Weekly Lasers Wrap Up – Week of September 26, 2016

Bringing you up to speed with the latest in laser industry news, LIA updates, and relevant conferences, the Weekly Wrap Up aggregates everything you may have missed this week, in the world of lasers.

Conference News and Updates

The scope of Photonics and Electro-Optics is constantly changing. What does this mean for conferences like ICALEO®, that foster the idea of conversation and collaboration between researchers, companies, and end users? Check out a few key industry disruptors and innovators, some of which will be in attendance at ICALEO this year, here.

ICALEO® is less than a month away and registration spots are still open! ICALEO® will take place October 16–20, 2016, in San Diego, California. Find everything you need to know about this premiere conference here. Already planning to attend? Get all the info you need in regards to transportation in the San Diego area here.

LIA News

Intrigued by the idea of taking LSO training, but not sure if it’s right for you? Check out this intriguing infographic illustrating the 8 biggest benefits of taking your Laser Safety Officer Training online. Find it here.

LIA will host a Laser Safety Chat on Twitter, featuring LIA education director, Gus Anibarro. Taking place October 12 from 12–1 PM EST, Gus will answer all of your questions regarding laser safety under #AskGusLIA. Be sure to follow @laserinstitute on Twitter, so you don’t miss a single tweet!

Laser Industry News

MedGadget reports that the market for femtosecond lasers for cataract surgery will reach $2.4 Billion dollars until 2019. The growth is due, in part, to an aging population worldwide, in need of cataract surgery. Femtosecond lasers are used in a more automated, and often times more accurate surgical process, compared to cataract surgery of the past. Learn more about this exciting industry growth here.

Could lasers help us predict natural disasters? Researchers at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas are determined to find out. Using a much smaller version of the laser interferometer, similar to LIGO, the researchers are looking into the potential to detect geophysical disruptions. Check out their progress here.


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The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide. Visit us at www.lia.org

What Major Innovations in Photonics and Electro-Optics Mean for ICALEO®

As any laser professional or enthusiast knows that the scope of Photonics and Electro-Optics is constantly changing. Crossing over into other industries and bringing in a tide of innovation in their wake; the use of this technology is altering the way we practice medicine, enjoy entertainment, create parts and goods, and explore our world. Conferences like ICALEO® and others do their part to not only educate, but create a dialogue around innovation.

Companies and Researchers alike are accomplishing great things.

SPI Lasers recently developed fiber lasers that are able to produce high-quality welds between dissimilar metals. For those who use lasers for manufacturing, this is a particularly interesting development. Typically, dissimilar metals, such as copper and aluminum, pose a few challenges when a weld is attempted. The two metals react differently at different temperatures. So where one metal would begin to soften under heat, the other may become brittle and unusable. Fiber lasers reduce the heat input and area affected by heat. The laser developed by SPI Lasers, redENERGY 70 W EP-Z is able to create three spot welds in about one second. Fast? Effective? Innovative? This development from SPI Lasers can check all three off the list.

Photo Credit: SPI Lasers

Worth noting: SPI Lasers will be in attendance at ICALEO® 2016, with a number of other key players innovating and disrupting photonics and electro-optics as we know it.

ICALEO® has established a reputation for being “the conference where researchers and end users meet to review the state-of-the-art in laser processing.”

One particularly interesting innovation coming out of the news recently is the idea of using inkjet printersto print “multi-layer graphene circuits” on laser-treated graphene paper. We’ve talked about inkjet printing, using lasers on Lasers Today in the past. The development is in the use of laser treating for graphene; printing tiny electronics was do-able, but researchers needed to find a way to improve conductivity and performance. Researchers at Iowa State University saw these challenges and implemented the use of a pulsed layer laser on the electrodes. In doing so, the future of printable electronics has a much brighter potential for mass-use!

While this is just a micro-glimpse into the current climate of photonics and electro-optics, it is strikingly clear that the fields are drastically shifting and evolving daily. Conferences like ICALEO® help foster the growth around these fields, increasing awareness, encouraging discussion, and emphasizing education for laser and photonics professionals. With just a handful of weeks before the 35th iteration of the conference, one can only imagine what developments and innovations could shake the foundations of what we know, between then and now.


Don’t delay! The 35th ICALEO® will take place October 16–20 in San Diego, CA. Registration spots are still available but are running out fast. Register here today. Already registered? Be sure to check out our “What to See and Do in San Diego” post, available on Lasers Today, for tips on what to check out when it town for ICALEO®

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide. Visit us at www.lia.org

What to See and Do in San Diego at ICALEO® 2016

ICALEO® 2016 is right around the corner! In preparation for the event, we’ve compiled a quick guide of points of interest for laser professionals in San Diego, where the conference is held this year.

It’s time to discover the best in Electro-Optics & Photonics – and one of the most beautiful, engaging cities on the West Coast!


Find some time during your ICALEO 2016 trip to explore San Diego’s Harbor.

This year’s International Congress on Applications of Laser Electro-Optics and Photonics (ICALEO) takes place October 16–20, 2016 at the Sheraton® San Diego. ICALEO has established itself for over three decades as the conference where researchers and end-users meet to discuss recent advancements in laser applications and material processes. Bringing laser professionals from all over the world, ICALEO has a lot in store for attendees throughout the event. Click here for complete information, including Registration Opportunities and a Program Guide

When the sessions and seminars are over for the day, many ICALEO visitors may wish to explore the city and its culture. Who can blame them? With a gorgeous coastline, average October highs in the low 70s, and a rich history, there is plenty to see and do while in town for the conference.

Here’s how to explore like a pro after-hours at ICALEO San Diego:  

Museums of Interest

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is home to permanent and traveling exhibits focusing on “furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology.” Located in Balboa Park, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is also home to the world’s first IMAX dome theater. Featuring state of the art projection systems, the theater also hosts planetarium shows hosted by the San Diego Astronomy Association. The center also hosts bimonthly workshops on 3D printing technology with San Diego State University. While the museum typically caters to a younger crowd, there is something here for everyone.

Located right around the corner from the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Charting the history of flight from a 1700’s hot air balloon through the space age, the San Diego Air and Space Museum is a celebration of aviation and spaceflight advancements. Visitors can enjoy seeing both original and recreated air & spacecraft, as well as learn the history behind them. The museum is currently hosting the exhibition Da Vinci: The Ultimate Inventor. Showcasing the art, inventions, and machines developed by Leonardo Da Vinci with a focus on transportation, military, and mechanical designs, the exhibit is sure to enthrall any visitor.

Other Points of Interest

The  USS Midway Aircraft Carrier also serves as a museum featuring over 60 exhibits, including over 20 restored aircraft. The USS Midway was one of the US’s longest serving aircraft carriers, seeing over 200,000 sailors in its time. Self-guided tours are included with admission,as you make your way through the restored aircraft carrier, covering over 50 years of Navy history. USS Midway is home to multiple flight simulators and interactive exhibits, sure to entertain and educate. On average, guests spend over 3 hours on the carrier, so plan accordingly!

Activities by the Coast and Downtown

For those looking to take advantage of the warm weather and gorgeous coast, Pacific Beach is not too far away from Sheraton® San Diego. This beach town provides sun, surf, and sand by day and vibrant nightlife, after sunset. Catch waves early in the day and grab a drink at one of the many restaurants or bars, afterwards.

Registration for ICALEO®  is now open. With less than a month until the event, do not delay and miss your opportunity to learn, observe, and network at this premiere laser event. Information about the event can be found at https://www.lia.org/conferences/icaleo. Before attending, be sure to check out the top five things to see and do at ICALEO for 2016.

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The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide. Visit us at www.lia.org