Newtek

2015 is the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies, a global initiative declared by the UN late in 2013. The idea is to convey to society the importance of light and its associated technologies in fields such as energy, health, education and communication.

To mark this celebration, a wide range of activities have been organised all over Spain since the start of 2015, including conferences, congresses, seminars, industrial meet-ups, educational activities, etc. to bring the topic to the notice of audiences of all kinds.

In this context, the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) is cooperating with IK4-TEKNIKER to stage a seminar under the name “Photonics in Industry” at the Bizkaia Aretoa building in Bilbao on 2 December.

The seminar will feature three presentations by IK4-TEKNIKER on different technologies that work with the aid of light.

The first is “Nano-Photonic-Based Biosensors”, and its aim is to explain how the interaction of light with nanostructures built of various materials may be useful in detecting biomolecules that can provide information for diagnoses, prognosis and therapy associated with diseases. The nano-manufacturing technologies used will also be presented, along with the detection principle and the characteristics of the biosensor with molecules of clinical interest.

The second presentation is “Beam Shaping in the Laser Processing of Materials”. It reviews the beam shaping techniques most widely used in the laser processing of materials. Taking various case studies, it shows the importance of adapting beam propagation parameters to each specific process (cutting, welding, surface treatment, micro-structuring, etc.) to obtain the best results.

The third and final presentation is “Low-Cost Production-line Solutions for Spectroscopy and Fluorescence”. It looks at the design and manufacturing of very low-cost photonic solutions for inspecting and measuring physical and chemical parameters on the production line. A general method is described for assisting in turning laboratory-type tests into reliable products that can be manufactured and certified. A number of examples are given of applications involving the inspection of solids and liquids using spectrometry, colorimetry and fluorescence techniques.

The seminar will be closed by SECPhO (Southern European Cluster in Photonics & Optics), the cluster that brings together firms, technology centres and research groups in the field of optics and photonics.

Around 120 guests will attend the seminar from institutions, technology platforms, firms and universities.