UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 5
October 3, 1996
Photonics technologies subject of conference

     By marrying the power of light with negatively charged bits
of matter known as electrons, massive supercomputers may someday
be transformed into laptop-sized devices, according to business
leaders and researchers planning an Oct. 9-10 conference at the
University.
     New technologies based on photonics-the interaction of
photons associated with light and electrons in materials-also
show promise in more efficient photovoltaic or solar cells,
faster telecommunications systems, high-speed lasers for medical
and industrial applications and ultra-sensitive environmental
detectors, explained Karl Wolfgang Boer, Distinguished Professor
Emeritus of Physics and Solar Energy.
     During the Photonics Delaware 2000 conference, state
officials and researchers representing global corporations will
compare notes with scientists working in two of the world's
leading photonics research centers: the Institute of Energy
Conversion (IEC) at the University of Delaware and the Science
and Technology Center in Berlin, Germany. The IEC, established
nearly 25 years ago, is one of only two Department of Energy
Centers for Excellence in Photovoltaic Research and Education.
The Science and Technology Center in Berlin, known by the German
acryonym WISTA (for Wissenschafts- und Wirtschafts-Standort
Berlin-Adlershof), is home to some 200 technology-oriented
enterprises and 14 renowned research institutes, near three top-
ranking universities.
     "Photonic materials are on the absolute cutting edge of new
technologies," said University President David P. Roselle. "This
upcoming conference is a major scientific event. We're expecting
dozens of distinguished scientists and top executives from global
corporations. Hosting this event is quite an honor for the
University and for the state of Delaware."
     New computing, telecommunications, photovoltaic, medical and
environmental uses for photonic technologies will be discussed by
conference participants. Researchers from W.L. Gore & Associates,
for example, are expected to describe efforts to design photonic-
based laser devices for high-speed telecommunications and
computing. The highly respected Heinrich-Hertz and Max Born
Institutes of Berlin will also present the results of their most
recent efforts in this field. Bioengineering and environmental
research-and-development efforts at the DuPont Co., Hercules,
Zeneca and Rollins Environmental Services, as well as new
analytical tools under development at the Hewlett-Packard Co.,
are also slated for discussion.
     The Photonics Delaware 2000 conference will take place from
8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 9-10, at
Clayton Hall.
     The conference is free, but lunch will cost $10 per day, and
pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
     For more information, contact Paula Newton, event
coordinator, at 831-6221. You can also send e-mail to her at
Paula.Newton@mvs.udel.edu. To preregister, send a fax to Robert
Birkmire at 831-6226, or send him e-mail at RWB@udel.edu.
     Conference sponsors include: the state of Delaware's
Economic Development Office, AstroPower, the DuPont Co., W.L.
Gore & Associates, Rollins Environmental Services and Boer
Associates.
                                               -Ginger Pinholster