Nanotech, solar and lighting researchers reveal technical innovations at SPIE Optics & Photonics Conference: Attendees will glimpse the future with content and connections that drive commercialization

This is the world's leading meeting for technologists to present and discuss the latest breakthroughs in optical engineering, solar energy, nanotechnology, and energy-efficient lighting technology.

Located at the San Diego Convention Center from August 13 to 17, Optics & Photonics includes over 2700 technology presentations, highlighted by numerous plenary and keynote sessions, 70 educational courses, and free Industry Perspectives program and a free exhibition featuring 270 companies with the latest lasers, lenses, detection and measurement devices, image capture systems and software for optical design and image processing. This is one of the largest R&D meetings in the world in this field, covering topics such as:

-- Nanophotonics
-- Optics and Optomechanics
-- Organic Materials
-- Metrology
-- Detectors and Imaging Devices
-- Optical Instrumentation
-- Illumination Engineering and Solid State Lighting (SSL)
-- Solar and Hydrogen Energy

The opening plenary talk on Aug. 13, "Nanotechnology: Managing Potential Risks in a Climate of Uncertainty," is being delivered by Kristen M. Kulinowski, Executive Director for Public Policy of the Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) and Faculty at Rice University. Nearly 500 nanotech-related presentations will occur at SPIE Optics & Photonics, making it one of the largest gatherings of nano-researchers anywhere in the world.

Also the evening of Sunday, Aug. 13, Bill Werner of Texas Instruments will present "Digital Cinema: Past, Present, and Future." TI's Digital Light Projection technology is making possible a revolution in the movie business, helping turn the dream of digital cinema into a reality using an optical semiconductor to manipulate light digitally.

Solar energy is a big topic at Optics & Photonics, including a plenary session Aug. 14 during which renowned researcher Loucus Tsakalakos, GE Global Research, will present breakthroughs using nanotechnology to improve photovoltaic conversion of sunlight to power. Raed Sherif, Spectrolab, will discuss world-record advances in solar cell efficiency. John A. Turner, US National Renewable Energy Lab, will describe a sustainable hydrogen economy, and Akira Fujishima, of Japan's Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology, will address breakthrough chemical conversions of Solar Energy and Photocatalysis, which will help cut the cost of solar power.

The Solid State Lighting Plenary Session, on August 14, "More Light for a Brighter Future: GaN," will be presented by Volker Härle, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH. Härle will discuss breakthroughs that boost performance levels and economic viability of next-generation lighting, with greater efficiency, control and lifespan than ever possible before. According to data from Strategies Unlimited, the high-brightness LED market will exceed $4 billion in 2006.

"SPIE Optics & Photonics is a must-attend event for technical professionals who scan the horizon of optical engineering, nanotechnology, solid state lighting and solar energy," said Janice Walker, director of events at SPIE. "This year we have added a free series of industry-related seminars to focus on market opportunities and business strategy. The public is invited to these sessions and the free exhibition, which features new products from over 270 companies."

The free Industry Perspectives program takes place August 15 and 16, with top executives and analysts sharing market research, forecasts and strategic insight. The opening session on the commercialization of solar energy is moderated by Steve Eglash, principal, Worldview Technology Partners, joined by top executives from Shell Solar Industries, SunPower, SolFocus, Konarka and Ion Beam Optics. Top analysts from Strategies Unlimited and iSuppli will discuss trends and opportunities in LEDs and solid state lighting. Patti Glaza of SmallTimes magazine, will provide a nanotechnology market assessment. Collaboration and commercialization is the theme of a presentation by J. Susan Sprake of the Federal Laboratory Consortium.

The Optics & Photonics exhibition runs August 15 through August 17, starting at 10:00 am daily, with a career fair August 15 and 16, all at the San Diego Convention Center.

About SPIE
SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering is a not-for-profit professional society that has become the largest international force for the exchange, collection and dissemination of knowledge in optics, photonics and imaging. Founded in 1955, SPIE organizes technical conferences around the world and publishes journals, books and proceedings, with over 225,000 technical papers available for download via the SPIE Digital Library. See http://spie.org for details.