The Laser Institute of America LasersToday.com Weekly Wrap-Up aggregates industry news, conference updates, and LIA happenings. Here is the latest:

Industry News

Physicists have shattered the existing laser-electron interaction record! Beating the previously known efficiency of 10 percent, for most free-electron lasers, researchers were able to convert the energy of an electron beam into a pulse of coherent light, with an efficiency of 30 percent.

Learn more about this record-breaking accomplishment, and what it may mean for the future of high powered lasers here.

Following the development of a short-range, 2-kilowatt laser weapon, the Army may have laser equipped vehicles by 2017. Engadget reports that the device is designed to be mounted to the roof, and will be used to protect soldiers against missiles, mortars, and drones. Find the original article here.

Researchers are exploring new possibilities regarding the use of ultrafast lasers to etch microstructures into thin glass. The method will likely have applications in analytics, such as engraving information into a chip. Check out the surprising phenomenon that makes the etching process so intriguing here.

LIA News

Are you interested in learning more about the world of additive manufacturing? Be sure to check out our free slideshare The Cost of Manufacturing With Lasers and Without Them. The slideshare explores the advantages of additive manufacturing, types of 3D printing technology, characteristics of additive manufacturing, and more! Find it here.

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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. Find us at www.lia.org