sarah Cogan at +1 202.416.1409 or scogan@osa.org.
About OSA
Uniting more than 130,000 professionals from 175 countries, the Optical Society (OSA) brings together the global optics community through its programs and initiatives. Since 1916 OSA has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing educational resources to the scientists, engineers and business leaders who work in the field by promoting the science of light and the advanced technologies made possible by optics and photonics. OSA publications, events, technical groups and programs foster optics knowledge and scientific collaboration among all those with an interest in optics and photonics. For more information, visit www.osa.org.
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