Mengjie Yu in the lab.
Image Credit: Courtesy of M. Yu |
The Optica Foundation was established in 2002 to support the society’s education, training and recognition programs. The latest addition to its roster of activities, the Optica Foundation Challenge, aims to help early-career optics researchers pursue high-impact ideas.
The 2022 Challenge accepted proposals for tackling global issues in three areas—environment, health and information—via solutions driven by optics and photonics. Ten winners were selected, each collecting US$100,000 to push their project forward. A feature article in the April issue of Optica’s Optics & Photonics News (OPN) profiles winners from each category, detailing their innovative proposals for solving real-world problems.
“We all believe optics and photonics can transform our world, can offer next-generation discoveries and breakthroughs in all aspects in our life, including health, information and environment,” winner Mengjie Yu says. “I firmly believe that statement.” The Foundation plans a second challenge round this year, with applications opening on 16 May 2023—the International Day of Light. |
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| Image Credit: Sebastian Rabien, Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics |
| A recent news release featuring work published in Applied Optics describes a new way to create high-quality mirrors that could enable larger, more sensitive telescopes to be placed in orbit. |
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| Image Credit: Raphael A. Guerrero, Ateneo de Manila University |
| Researchers have developed a new process to make environmentally friendly optical components from discarded crab shells. This new technique could help improve sustainability in optical manufacturing and reduce the amount of seafood waste that requires disposal. This work is featured in a news release from Applied Optics. |
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Members of the Display Technology Technical Group networking at FiO 2022.
Image Credit: Mekhi Pruitt, Optica |
| As an Optica member, you can join technical groups that unite you with colleagues in your areas of specialization. Our technical groups host various virtual and in-person activities to help you connect with fellow members. They also provide online communities and weekly webinars to help you stay current in your field. As we strive to develop programming and spaces that align with your interests, we recently added the Space Optics and Lighting Applications Technical Groups Please find out more about our newest groups and explore all of the 46 Technical Groups available. |
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| Image Credit: The Cartwheel Galaxy, captured by the JWST |
A recent article in the Optica member blog highlights two excellent plenaries from the annual Leadership Meeting in Washington, DC, 26-28 March.
Nobel Laureate and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Senior Project Scientist John Mather inspired the group with images and science coming back from JWST. Columbia University professor and New York Times columnist Zeynep Tufekci discussed how to navigate ethical issues in science and technology, particularly the exponentially important emergence of large language model artificial intelligence. |
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 Image Credit: Frank Chang |
| Fellow Profile |
| Optics and Photonics have new opportunities for professionals. Frank Chang encourages those pursuing a science career to stay humble, keep an open mind, and be motivated. |
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 Image Credit: Optica |
| Call for Nominations |
| Take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of your colleagues. Nominees that support diversity across all areas are especially encouraged. |
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 Image Credit: Getty Images |
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