This week, we took a look at some of the current trends in manufacturing technology. Learn about pop culture’s surprising influence on the rise of 3D printing, other lesser known forms of additive manufacturing, as well as the factors that determine the “hottest” trends in manufacturing technologies, as told by the Advanced Manufacturing Workshop in What’s Hot in Manufacturing Technology found by clicking here.

From proposing a theory in 1947, to Nobel Prize winner in 1971, the influence of Dennis Gabor and hologram theory is still as relevant today, as it was back then. Find out how laser applications made Gabor’s theory a reality, and where the future of holographic technology is headed by clicking here.

As challenges and restrictions create a greater push for smaller, safer, and more affordable space research, numerous theories have presented themselves in recent years. We took a look at one, known as the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative, in which a high powered laser is used to send numerous small “chips” not just into space, but into a whole other star system. Discover the many challenges faced by this project and others clicking here.

In this week’s Throwback Thursday, we reflected on the development of the handheld laser pointer, and its rampant popularity in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Take a look at how the devices are manufactured and powered, as well as a history of the problems and challenges poised by the device’s accessibility. Read more about this important piece of laser history by clicking here

LIA was in attendance at this year’s American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exhibition (AIHce) in Baltimore, MD. The conference took place May 21–26. Check LIA’s Facebook page for posts from the event by clicking here.

Looking for ways to boost your credibility as a Laser Safety Officer? Online training may be the solution you are looking for. Online LSO training through LIA helps familiarize laser safety officers with up-to-date ANSI standards. The courses give ample information that can be shared with peers and colleagues which, in turn, can assist with the development of a better laser safety program. Find out more by clicking here.

Are you in the medical industry? Are you seeking new ways to supplement your laser safety education? Take a look at our post An Overview of Medical Laser Safety Courses to see what laser safety courses are right for you. LIA offers courses for Medical Laser Safety Officers, which are designed for nurses, operating room supervisors, and other medical professionals who deal directly with lasers as part of their practice. Our Medical Laser Safety Awareness course is designed for medical professionals who may not necessarily operate laser devices, but want to increase their safety knowledge while in the presence of such technology.
Learn more about these courses by clicking here.

To sign up for laser safety courses, be sure to check out our current schedule of available training courses found by clicking here.