Fraunhofer partners with University of Strathclyde to create applied photonics center

May 30, 2012

Glasgow, Scotland--Fraunhofer Gesellschaft announced creation of the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics in a strategic collaboration with the University of Strathclyde. The new center will be aimed at laser research and technology for applications in the healthcare, security, energy, and transport industries.

Conard Holton

University of Stathclyde's Technology and Innovation Centre, home to the new Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics

Glasgow, Scotland--Fraunhofer Gesellschaft announced creation of the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics in a strategic collaboration with the University of Strathclyde. The new center, set to open in 2014, will be aimed at laser research and technology for applications in the healthcare, security, energy, and transport industries.

Fraunhofer is also setting up its UK headquarters--Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd.--at the university. It will be the umbrella organization for any future UK-based research centers. The Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics will start this year in labs and offices that Strathclyde is preparing specifically for Fraunhofer. In 2014, the Fraunhofer Centre will be moving into the University’s Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) building, which will be completed by then. Tim Holt, currently Chief Executive at the Institute of Photonics at the University of Strathclyde, will be heading up Fraunhofer UK Research.

Funding of about £9 million for the Centre comes from Fraunhofer, the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Enterprise, and the Scottish Funding Council. Scottish Education Secretary Michael Russell said: "Scottish universities are known around the world for their excellence and Glasgow has a global reputation for advanced research and technology. It's great news that this success has helped to attract Fraunhofer to Scotland.

Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University of Strathclyde said: "It is fitting that the UK’s first Fraunhofer Centre is dedicated to lasers, a thriving industry Scotland has excelled in for decades. The plans have already been endorsed by our partners in industry and we look forward to working together to innovate, design, and develop the products and services of tomorrow."

Fraunhofer has more than 20,000 employees in more than 80 research units in Germany and is establishing Centres throughout Europe, Asia, and North America--most recently at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

About the Author

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.