Photonics21 launches "Prototype Your Idea" contest

13 Feb 2018

Researchers and students can propose their novel photonics systems for development into commercial products.

European technology platform Photonics21 is inviting researchers, masters and PhD students, and photonics systems developers to participate in the #next_photonics Prototype Your Idea contest.

Photonics21 embraces the majority of the leading photonics industries and relevant R&D stakeholders across the whole economic value chain throughout Europe. Today the group has more than 2500 members.

The competition invitation, announced on the Photonics21 website, states: “Any person active in the field of optics and photonics, may apply for the #next_photonics. Prototype Your Idea Contest.”

Photonics21 has established the dedicated Innovation Challenge to push for more entrepreneurship in photonics. The contest addresses PhD students, master students and makers alike who have a novel idea for a photonics product that could be transformed into a real business.

Conditions for eligibility of a given idea or emerging development are:

• The product is not on the market yet
• The idea has potential for application in industry
• The idea is innovative
• The idea is presented in English
• Submissions may be entered by individuals or teams

Applicants must submit a short (less than 5 minute) video that demonstrates the uniqueness of the idea and the added value it offers to integrators or end-users. P21 comments, “Be creative and keep your message clear. Do not hesitate to use visuals or simulation to present your idea, prototype or product.”

Materials must be received by the Photonics21 Secretariat by the closing date of 27th April 2018 @23:59 GMT.

Dedicated Innovation challenge to push for more entrepreneurship in photonics.

The #next.photonics_forum entitled "Winning the future - Europe's age of light" will be held on 8th and 9th March 2018 in the Museum of Fine Arts/Musées Royaux des Beaux Arts and the Bluepoint Conference Centre in Brussels.

The annual event continues the further strategy development of the Photonics Public Private Partnership in preparation of the new EU framework programme. On the second event day the European photonics community will launch the strategy process for a new photonics multiannual roadmap for the next 10 years.

As inspiration for this strategy process the symposium on the first day will cover some high level ignite talks providing a global view on Digitisation and Internet of Things as well as latest developments in Industry 4.0 and Virtual and Augmented Reality.

Highlights and key themes for the two-day conference and workshop series from the draft program include:

• Aldo Kamper, Photonics21 President & CEO Osram Opto Semiconductor
• Carl Buhr, Deputy Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Gabriel, European Commission
• Ignite talk – Digitisation and Internet of Things by Dr. Heike Riel, Executive Director IBM Research Frontiers Institute, Director IoT Technology and Solutions
• Jean-François Hebert, VP Sales Global Accounts High Tech Industry, Dassault Sysèmes
• Prof. Dr. Michael Totzeck, Fellow Corporate Research and Technology Carl Zeiss AG
• Lucilla Sioli, Director Digital Industry, DG CONNECT, European Commission Photonics Strategy Process towards FP9
• On day two, workshop Sessions on: Information & Communication; Industrial Manufacturing & Quality; Life Sciences & Health; Emerging Lighting, Electronics & Displays; Security, Metrology & Sensors; Design & Manufacturing of Components & Systems; Photonics Research, Education & Training; Automotive & Transport; and Agriculture & Food.