CARDIFF, Wales, UK -- Laser welding for lighter-weight cars, green laser applications that reduce carbon footprint, energy-saving LED lighting, and other sustainability-enabling technologies are on the programme for SPIE Eco-Photonics in Strasbourg 28-30 March.
The first-ever technical congress on green photonics will include four conferences focusing on photonics for clean energy generation, energy-efficient lighting, pollution control, ecologically friendly manufacturing processes, and environmental monitoring. It will be held at the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès.
SPIE Eco-Photonics is happening in the midst of new urging for investment in energy efficiency and green technologies on the part of the European Commission, and new industry initiatives to create innovative solutions.
The EC on 8 March adopted a Roadmap for transforming the European Union into a competitive low carbon economy by 2050. The Roadmap describes the cost-effective pathway to reach the EU's objective of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% of 1990 levels by 2050.
Last week, BMW and Peugeot announced they will invest 100 million EUR in a new intended joint venture on hybrid technology named "BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification." The new company will operate out of two locations -- the greater Munich area, Germany, and Mulhouse, France. Four hundred employees are expected to work for the joint venture by the end of 2011.
Plenary speakers are:
Berit Wessler (OSRAM) and Stephen Pompea (U.S. National Optical Astronomy Observatory) will give keynote presentations.
Conferences topics and chairs are:
Patrick Meyrueis and Dan Curticapean are Symposium Chairs.
The Club Laser et Procédés, an association for the development and promotion of industrial applications of lasers, is a Cooperating Organisation of SPIE Eco-Photonics. Sponsors are Ville et Communauté de Strasbourg, Région Alsace, and Horiba Jobin Yvon.
Networking opportunities include a welcome reception and poster session.
Programme and registration information are on the conference website: www.SPIE.org/x40080.xml.
Accepted papers will be published in the SPIE Digital Library as soon as approved after the meeting, and in print volumes and digital collections.
Photonics, recognized as one of five "Key Enabling Technologies" by the EC, plays a leading role in the development of the green economy, with success in providing energy and energy reduction technologies. Examples are in solar energy systems, LED lighting, and optical communications.
Lasers, photonic processes, and sensors facilitate cleaner manufacturing through monitoring and control systems to reduce waste and environmentally harmful emissions using economically viable solutions.
The new event supports SPIE's recent launch of the new Journal of Photonics for Energy, a new peer-reviewed online publication on photonics and optics research in and development of sustainable energy sources, energy-efficient technologies, and environmental sensing and other applications for the environment.
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 180,000 constituents from 168 countries, the Society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific, and supports scholarships, grants and other education programs around the world.
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