Tag Archives: LIA

LIA Presents Professor Reinhart Poprawe with Peter M. Baker Leadership Award

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Laser Institute of America presented Professor Reinhart Poprawe, managing director of Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT), the Peter M. Baker Leadership Award during this year’s International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO®) in Atlanta, Georgia, Oct. 22-26.

Lin Li (right), former LIA president, presented LIA’s Peter M. Baker Leadership Award to Professor Reinhart Poprawe(left), at ICALEO, Oct. 25 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The award acknowledges individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership in an organization while significantly benefiting the laser community.  It is named after former LIA executive director, Peter M. Baker, who led LIA for almost three decades.

“There is no question that Professor Poprawe richly deserves this award. In our world of lasers, he is a leader on the grand scale, technical, organizational, political and social,” Baker said. “He is a fine gentleman, courteous, thoughtful, generous and funny. I consider it an honor to be his friend.”

Poprawe’s professional expertise includes laser applications, laser additive manufacturing, and photonics in life science. Additionally, he has a great deal of experience in laser development and plasma technology in the realms of process analysis, sensors for laser processes, laser induced plasmas and more.

“The award is from one of the most important laser communities in the world,” Poprawe said. “It is a great honor to receive this award as the first recipient after the original, Mr. Peter Baker himself.”

According to several of his peers, Poprawe has been an important figure within the industry for decades.

Professor Reinhart Poprawe addresses a crowd at ICALEO, Oct. 25 in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Professor Poprawe has been an important figure here at LIA for years,” said Nat Quick, LIA’s executive director. “He has been an LIA board member since 2001 and he always steps up when it counts most. He served as an LIA president in 2012 and has functioned as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Laser Applications® (JLA) since 2010. He is incredibly generous and exemplifies what it means to be a leader.”

After earning his Physics Ph.D. in Germany, Poprawe worked as the laser-oriented process development department head for Fraunhofer ILT before becoming their managing director. Additionally, he holds the university chair for Laser Technology at the RWTH Aachen University.

“There are so many ingredients for a successful organization,” Poprawe said. “Vision; mission; research and product portfolios; roadmaps; SWOT-analysis; and education of the employees. Industry or even better societal use and implementation of our research results is what we do everything for, especially the development of the demanding competencies in the very fundamentals of Laser Technology and application Physics.”

 

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.

 

 

 

LIA Announces New Executive Director

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Orlando, FL (October 23, 2017) – After almost three decades, the Laser Institute of America is making an enormous change by appointing Dr. Nathaniel Quick, founder of AppliCote Associates, LLC and former LIA President, as its new executive director. Quick will succeed Peter Baker, who retired in May of this year.

Dr. Nat Quick poses for a picture with LIA leadership, in Orlando, Florida Oct. 19. Quick is the association’s new executive director.

“We are grateful for the 28 strong years Peter Baker gave us at LIA,” said Paul Denney, LIA President. “And we are excited to grow LIA with Dr. Quick’s extensive leadership and experience. LIA will continue to lead the industry just as it has for many years.”

Quick takes the helm this year after his nomination by LIA’s board of directors; he is expected to lead the association for the next several years.

“I welcome this opportunity to guide LIA in this phase of its innovative growth,” Quick said. “LIA has been a tremendous laser materials processing knowledge-base for my company, inspiring the creation of our patented laser based technologies for new industrial applications. Now, I can repay the favor.”

Quick earned several degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University including a Doctor of Philosophy, which he received in 1976.

After completing his education, Quick held a position as the Vice President of Washburn Wire Products, Inc., where he focused on quality control and laboratory operations. Eventually, Quick cofounded AT&T Coatings, an entrepreneurial spin-off with a focus on technological applications.

Dr. Nat Quick, second from the right, with Charles H. Townes, Peter Baker and LIA’s board of directors at ICALEO 2010.

Between 1985 and 1989, Quick was the CEO, and chief scientist for his own company, Applications Technology of Indiana, Inc., where he invented and/or developed clad-coat micro-composited powders for powdered metal and conductive polymer electronic applications. From 1990 to 2002, Quick filled leadership positions within several companies that concentrated on materials processing and research development. For several years he continued to hone his skills as a negotiator and a project developer before founding his self-financed company, AppliCote Associates, LLC, in 2003.

Quick hopes to bring his appreciation for science and technology to LIA and its employees.

“LIA has the opportunity to become the portal to all industries and personnel that want to access laser information,” Quick said. “We are developing the means to better deliver data related to laser technology and innovative applications internationally. In short, we are becoming the content provider for all laser based technologies.”

Dr. Nat Quick and his wife at a local martial arts school Quick attends often. He said he enjoys martial arts because of its physical and mental benefits.

Dr. Nat Quick (left) and former LIA executive director, Peter Baker (right) observe a presentation at ICALEO 2010. Quick was the president of LIA at the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

LIA Announces Conference Program Highlights for ICALEO 2017

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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.

Meet Haas Laser Technologies Inc. – September’s Featured Corporate Member

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(Image courtesy of Haas Laser Technologies, Inc.)

Gilbert Haas founded Haas Laser Technologies Inc. in 1992. From its inception, he wanted the company to exemplify innovation, reliability and quality above all else. Additionally, he aimed at producing laser beam delivery components, which would define industry standards.

“Our products include laser beam delivery components, laser beam diagnostic equipment and custom laser systems,” said Gilbert Haas, president of Haas Laser Technologies.

Haas Laser Technologies facility in Flanders, NJ. (Photo courtesy of Haas Laser Technologies Inc.)

The company has approximately 20 employees who work out of three key locations: Florida, Washington and its main facility in New Jersey. International distributorships support the company’s products worldwide.

Haas mentioned that the corporation, which turns 25 this year, has witnessed sustained growth since its inception. As a result of this growth, their products are currently utilized around the world in all industrial laser applications.

Haas ensures his company is postured for innovation by remaining engaged within the laser manufacturing community. In fact, he was an integral part of the LIA Board of Directors from 2014-2016 and currently serves as the LIA Executive Committee Treasurer.

“Being a member of the LIA puts you on the cutting edge of technology,” said Haas. “Whether it be conferences at ICALEO, LAM, LME, or via proceedings, online courses and certifications, you can always be sure LIA has the information you need to succeed.”

Haas keeps a close eye on where industry trends are headed so that his organization can better adjust to customer needs.  The company is an innovator, was a Prism Award finalist several times, and holds several national and international patents.

TLC Optics (Image courtesy of Haas Laser Technologies Inc.)

“Many new efforts are being made in the laser field,” said Haas. “We have seen the evolution of Nd:Yag to Fiber Lasers and the advances in CO2 laser technology.  Being on the forefront of the

BWA-CAM (Image courtesy of Haas Laser Technologies Inc.)

technology keeps us energized. We are always challenged with developing new unique products that open new markets.”

According to Haas, the Laser Diagnostics and TLC product lines are the latest product offerings by Haas Laser Technologies Inc. today.

“Our BWA Laser Measurement System is the world’s fastest and most repeatable system for laser beam measurements,” stated Haas. “Our TLC optics mitigates thermal lensing experienced in optics in high power laser systems.”

For more details about Haas Laser Technologies Inc. please visit www.HAASLTI.com

This Corporate Member Feature was written by Brandon Kalloo in collaboration with Haas Laser Technologies Inc.

LIA Names Laser Era Revolutionary Paul Seiler Recipient of 2017 Schawlow Award

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For Immediate Release:

ORLANDO, FL – September 20, 2017 – The Laser Institute of America (LIA) proudly announces Dr. Paul Seiler winner of the 2017 Arthur L. Schawlow Award. The LIA selected Seiler for pioneering laser use, expanding the field of industrial laser use, and creating innovative tools. He has shown a fundamental understanding of laser materials interactions and how laser capabilities can be applied to daily life.

Seiler will address the laser community during the LIA Awards Luncheon, which is part of the 2017 International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO®). ICALEO conference attendees are invited to attend this momentous awards ceremony, a long-standing LIA tradition, in an awards luncheon sponsored by EdgeWave GmbH Innovative Laser Solutions. The ceremony takes place at 12:30 p.m. on October 25th, 2017, in Atlanta, GA.

The LIA created the Schawlow Award, given annually, for those who distinguish themselves through excellence in work related to basic and applied laser research. It is named after its initial recipient and 1981 Physics Nobel Prize Winner, Arthur L. Schawlow, whose work was instrumental to the invention of the laser. He was renowned for leveraging optical properties and co-obtaining the maser patent with Charles Townes.

Seiler will be recognized for his lifelong achievements in laser science and engineering. This year’s award recipient was a revolutionary – unhindered by the disbelief he encountered, and a dreamer from the beginning of his career.

“I started in 1963 inside a larger company and they lost the belief in lasers, that turned out to be a big misjudgment,” Seiler told LIA in a recent interview. “I wanted to follow my dream and was able to convince an owner of a small company that manufactured springs for watches, that he needs a laser.”

By sharing his knowledge about the uses and applications of lasers for manufacturing, Seiler gave the manufacturer an invaluable tool, which helped the company become Haas Laser, and eventually TRUMPF Laser, a world leader of solid state laser companies.

Seiler stands as a visionary and an influencer.

“In 1963 I encountered the laser for the first time,” he said. “At this time only a few people in the world had the vision that the laser would become such an important tool in the future.”

He went on to study precision mechanics at the University of Applied Sciences in Karlsruhe, Germany. The University of Stuttgart presented Seiler with an honorary doctorate in 2008, and he worked for 11 years as the managing director of TRUMPF Laser GmbH & Co. KG in Schramberg.

Seiler applied a fiber optic cable, known as the Laser Light Cable, to the laser. This innovation proved his continuous drive towards a robust laser. According to Seiler, the development was crucial for the success of solid-state lasers and, today, remains one of the keys for “easy to use” lasers. He believes the availability of the Laser Light Cable will increase the use of Ultra-Short-Pulse-Lasers in the next few years.

Seiler’s achievements include:

  • Only 11 years after the laser was invented, his first laser was applied in the 24/7 industrial application of lasers, paving the way for further innovation in 1971.
  • He engineered systems of lasers and components, setting a precedent for using lasers in conjunction with machines.
  • He developed high-power CW Lasers and was responsible for the “Mega-Installation” of more than 400 lasers for Volkswagen, fueling the widespread use of lasers in the automotive industry.
  • The TRUMPF laser group grew to be one of the largest solid-state laser companies in the world with production sides in the United States, Japan and Europe.

“Today I’m happy to share my fascination with all of the LIA laser-fascinated people,” Seiler told the LIA. “When I see how far the laser has come, I’m proud that I always believed in its success. I would like to be an example for the younger generation, motivating them to follow their passion. I thank LIA for supporting the laser society.”

Driven by limitless curiosity, Seiler’s inquisitive mind continues to thrive on the study and application of lasers.

“Even 14 years after retirement, I’m still just as fascinated by lasers as in 1963.” Seiler said.

To listen to honored speaker Dr. Seiler join us at ICALEO! For more information, 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, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553.

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