Photonics21
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Photonics21 Articles
Process converts CO2 and hydrogen into clean energy
A European consortium is developing a new process that uses sunlight and LEDs to turn carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into clean energy products like methane gas and methanol liquid fuel.
New microscope uses photonics to gain insights into ‘superbugs’
Scientists are building a new super-resolution microscope that uses laser light to study the inner workings and behaviours of superbugs to gain new insights into how they cause disease.
Using photonics to detect bowel cancer
Early intervention could prevent many of the 160,000 deaths from colon cancer in Europe each year. Colonoscopies, the gold standard for spotting bowel cancer early, can still miss up to 20% of precancerous cells. But now, thanks to a pan-European health consortium, a new concept that uses photonics to help doctors spot bowel cancer could soon prevent up to half of these deaths and save €9bn in reduced healthcare costs.
European photonics industry growing at more than double global GDP rate
New research recently published shows European photonics is growing at more than double the rate of global GDP - outperforming EU GDP and EU industrial production by three and five times, respectively. Present in many high-end, next-generation products, photonics technologies have proved to be long-term drivers of growth through their indispensable role in future markets.
Brain damage in babies spotted early with new photonics scanner
An estimated 500,000 babies born around the world each year develop unnecessary brain damage that could be treated if caught in time - but monitoring these infants' delicate brains is extremely difficult. However, spotting these underlying causes at a critical, early stage, a new photonics device currently in development aims to reduce unnecessary disabilities by improving the instant, real time monitoring of newborn babies with harmless light pa...
Laser system to create grease-repellent metal surfaces
The end of scrubbing ovens and home appliances with chemicals or heat could soon be in sight, thanks to a new high power laser system being developed to put ‘self-cleaning’, grease-repellent and antibacterial properties into sheet metal. Teaming up with appliance giant Bosch, the European photonics consortium behind the system could soon see their technology create fluid-repellent surfaces fitted inside the next generation of dishwash...
Invest in photonics now to fight future pandemics
Strong investment in photonics will help us fight infectious diseases that kill an unimaginable number of people and prepare us against future pandemics, says Dr Jürgen Popp of the Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI) that is currently under construction in Jena.
Instant bladder cancer scan could save thousands of lives
Thousands of lives lost to bladder cancers each year could be saved thanks to a new bladder cancer scan that uses photonics to illuminate parts of the tissue that are currently impossible to visualise. A European photonics research team is developing a new endoscope to scan for the early signs of bladder cancer.
Dedicated medical pilot production line
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need to quickly develop diagnostic equipment in the face of a novel threat. Thanks to a dedicated medical pilot production line that gives easy access to prototyping, new medical tools that use photonics to detect major diseases will be quicker, cheaper and easier to develop.
Saliva test to instantly detect coronavirus with lasers
European photonics scientists are developing an ultrasensitive laser sensor that detects coronavirus at the earliest point of infection from a saliva or nasal swab in minutes.
Screening breakthrough to end unnecessary biopsies
Harnessing photonics, European scientists have created a new mammographic imaging system that determines benign or malignant breast lesions - spelling an end for unnecessary biopsies and anguish for millions of women.
EU Biophotonic workshop to improve patient healthcare
A biophotonic workshop hosted by the European Commission is set to examine the latest developments in clinical diagnostics. Billed as a performance assessment and standardisation activity, the gathering will act as a biophotonic focus group to improve healthcare, by sharing good practice about making medical devices more reliable and eventually reducing health costs.
Powerful laser to boost car manufacturing
With the ability to cut and shape ultra-high-strength boron steel up to one thousand times faster than existing technology, a new precision pulse laser looks set to boost the car industry with a ten percent reduction in waste products, a five percent reduction in chassis costs, and a two-third decrease in manufacturing time.
Thirty minute blood test to reduce sepsis deaths
A new detector using photonics to identify E. coli bacteria from a tiny drop of blood, and produce a while-you-wait diagnosis in less than thirty minutes is making a bold bid to reduce the mortality rate from sepsis by more than 70%.
Digital tiles turn bedroom walls into cinema screens
A team of European scientists have developed a set of digital, ceramic tiles that can change colour, pattern, or play videos with a connected smartphone or tablet, turning a bedroom wall or ceiling into a giant cinema screen.
Patrolling robots to destroy petrol plant explosions
Autonomous robots fitted with tiny chemical sensors that listen to the ‘sounds’ coming off gases will instantly detect gas leaks in petrochemical plants and pipelines to dramatically improve disaster responses. The risk of a petrol plant explosion or a potential disaster on an oil refinery could be dramatically reduced thanks to a new generation of tiny chemical sensors that use light and sound to ‘listen to’ gas leak...
Photonics to help dairy industry with new five minute scan
A new optical sensor that can check the presence of contaminants in milk and produce a detailed reading in five minutes, is set to dramatically reduce costs, wastage and antibiotic use linked to the production, quality control, and processing phases in the dairy industry.
Harnessing photonics to develop faster internet networks
A group of EU-funded researchers are incorporating VCSEL laser sources with silicon photonics to develop long wavelength, high capacity communications for the very first time, paving the way for light-speed metropolitan connectivity, and powering new ‘smart’ services like future gaming and on-demand TV.
Laser fabric cures skin diseases
Chronic skin conditions such as acne, Actinic Keratosis, and psoriasis can now be treated in a single 150 minute appointment, thanks to a wearable laser that blasts the skin with light. French scientists at 'Texinov Medical Textiles', have developed a knitted laser fabric that blasts the skin with light, giving treatment to enflamed skin or lesions over a 2 and a half hour appointment.
European photonics to create 1 million jobs by 2030
Instant diagnosis of major diseases, the eradication of all road accidents, and the creation of 1 million new jobs are some of the benefits that will be generated by the Photonics sector by 2030 according to a new vision paper published by Photonics21. The vision paper ‘Europe’s Age of Light’ sets out a new strategy for the future of European photonics highlighting what could be achieved if this technology is maintained by ...