About
22 July 2015
The Optical Society Congratulates the New York Consortium
22 July 2015
The Optical Society Congratulates the New York Consortium for Its Selection as the Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation
More Than $200 Million Public-Private Investment Will Increase Photonics Research and Development and Strengthen U.S. Competitiveness
WASHINGTON – The Optical Society, along with the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), congratulate the consortium partners in the state of New York on their selection for the Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation (IP-IMI). The IP-IMI will accelerate research, development and demonstration in the manufacture of integrated photonic components and circuits. The consortium will manage the Department of Defense-led institute, which will be funded by $110 million in federal investment along with matching commitments from the private sector of at least $100 million, making the IP-IMI the largest federal investment to date in the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation program.
“Photonics technologies in advanced manufacturing have been a key component in the revitalization of U.S. manufacturing, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries,” said Elizabeth Rogan, CEO of The Optical Society. “The Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation highlights the economic impact of optics and photonics and will strengthen our global competitiveness. We congratulate the New York consortium, and we look forward to working with the new IP-IMI team, as well as continuing our support and affiliation with the finalists.”
The New York Congressional delegation, led by Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Representatives Slaughter and Reed; government; industry and academic partners all contributed to the winning proposal. The IP-IMI will create an integrated photonics manufacturing innovation ecosystem in the United States, with the goal of developing low-cost, high volume, manufacturing methods for photonic devices and components.
“The IP-IMI is part of an overall effort by the U.S. government to increase the development and production of new photonics applications and technologies,” said Mike Mielke, public policy chair for The Optical Society, and program manager at Trumpf North America. “The Optical Society was pleased to support the Department of Defense on the creation of the IP-IMI by offering technical expertise and insight during the development process, and we look forward to continuing our work with the new IP-IMI facility.”
About the IP-IMI
First established by President Obama in 2013, the IMI initiative aims to create a network of regional “hubs” across the country, working to bridge the gap between applied research and product development. The IP-IMI, sponsored by the Department of Defense (DOD) is specifically designed to promote and cultivate innovations and advances in photonics and the science of light. As the location of the new IP-IMI, the Research Foundation for the State University of New York will serve as the leader for a consortium of universities and research facilities that aim to advance the state-of-the-art in the design, manufacturing, testing, assembly, and packaging of complex photonic integrated circuits that combine a variety of photonic and electronic components to achieve functionality.
About The Optical Society
Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and entrepreneurs who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. OSA is a founding partner of the National Photonics Initiative and the 2015 International Year of Light. For more information, visit www.osa.org.
About the NPI
The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) is a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of photonics and the impact of photonics on our everyday lives; increase cooperation and coordination among US industry, government and academia to advance photonics-driven fields; and drive US funding and investment in areas of photonics critical to maintaining US economic competitiveness and national security. The initiative is being led by top scientific societies including the American Physical Society (APS), the IEEE Photonics Society, the Laser Institute of America (LIA), The Optical Society (OSA) and SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics. For more information visit: www.lightourfuture.org.
Media Contact:
MediaRelations@osa.org
