FOCUS BUSINESS NEWS
A unique picture from this year’s 6.30am EPIC executive run in San Francisco. The run took place on the same day as a
super moon, a blue moon and a total lunar eclipse that could be seen in the city
Light-powered silicon chip technology funded $11 million to enable next-gen AI
MIT spin-off Lightmatter has received $11 million in series A funding to accelerate the development of a silicon chip that processes using light, rather than electricity, to enable a faster and more efficient form of artificial intelligence (AI) that promises orders of magnitude performance improvements over what is currently feasible. AI powers products ranging
from online advertising to intelligent personal assistants, using models that first have to be ‘trained’ with large datasets – a process that requires a lot of time and energy with existing computer processors. As AI algorithms continue to
develop, current technologies will struggle to keep up with increasing demand for computing power. Faster, more energy efficient computers are needed to power the next generation of AI, which is what Lightmatter intends to do with its new chip technology.
IN BRIEF
Prior Scientific Instruments, a Cambridge, UK, manufacturer of precision optical and mechanical instrumentation, has acquired Queensgate Instruments, a division of Elektron Technology. Queensgate is a supplier of high precision nano- positioning systems and sensors.
German firm SiOptica has secured €4 million growth financing for expanding its product portfolio of switchable optical privacy filters. The solutions are used in displays in markets such as ATMs and mobile devices such as laptops.
Sciencetech has appointed Photonic Solutions as its distributor in the UK and Ireland. Sciencetech designs and manufactures solar simulators and PV testing equipment together with monochromators, spectrographs and optical spectroscopy accessories.
Following the success of the eighth Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Science Show in Brussels, a group of PhD researchers from VUB's B-Phot (Brussels photonics team) have been invited by UNESCO to the first International Day of Light on 16 May in Paris, France.
8 Electro Optics March 2018 NEWS FROM EPIC By Carlos Lee, director general, EPIC
EPIC networking at Photonics West
P
hotonics West, like other major exhibitions such as Laser World of Photonics, sees the photonics
community gather, which offers numerous possibilities for networking: exhibition, conferences, side-events, and so on. The challenge is not to fill your schedule, but to evaluate the opportunities that will be most beneficial (and enjoyable). At EPIC, we try to make our events enjoyable, yet effective for business! We aim to make all EPIC events
memorable. My definition of memorable is that, if somebody reminded you of a particular event after three years, you’d still remember it. But at the same time, the event should initiate business opportunities, collaboration, or learning. We occasionally arrange one-on-one meetings, but this is not scalable – so, instead we provide platforms where EPIC members can interact with invited decision makers and industry experts. Often this takes the shape of events such as meetings and conferences, but at Photonics West, we focused solely on networking events. We organised a golf trip, a five-mile run, and a drinks reception with more than 100 participants. Industry feedback showed that members loved these events and would like to see more of the same. Since demand exceeds supply, we need to limit participation at our events, but will
arrange more networking opportunities to accommodate our members. Next year, in addition to what was held this year, a cycling tour from San Francisco Union Square to Tiburon, with a return by ferry, will be organised. With these fun events, one could wonder if EPIC is a serious professional industry organisation. However, most of the attendees hold CEO, CTO, president or managing director positions at renowned photonics companies. Last but not least, in keeping with EPIC’s
core values – technology and business – we also organised a breakfast for 70 executive- level participants. The event gathered companies participating in Europe’s effort
“We organised a golf trip, a five- mile run, and a drinks reception with more than 100 participants”
to introduce photonic products into large markets, such as telecommunications, medical and security. Pilot lines involved were MIRPHAB (mid infrared photonics devices fabrication for chemical sensing and spectroscopic applications), PIXAPP (the world’s first open-access photonic integrated circuit assembly and packaging pilot line), and PIX4life (high-performance photonic integrated circuit platforms for visible light applications targeting life-science applications).
@electrooptics |
www.electrooptics.com
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