Detectors & Imaging

Wearable technology is booming, powered by photonics

July 6, 2016

Photonics is an important component in wearable devices, especially for flexible displays and wearable biosensors.

Wearable sensors make up one of the fastest-growing technology markets. According to market research firm International Data Corporation, total global shipment volumes of wearables reached 19.7 million units in 1Q16, an increase of 67.2 percent from the 11.8 million units shipped in 1Q15. Wearable devices are rapidly advancing in terms of technology, functionality and size, with more real-time applications, especially for health monitoring.

Photonics is an important component in these devices, especially for flexible displays and wearable biosensors. Considerable research interest is developing around wearable optical devices. For example, flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are now being integrated into flexible or textile-based displays. Read the full story on the SPIE website.

The Laser Focus World take:

Photonics is becoming more wearable, as the article from SPIE describes. Two articles from Laser Focus World show other ways inwhich photonics is getting personal:

Wearable Photonics: Smart photonic textiles begin to weave their magic, by scientists at Philips Research

Head-worn displays: Useful tool or niche novelty? by senior editor Gail Overton

Conard Holton
Editor in Chief
Laser Focus World

Conard Holton | Editor at Large

Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.