The PLG is currently soliciting support for the preparation of a ‘How to Guide’ on best practice in the preparation, wording and content of job adverts and job specifications from Photonics organisations so they will appeal to a broadest and highest quality set of applicants. Photonics is a key enabling, but frequently hidden technology. This…
A new technology inspired feasibility competition from Innovate_UK opens on 18 May. Investing up to £3 million in enabling technologies that “underpin UK growth” including photonics Projects to last 6 to 15 months and to range in size from total costs of £50,000 to £150,000 with Innovate covering 50-70% of eligible costs according to company…
As the new UK government settles in, what can we expect in the next five years? Analysis of the 2015 Conservative Manifesto indicates the following highlights relevant to UK Photonics and other enabling technology industries. Invest in science and technology, back UK industrial strengths, make Britain the tech centre of Europe Focus on improving productivity,…
Fast Track to Innovation is a new EU innovation support program, designed for high TRL projects (TRL6-9) . By EU Commisions their own description this is targeted at well developed technology “any solution proposed for funding must already have been successfully tested in an operational relevant environment, and prospects for market uptake quantified” Projects should…
The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) is one of the international supporters of the International year of Light and has organised the “Global Open Lab Day” (GOLD) inviting any laboratory that deals with light, optics, lasers, astronomy etc to open its doors to the general public in a shared period between the 9th and the 25th of…
The UK website for the international year of light is now live. Featuring a rapidly expanding list of events around the UK for all ages covering the whole cross section of light based applications and technology from light base art installations to lasers for manufacturing. If you are interested in organising or supporting an event…
The UK Photonics industry continues to grow rapidly at 6-8% per year. To support this growth in the long term needs a growing photonics skilled/aware work force at all levels from senior management to the manufacturing floor. The following summarises a number of schemes that are in place to increase the supply of the photonics…
The development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy was recognised in the 2014 Nobel Prize for Chemistry The invention of the Blue LED which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources was recognised in the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physics Both are key advances in photonics which are already have wide ranging impact in society and…
Thursday 17 July 2014 The Photonics Leadership Group (PLG) welcomes the announcement today that the Duke of York has agreed to become patron of the International Year of Light in the UK. Dr Christopher Dorman chairman of the Photonics Leadership group said “The international year of light 2015 will be pivotal in raising awareness of…
We have prepared the following response from the PLG to be submitted to the BIS consultation on Proposals for Long-Term Capital Investment in Science & Research. Your suggestions for improvement before submission on 3 July are most welcome. If you have strong opinions you should of course also submit your own response directly at https://bisgovuk.citizenspace.com/digital/consultation-on-proposals-for-long-term-capital-in/consultation/intro/view…
