ALPHA-RLH, le pôle français des ondes de l'innovation’s Post

Over a year ago, Kate McGeoch and I sat down to answer a question: How could we create a pipeline of academic research projects that generate real value for society? Over the past week, I had the privilege of seeing our solution to this question take flight, the Better Futures Innovation Challenge (https://lnkd.in/g9iQ9mVD) - a unique science-meets-industry hackathon that has resulted in three interdisciplinary teams of researchers with industry-validated ideas: 🐜#AntEHot: Bio-inspired passive cooling coatings for shipping containers to reduce refrigeration energy and costs. ⛑️#AidMate: Accelerating logistics in disaster situations. ⚛️#QuantumEarthquakeDetector (QED): An inexpensive, robust, sensitive seismometer utilising quantum tunnelling. Today is the day where I finally realised that we have achieved our aim, after I met with some of the teams to discuss their next steps - I was blown away by how enthusiastic and motivated they are. It was the final proof I needed to understand that this event has sparked genuine #innovation, and was one of the most rewarding moments of my career to date. Getting to this point has been an incredible journey. Organising a first-of-a-kind event, involving over 20 industry experts and innovation mentors and 35 of the most entrepreneurial PhDs and postdocs from 5 ARC Centres of Excellence? Wildly more difficult than I anticipated. That’s a good thing, otherwise I would never have started. A huge thanks to all the Better Futures team but especially Kate McGeoch and Myles Tehan for the constant drive and optimism which kept me going when it looked like it wouldn’t work out. And also to our incredible industry partners DuluxGroup and Pentalym, as well as UNSW Founders and Cruxes Innovation, for understanding the vision of this event and providing ongoing mentoring and support for the teams. And last but not least - a huge thanks to the Centres of Excellence who funded and helped organise this event: ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS) ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav) FLEET: the ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies

SEASON’S GREETING & HAPPY NEW YEAR Another exciting year has come to an end – between years we've turned down our machines and applications to unwind and take time to reflect on months full of research, innovation, and motivation. We start afresh in 2024 in spirit of science for the public welfare – but first we’d like to take a moment to appreciate several of our and our partners accomplishments in 2023 as examples of our vast research: In order to better understand our beloved planet and improve our future, researchers at Fraunhofer IOF and our partners have contributed crucial innovations in the area of equipment for research missions in space like a spectrometer with a new type of diamond structure, the first "deep space laser altimeter”*, or the LisR satellite technology. New surface structures and processing methods open up new ways to produce optical systems more functionally, cost-effectively, and efficiently. Just to name a few of our projects: SWAP-IT production architecture, a new optical coating system that prevents fogging and unwanted reflections, or Meta-surfaces with the measuring of almost 30 centimetres. Another topic that will occupy our society for decades to come is the security of transferring and securing communication and data. In projects such as QUDICE, QuNET and HyperSpace, our researchers and our partners are developing innovations in quantum communication, quantum computing and quantum security together with our partners from research and industry. Last but not least we enjoy our privilege to host and participate in numerous events and fairs. Sometimes it is with the goal to keep in touch with the new generation of scientists in the field of photonics and sometimes it is to connect with the public. So maybe one or the other of you met our colleagues at MINT-Festival, Wissenschaftscampus, Forsche-Schüler-Tag, Photonics Days, or at one of the Science or Recruiting Fairs worldwide. Finally our researchers and all the Fraunhofer IOF strive to excel in science for the benefit of our society. In this spirit we’d like to wish each and every one a very happy New Year! May you all stay in good health and all your endeavors succeed! *The overall system is the responsibility of the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V., which commissioned HENSOLDT with the development of the transmitter and transceiver unit and the procurement of the receiver telescope and its integration into the transceiver unit.

🪐Competition! Turn your idea into a real innovative project or company! 🪐 The eighth edition of the competition organized by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) called INNOspace Masters 2024 is underway. 🚀Main topics include: space, intelligent innovations, technology transfer. 🚀The competition is open to companies, start-ups, research institutions, universities, and individuals! 🚀The prizes include funding or individual support to turn your idea into a real innovative project or company: • support from research and market specialists, • the opportunity to introduce innovations together with world market leaders, • access to top-notch networks in Germany and Europe, • €2.3 million in funding (DLR, ESA), • access to potential funding sources • the opportunity to shape the future of space in Europe. 📅Deadline: April 23, 2024. All interested parties can submit their ideas via: https://lnkd.in/dweKZ_m ⬇️More information can be found in the graphic and on the website⬇️

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to participate at the first European meeting on #InfraRed #Nanospectro-#Imaging that was held at Paris-Saclay University, in Orsay. The conference was preceded by Bruker's EFNS Tech Day, a workshop that showcased the latest advances on photothermal #AFM-#IR technology with applications in various fields, including #heritagescience. Both events offered great presentations that broadened my perspective and reinvigorated my passion for what I do. I was truly impressed by the research outcomes, and I look forward to seeing new results coming from this emerging field. During these events, I’ve noticed several #opencalls for access to state-of-the-art research infrastructures that I would like to highlight, as I believe might be of interest to other colleagues: ➡ #MUSIICS - a dedicated multiscale infrared imaging platform within Paris-Saclay University for complex materials studies using photothermal techniques, with 25% of the time reserved for archeo-materials. 📩 Selection based on an application. 📬https://lnkd.in/du-4rDw7 ➡ #ELETTRA - a multidisciplinary research center in Trieste (Italy) specialized in generating high-quality synchrotron and free-electron laser light. 📩 Deadline for proposal submissions: mid-March/mid-September. 📬https://lnkd.in/dFg5E9ex ➡ #CERIC - a European Research Infrastructure Consortium currently accepting multi-technique proposals. 📩 Deadline for proposal submissions: beginning of April/October. 📬 https://lnkd.in/dZwgxURf ➡ #SOLARIS - a Polish National Synchrotron Research Centre that offers access to a multidisciplinary research infrastructure. 📩 Deadline for proposal submissions: beginning of April/October. 📬https://lnkd.in/dBNPeqFt

🌍 Reflections from the International SPADs Workshop in Trento 🌍 I recently had the opportunity to attend the International SPADs Workshop, hosted by Fondazione Bruno Kessler - FBK in the beautiful city of Trento: an extraordinary meeting that brought together some of the brightest and most pioneering minds in the field of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). While most of the presentations focused on the innovation and utility of SPADs, my contribution took a slightly different angle: radiation damage. Interestingly, while most participants were discussing how to build better SPADs, I was the only one explaining how to destroy them! Jokes aside, radiation damage on SPADs is a critical area of research that highlights the resilience and limitations of these devices, especially in aerospace applications. Beyond the technical discussions, what emerged most was the human connection that allowed a valuable exchange of ideas with brilliant researchers. Thanks to all who made this event so special. It was not just a professional meeting, but a reminder of the power of the collaborative spirit and shared passion for the advancement of science. We look forward to the next meeting and more enlightening conversations! #issw2024 #fbk #radiationdamage #SPADs #SiPMs

What a cohort!!! Looking forward to this panel discussion!

For those who want to read the last newsletter of Photonics Finland before taking their Summer break, you can find it below and the link in the comments. Have a great break! 🌞 PIMAP4Sustainability #PhotonQBoost #OPD2024

Why I enjoy attending #SPIERemoteSensing:   -         It is admittedly one of the smaller SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics symposia. And precisely because of this I like it so much. One doesn’t have to run between hundreds of rooms where various conferences take place. For me it suffices to have a choice between 2-3 concurrently running sessions to decide which presentation I want to see.   -         The almost family-like atmosphere of the symposium: It is a well-established meeting with a long history. This means that some experienced scientists and engineers attend it every year. At the same time, because of the long history of #SPIERemoteSensing these senior attendees have a sense of commitment and duty to this meeting and welcome each new, young participant with open arms. There is a sense of belonging which is transferred from generation to generation.   -         SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics goes out of its way to make it the best organized and the most pleasant meeting to attend. The chairs of the meetings are being made feel appreciated for their (voluntary) efforts towards the success of individual conferences. Everything runs super smooth and participants can focus on science, on networking, and on enjoying the social events. Please join us and present your latest work on light propagation through the atmosphere and other random media in RS105 “Environmental Effects on Light Propagation and Adaptive Systems VII”. Abstract deadline is 3 April 2024: https://lnkd.in/ew3UxmVF Fraunhofer IOSB Christian Eisele Italo Toselli Lex Van Eijk Andrew Lambert Andrew Reeves Ivo Buske Dario Gabriel Perez Gael Kermarrec Pietro Paglierani Florian Moll Andreas Muschinski #science #conference #research #atmosphere #optics #FSOC #adaptiveoptics

🚀🚀🚀 #SC23 SC Conference Series #Adastra : near 30 Grands Challenges towards more #sustainablescience and already a first upgrade. While Adastra, the latest GENCI’s supercomputer hosted and operated by CINES in Montpellier is now at full speed, aiming to accelerate the convergence between #HPC and #AI workloads in many domains (including climate research, astrophysics, material sciences and chemistry, new energies including fusion or biology and health applications), GENCI, CINES are announcing a first upgrade using the highly innovative AMD Instinct™ MI300A Accelerated Processing Unit (APU). Adastra is among the most powerful supercomputers in Europe and the most energy efficient system in production (ranked #3 on the last edition of the #Green500). To find out more and read the full press release 👇 https://lnkd.in/g8k3MdYm Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche Laurent CROUZET Arnauld Leservot Philippe LAVOCAT Michel Robert Stephane Requena Raphael Godoffe Gabriel Hautreux Eric Boyer christelle Piechurski Benjamin Lesueur Anaïs Rambier Nicolas Belot Hewlett Packard Enterprise AMD CERFACS CNRS - Centre national de la recherche scientifique ISTerre - Institut des Sciences de la Terre Université Grenoble Alpes Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées

🌖A little piece of Moon in #Luxembourg   Did you know that Luxembourg is hosting several #spaceresearch infrastructures including the LunaLab at the University of Luxembourg? 🚀Luxembourg's thriving #space ecosystem has become a hotspot for innovation and #research.   🛰️Join us in exploring the groundbreaking work of Dr Carol Martinez, Mechatronics Engineer, and Prof. Miguel A. Olivares-Mendez, who heads the Space Robotics group at the SnT, Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust   🎙️Listen to the new SciLux episode to delve into the latest advancements in space #robotics research: https://lnkd.in/eEicMF2q 🗓️Introducing iSparo The International Conference on Space Robotics (iSpaRo) is on the horizon, offering a platform for scientists and industry experts to engage in discussions on emerging topics in Space Robotics, aiming to establish a robust network, fostering collaborations and innovations. 📍Save the Date: 24-27 June in Luxembourg   Learn more➡️ https://lnkd.in/e8_thn82   #ResearchLuxembourg Luxembourg Space Agency European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) SpaceResources.lu Initiative SpaceR RTLToday Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine - University of Luxembourg Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)