DATE: November 26, 2007

CONTACT: Jeff Conley, (864) 325-4700
jcon@charter.net

WRITER: Editor: Susan Polowczuk, (864) 656-2063
susan.polowczuk@clemsonews.clemson.edu

Clemson project gets photonics research funding

A Clemson University researcher is among five whose proposals for seed funding aimed at commercializing photonics-based technologies were selected by the Carolinas Photonics Consortium (CPC).

Each winning proposal will receive $10,000, plus business and market development support from the Technology, Entrepreneurship and Commercialization initiative at North Carolina State University’s College of Management.

The winners were:

• Dr. Phil Brown of Clemson University for “Light Emissive Nanocomposite Fiber.” His project incorporates specific nanoparticles into unique fiber structures that could produce fibers with optical properties that have applications in textile authentication and security system products.
• Dr. Quincy Brown of Duke University for “Illuminus.” His proposal is to develop a non-invasive and quick optical spectroscopy of potentially cancerous breast tissue.
• Dr. Mark Johnson of North Carolina State University for “Integrated Cooling Device for High-Power Semiconductor Lasers.” The research aims to find ways to remove heat from semiconductors, which affects efficiency and cost of existing light-emitting devices used in numerous markets.
• Dr. Mike Fiddy of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for “Sub-Wavelength Optical Scalpel.” His novel optical designs could lead to smaller spot sizes for delivery of power for high-precision surgical or industrial needs.
• Dr. Pat Gardner of Western Carolina University for "Interferometric Imaging and Rapid Prototyping of Podiatric Arch Supports.” The proposal involves utilization of two optical technologies that could lead to customized orthopedic devices with improved fit and reduced turn-around time.

“The five winning programs are excellent examples of photonics-based technologies which will address immediate needs in widely varying markets,” said Jeff Conley, interim director of CPC. “The process of selecting the five winners was very difficult as we had 28 deserving proposals. We were fortunate to have an excellent advisory committee which represented all of the universities, a wide array of photonics-based technologies, local early-stage investments and regional interests.

"The CPC advisory committee will provide feedback to all proposal submitters as we want to continue to improve the process and encourage the submitters to resubmit proposal in the future,” he said.

END 

What is CPC?

Each of the five consortium members has nationally respected programs in photonics. North Carolina State University College of Engineering’s strengths are in photonic devices, optoelectonic and semiconductor materials and information technology. The Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has a core competence in microoptics and modeling of optical systems. Western Carolina’s Center for Rapid Product Realization provides prototyping, testing and design expertise for new product scale up. The Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics at Duke has research programs in biophotonics, nano and micro systems, nanophotonics, and quantum optics and information. Clemson’s Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET) is focused on the development of novel optical materials. More than $300 million has been invested from state and federal funds over the last five years, making CPC the largest concentration of photonics-based resources in the country.

Photonics-based technologies are used in a wide array of everyday products, including:  DVD players, long-distance communication, medical and dental surgeries, dashboard lighting, missile guidance and garage-door sensors. Photonic technologies are being used to complement or replace electronics in almost every facet of our lives. Recent advances include high-intensity lighting, biochemical detection, high-powered lasers for manufacturing needs and early cancer detection. One of the primary goals of the CPC is the commercialization of photonics-based research by awarding funds to competitively submitted proposals from the five campuses.