Princeton U. Will Lead Consortium To Advance Research In Emerging Photonics Field

PRINCETON, NJ – Princeton University will be leading a consortium to research advancements in the field of photonics – a branch of science that includes laser, optical fiber and light-based innovation.

The University will lead the development-stage collaboration along with NJ-based Rowan University, with partners throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York.

The group has received a development grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation's Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program.

Princeton University will be collaborating with other public universities and community colleges to help in the research. Joining them in this endeavor will be state agencies and leading photonics companies.

Photonics, which involves the control of light for use in technologies, has applications in healthcare, clean energy, computing, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, and more.

Its potential uses include improving cancer detection, food safety, smartphones, computing and self-driving cars.

“Photonics is one of the unseen gems of the New Jersey economy, providing thousands of good-paying jobs and leading global innovation,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.

“Congratulations to Princeton University, Rowan University, and the many other New Jersey institutions of higher education, companies, and state agencies that are joining forces on this effort to affirm our state’s longstanding role as a leader in innovation.”

The Advancing Photonics Technologies collaboration is among more than 40 teams across the country selected to receive one of the first-ever NSF Engines Development Awards, which provide up to two years of funding toward the planning of a multistate initiative to create economic, societal and technological opportunities for their regions.

The award will enable the team to prepare strong proposals for becoming future NSF Engines. They will have the opportunity to receive up to $160 million to implement their plans.

“This initiative unites colleges and universities, startups, and established companies across our region to catalyze research, develop new technologies, create jobs and strengthen the economy,” Princeton University President, Christopher Eisgruber said in a statement.

“Princeton is proud to be part of this National Science Foundation program, which is helping to grow scientific research and technological innovation in every part of our nation.”

The collaboration will be led by principal investigator Craig B Arnold, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Princeton’s Vice Dean for Innovation.

Arnold’s research expertise includes pans materials synthesis and processing in areas including advanced manufacturing, energy storage and conversion, and optics and photonics. he holds 13 granted patents, and is the co-founder of two companies.

The co-principal investigator is Robert V Chimenti, visiting assistant professor and photonics coordinator at Rowan University. Chimenti is an experienced industry expert and his research focuses on new laser and spectroscopy applications, with an eye toward developing novel instrumentation for commercialization.

Here are the partners in the collaboration

Universities, Colleges

• Princeton University – lead institution
• Rowan University – co-lead institution
• Delaware State University
• Lehigh University
• New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Penn State
• Rowan College of South Jersey
• Rutgers University-Newark
• Rutgers University-New Brunswick
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Sussex County Community College
• University of Delaware

Companies

• Edmund Optics
• Go!Foton
• Hamamatsu
• Hellma USA
• Horiba Scientific
• Kearfott Corporation
• Metrohm Spectro
• Nokia Bell Labs
• Nubis Communications
• OFS
• Thorlabs

State Agencies

• New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology
• New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools
• New Jersey Economic Development Authority
• New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program

Entrepreneurial incubators and accelerators

• Material Impact
• Princeton Innovation Center BioLabs
• SOSV, HAX Accelerator
• VentureWell

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