Orlando, FL – September 28, 2017 – The Laser Institute of America (LIA) announces the technical program and conference highlights for the 36th annual International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO®). Industry visionaries, technical specialists, researchers, end users, and equipment manufacturers will convene at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, to explore advances in laser applications happening today in a wide variety of industries October 22-26.
“I am honored to have worked with the most innovative minds in laser applications to bring ICALEO’s program to life,” said congress general chair, Christoph Leyens, of TU Dresden and the Fraunhofer IWS in Dresden, Germany.
The opening plenary session explores medical and climate applications while giving a glimpse at new laser tools. The session will surely push the limits regarding traditional views of laser applications:
- Mark Schnitzer, an associate professor at Stanford University, and investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, works in neural circuit dynamics and optical imaging. His optical innovations are used to further neuroscience studies worldwide.
- University of Colorado department of physics professor, Dr. Henry C. Kapteyn, builds new tabletop “x-ray laser” light sources and helps develop corresponding applications.
- Jeff Deems is a researcher at CIRES, the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado where he also serves as the liaison for the NASA Airborne Snow Observatory. Deems specializes in laser mapping snow packs and developing lidar applications for avalanche forecasting and climate applications.
To close ICALEO, Dr. Leyens has invited plenary speakers from two groups that are spearheading adoption of additive manufacturing.
- The accelerated certification of additively manufactured metals initiative director at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is Dr. Wayne King. He will discuss how his team is leading the transition from conventional manufacturing methods to metal additive manufacturing.
- Florian Bechmann, head of Engineering & Technology (Concept Laser brand) at GE Aviation will explore technologies that advance manufacturing of jet engines and other airplane components using new tools such as additive manufacturing.
ICALEO has a strong emphasis on Laser Materials Processing and in recent years technical presentations have integrated additive manufacturing, often known as 3D Printing, with traditional subtractive technologies like cutting, drilling, and marking, as well as with welding, inspection and optical analysis. Sessions delving into the specifics of laser applications were organized by:
- Laser Materials Processing Conference Co-Chairs: Klaus Kleine, Coherent Inc. and Friedhelm Dorsch, TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH
- Laser Microprocessing Conference Co-Chairs: Michelle Stock, mlstock consulting and Cather Simpson, University of Auckland
- Nanomanufacturing Conference Chair: Yongfeng Lu, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Additionally, the conference offers a number of casual opportunities to meet new colleagues, connect with old friends, and share knowledge. From the opening music-filled Welcome Celebration, to the President’s Reception, and the Vendor Reception, ICALEO offers a wealth of fun networking events.
“ICALEO serves as a great platform for learning and networking,” said Gus Anibarro, LIA Education director. “You don’t get this kind of crowd anywhere else in the world. The attendees are made up of top-tier laser scientists and educators.”
The LIA Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon to be held on Wednesday, October 25, will be a highlight of the community. This year the prestigious Arthur L. Schawlow Award will be presented to Dr. Paul Seiler, former managing director of TRUMPF Laser GmbH. The recognition is in honor of his pioneering work utilizing lasers in machine tools for industrial applications. Dr. Seiler joins luminaries in the field of lasers including Milton Chang, Reinhart Poprawe, and Steven Chu, who were past recipients.
No conference in this day and age can be successful without sponsorships. IPG Photonics Corporation; EdgeWave GmbH; Innovative Laser Solutions; SPI Lasers; TRUMPF Inc.; Laserline Inc.; Light Conversion Ltd.; Lumentum; and Spectra-Physics, A Newport Company, have all demonstrated a commitment to furthering laser utilization in real-world applications by supporting ICALEO.
To register for ICALEO 2017, visit www.icaleo.org.
About LIA
The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. www.lia.org, 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Suite 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553.