{"id":558562,"date":"2023-05-11T15:00:48","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T19:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/?p=558562"},"modified":"2025-07-09T17:03:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T21:03:08","slug":"stellar-engine-project-nsf-regional-innovation-grant-558562","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/stellar-engine-project-nsf-regional-innovation-grant-558562\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal funding bolsters Rochester\u2019s development of next-generation lasers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The National Science Foundation grant will connect University, industry, and business partners to grow the region\u2019s laser workforce.<\/h2>\n

The National Science Foundation has awarded the 人妻少妇专区<\/a> a $1 million Regional Innovation Engines<\/a> Development Award grant to begin developing the next generation of lasers. Leading the effort will be Thomas Brown<\/a>, the director of the Institute of Optics, and Jonathan Zuegel<\/a>, a professor of optics and a distinguished scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This planning grant project, NSF Engines Development Award: Advancing laser technologies in the Rochester region (NY), will bring together a variety of institutional, industrial, and business partners to lay the groundwork for establishing an innovation and economic hub built around the Science, Technology and Engineering of Lasers and Laser Applications Research (STELLAR).<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to thank Senator Schumer for his leadership and vision for helping create this program to promote greater equity in the innovation economy and allow good ideas to develop and thrive wherever they may be found,\u201d says University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. \u201cI also want to thank him, Senator Gillibrand, and Representative Morelle for their incredible support for our efforts to build on our laser expertise to create and grow a diverse, workforce-focused laser ecosystem in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region that reinvigorates US global competitiveness, scientific leadership, and technological preeminence in a broad range of key applications like advanced manufacturing, energy, medicine, and national security, to just name a few.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRochester has a rich history of innovation and education when it comes to optics, photonics, and imaging technology, in large part because of the creative, academic, and research environment at the 人妻少妇专区, RIT, and MCC,\u201d says Brown. \u201cSTELLAR promises to continue this legacy by growing an advanced laser and optics ecosystem that will provide educational and economic opportunities for many future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis would revolutionize Rochester\u2019s tech workforce, creating new programs from technical education at our community colleges for manufacturing careers to helping train the next generation of our nation\u2019s top scientific minds, all while helping attract new employers and creating good paying jobs,\u201d says Schumer. \u201cI am proud to deliver this $1 million Phase One award, and I am laser focused on making Rochester the epicenter of cutting-edge innovation and building America\u2019s scientific future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Morelle, too, is optimistic about the region\u2019s technology future. \u201cMajority Leader Schumer and I have long said that Rochester\u2019s unique expertise and world-class academic institutions, like the 人妻少妇专区, put us in a strong position to lead the nation in high-tech innovation,\u201d he says. \u201cThis award is further proof of the extraordinary work our community is doing and the limitless potential Rochester holds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laser products are essential in a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, communications, inspection, environment sensing, defense, and security systems. But as Brown and Zuegel note, the manufacturing and packaging of lasers are increasingly being carried out overseas. At the same time, there\u2019s a shortage of skilled workers<\/a> in the optics and photonics industry, according to the International Society for Optics and Photonics.<\/p>\n

Given its roots in optics and laser technology, Brown and Zuegel believe the Rochester region is well-positioned to help teachers from middle-school through all levels of college develop curricula that will enable students to learn skilled trades in laser systems. As a result, they expect the STELLAR Engine project to help nurture and grow a diverse workforce in the field of laser technology.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the project is intended to create a manufacturing ecosystem for lasers. According to Brown and Zuegel, the region already has many of the key elements for such an ecosystem, including research and manufacturing components, laser components, packaging, science and engineering expertise, and related educational institutions.<\/p>\n

Finally, the STELLAR Engine project is designed to provide research and development support for growing companies, thanks to the involvement of researchers from regional universities and industry. The ultimate objective of STELLAR is to make the US competitive again globally in this critically important field. If the initial stages of the project are successful, Brown and Zuegel will be able to apply for additional federal funding.<\/p>\n

The NSF Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines, program was authorized in the CHIPS and Science Act thanks to the Biden Administration and strong bipartisan Congressional support led by US Senate Majority Leader Schumer, who sponsored the legislation, and US Representative Morelle, who has championed regional innovation for Rochester with his own legislation, the Innovation Centers Acceleration Act. NSF Engines are intended to stimulate innovation-driven economic growth and advance US competitiveness in key technology sectors with priorities given to geographic regions that do not have well-established innovation ecosystems but have strong potential for growth. Rochester has been cited as a possible next-generation innovation hub<\/a> by Jonathan Gruber, professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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