Yorkshire showcases its leading lights

Yorkshire’s business community is invited to take part in groundbreaking discussions surrounding the emerging trend in photonic technologies, the use of light to convey information, outside traditional applications such as telecommunications, on the 16th January 2007.

'Harnessing Light…the Futures Bright, the Future’s Photonics' will look at how an increasing number of key sectors in the region are making use of photonics in developing business products and processes that rely on the efficient processing of advanced materials, high precision manufacturing, and accurate measurement and monitoring.

Held at the University of Sheffield and open to those interested in the development of photonics – the advances being made and the use of these in benefiting businesses – the event aims to demonstrate how photonics will affect key regional industries such as medical, automotive, aerospace, defence and manufacturing.

Held by the Yorkshire Science and Technology Network the event will feature two leading experts based at two of Yorkshire's leading universities addressing those present and shedding light on the field which, as Margaret Hodge MBE MP predicts, is expected to be to the 21st century what electronics was to the 20th century.

Professor Animesh Jha, of Leeds University will introduce photonics, the generation and manipulation of light. He comments: "The generation and manipulation of light is a key technology for the future. If the 20th century was the century where the electronics age emerged, then this coming century will be seen as the photonics age."

Also speaking will be Dr Richard Hogg at the University of Sheffield. He adds: "Photonics is incredibly important to businesses across Yorkshire and Humber and we intend to explain why. Businesses should be interested as to how and why photonic technologies can benefit their processes and as a result their bottom line. We have leading academics within leading institutions here in Yorkshire and Humber, ready to collaborate with businesses and build on the success the industry has gained so far".

Jim Farmery, Head of Innovation at Yorkshire Forward comments: "Photonics typically represents between 5% and 20% of the cost of a product in business. As a £20 billion market in the UK today this is one of the most promising and exciting technology fields currently being developed.

“We need to expand on the use of photonics from traditional applications such as data transmission and consumer equipment and make this work for our businesses and our economy going forward."

The Yorkshire Science and Technology Network initiative is funded by Yorkshire Forward and aim's to offer insight into emerging research activities within Yorkshire and Humber's world-class universities, helping regional businesses determine the potential for commercial exploitation.

Event: 'Harnessing Light…the Futures bright, the Futures Photonics'
Date: Wednesday 16th January 2007
Venue: Firth Hall, University of Sheffield
Time: 18.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs

For further information or to attend the event, contact: Leona Thompson, Press Officer. Tel: 0113 3949589. Email: leona.thompson@yorkshire-forward.com

Yorkshire showcases its leading lights

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