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04 Oct 2006
Photonics21 set to participate in European Information Society Technologies event in Helsinki in November. Also, a general meeting of the group is set for November-December.
The Photonics21 (P21) pan-European industry group has announced that its membership has nearly doubled within the first seven months since the launch of the platform earlier in 2006. It now has more than 400 members from across Europe and beyond. Also worth noting is the strong engagement of small to medium-sized enterprises in the group.
Preparations have begun for P21's official participation in the European Information Society Technologies Event 2006 to be held in Helsinki from 21-23 November. Organised annually by the European Commission's Directorate General, Information Society & Media, this will be the most important IST event of the year. It is expected to attract about 4000 participants from all over Europe. P21 will have a stand and is planning a networking session.
A general meeting of P21 coinciding with a meeting of the Board of Stakeholders is planned for November or December 2006 in Brussels (precise date to be confirmed, which will be posted on Photonics21's website). In conjunction with this, the group is also organising a special information day on Photonics Calls in FP7 (Framework Programme 7, the EC's funding programme for various R&D activities for 2007).
Fotonika 21 established in Slovenia
"The Photonics21 platform represents a bond between development and research, with a goal to find new long-term opportunities," said Janez Renko of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Association at the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce (GZS).
"The platform, established by various companies and research institutes, focuses on the fields of laser technology, optoelectronics, medical devices, communication technology, contemporary electro-optics, quantum electronics and new materials.
For Slovenia to remain competitive, new parallel technologies must be developed, Renko stressed, adding that they plan to draw funds from the state budget and partly also from the European structural funds. Photonics is one of the most successful fields in the European and global industry, the GZS believes.
SwissLaserNet founded
Another national technology platform has been established in Switzerland, called SwissLaserNet. The aim of the platform is to bundle and coordinate the existing know-how on laser material processing in the country. So far, nine research institutes have joined up. SwissLaserNet is seeking a close alliance between Swiss photonics companies and the Photonics21 group.
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