Latest optics and photonics technologies front and center at SPIE Photonics West 2017

From January 28 to February 2, North America’s leading optics and photonics conference and exhibition, SPIE Photonics West, returns to The Moscone Center in San Francisco, where it will bring together presenters, exhibitors, and attendees to discuss and learn about the latest products,market insights, and technical presentations on the industry.

More than 20,000 some-odd people are expected to attend the industry-focused program, which will include more than 4,800 technical presentations, two major international exhibitions (BiOS Expo and Photonics West Exhibition), an expanded industry program, professional development courses, and other activities. Attendees can expect to hear the latest research and the latest devices and systems driving technology markets including medical technologies, the Internet of Things, smart manufacturing, scientific research, communications, displays, and other solutions powered by photonics, according to SPIE.

During the first weekend, the Biomedical Optics Symposium (BiOS) will take place, with conference sessions beginning at 8 AM on January 28 and the exhibit hall opening at 10 AM. The exhibits will continue through Sunday at 5 PM, while the conferences run through the week. Conference topics include biomedical optics, diagnostics and therapeutics, biophotonics, new imaging modalities, optical coherence tomography, neurophotonics, optogenetics, tissue optics, and nano/biophotonics.

Additionally, the BiOS Expo, which runs January 28-29, will feature more than 200 companies showcasing their biomedical optics products, systems, and software. Featured technologies will include biomedical optics, lasers, molecular imaging, therapeutic lasers, nano/biophotonics, biosensors, spectroscop/microscopic imaging.

The Photonics West exhibition then runs January 31-February 2 and will feature more than 1,340 companies, many of which will debut new products on the show floor. Companies will showcase the latest in optoelectronic companies, laser systems, and numerous devices and technologies for photonics manufacturing and research.

Vision-related technologies that are expected to be prominently featured and discussed at the event, according to SPIE, are as follows:

• Cameras and CCD components
• Electronic imaging components
• Laser systems and accessories
• Fiber optic components, equipment, systems
• High-speed imaging and sensing
• Optical components, detectors, materials, substrates, and coatings
• Lenses and filters
• Infrared sources and detectors
• Metrology
• Communication technology
• Positions and mounts

SPIE’s new expanded program will touch on a number of hot topic areas, which are expected to include wearable and wireless devices, the global economy, optical challenges for virtual and augmented reality, solid state lighting, miniature/low-cost photonics components, and optics and photonics startup challenges and successes, which SPIE has also addressed this year in its new Fast Pitch Lunch on January 31, which provides seasoned entrepreneurs an opportunity to introduce their business pitches to investors. After the presentation of 90-second pitches, lunch will be served, offering time for one-on-one conversations.

"With the new Photonics Fast Pitch Lunch, we've filled the gap between young, pre-revenue firms supported by the SPIE Startup Challenge and the best-new-product categories recognized by the Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation," said Peter Hallett, Director of Marketing and Industry Relations at SPIE. "

The SPIE Startup Challenge, which is held annually at Photonics West, is a competitive event that invites new entrepreneurs to pitch their light-based technology business plan to a team of corporate development experts and venture capitalists. The best pitches receive cash prizes ($10,000 for first prize, $5,000 for second place, $2,500 for third place. First place also receives $5,000 worth of products from Edmund Optics) and attend a week-long entrepreneur boot camp to refine their ideas and make further contacts with experts. With 22 semi-finalists remaining, two from each of the following tracks will have the opportunity to pitch their business on February 1:

• Track 1: Biophotonics, point of care
• Track 2: Imaging, displays, lasers, semiconductors
• Track 3: Sensors, wearables, Internet of Things

New products in optics and photonics will be honored at the 2017 Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation. Awards are presented as a gala banquet and are offered given out for the following categories: Additive manufacturing – 3D printing, biomedical instrumentation, detectors and sensors, imaging and cameras, industrial lasers, materials and coating, metrology, optics and optical components, and scientific lasers.

Also taking place during SPIE Photonics West is the Laser & Photonics Marketplace Seminar Conference, which is intended for business leaders and key players at photonics manufacturers and their suppliers as well as anyone with a stake in the business of photonics, such as technology analysts and investors. Learn more about this event here.

View an in-depth preview from Laser Focus World.
View more information on the event.
View a press release on the event.

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