As any laser professional or enthusiast knows that the scope of Photonics and Electro-Optics is constantly changing. Crossing over into other industries and bringing in a tide of innovation in their wake; the use of this technology is altering the way we practice medicine, enjoy entertainment, create parts and goods, and explore our world. Conferences like ICALEO® and others do their part to not only educate, but create a dialogue around innovation.
Companies and Researchers alike are accomplishing great things.
SPI Lasers recently developed fiber lasers that are able to produce high-quality welds between dissimilar metals. For those who use lasers for manufacturing, this is a particularly interesting development. Typically, dissimilar metals, such as copper and aluminum, pose a few challenges when a weld is attempted. The two metals react differently at different temperatures. So where one metal would begin to soften under heat, the other may become brittle and unusable. Fiber lasers reduce the heat input and area affected by heat. The laser developed by SPI Lasers, redENERGY 70 W EP-Z is able to create three spot welds in about one second. Fast? Effective? Innovative? This development from SPI Lasers can check all three off the list.
Worth noting: SPI Lasers will be in attendance at ICALEO® 2016, with a number of other key players innovating and disrupting photonics and electro-optics as we know it.
ICALEO® has established a reputation for being “the conference where researchers and end users meet to review the state-of-the-art in laser processing.”
One particularly interesting innovation coming out of the news recently is the idea of using inkjet printersto print “multi-layer graphene circuits” on laser-treated graphene paper. We’ve talked about inkjet printing, using lasers on Lasers Today in the past. The development is in the use of laser treating for graphene; printing tiny electronics was do-able, but researchers needed to find a way to improve conductivity and performance. Researchers at Iowa State University saw these challenges and implemented the use of a pulsed layer laser on the electrodes. In doing so, the future of printable electronics has a much brighter potential for mass-use!
While this is just a micro-glimpse into the current climate of photonics and electro-optics, it is strikingly clear that the fields are drastically shifting and evolving daily. Conferences like ICALEO® help foster the growth around these fields, increasing awareness, encouraging discussion, and emphasizing education for laser and photonics professionals. With just a handful of weeks before the 35th iteration of the conference, one can only imagine what developments and innovations could shake the foundations of what we know, between then and now.
Don’t delay! The 35th ICALEO® will take place October 16–20 in San Diego, CA. Registration spots are still available but are running out fast. Register here today. Already registered? Be sure to check out our “What to See and Do in San Diego” post, available on Lasers Today, for tips on what to check out when it town for ICALEO®.
The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide. Visit us at www.lia.org
