GEAR: “Brussels Photonics 2025: Photonics Innovation Powerhouse for Europe and Beyond” (IOF3019)

The Brussels Photonics team of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (B-PHOT VUB) has been pioneering the photonics research and innovation ecosystem since 1985. During the last 35 years B-PHOT has progressed into a world-class research and innovation centre and today operates its own large-scale facilities for the prototyping and pilot-production (TRLs 3 to 6) of optical and photonic components and systems. B-PHOT has created remarkable leverage of external funding and related increase in Industrial Research Fund Key Performance Indicators during the implementation of its three consecutive IOF roadmaps roadmaps as Advanced Group of Expertise in Applied Research between 2005 and 2020. With its novel ambitious IOF roadmap for 2021-2025, adapted and fine-tuned to the continuously changing innovation agendas of Europe and Flanders, and optimally aligned with their new cross-KET driven digitization policies, B-PHOT targets to further strengthen its position and become the “Photonics Innovation Powerhouse” of choice for Europe and beyond. To that aim B-PHOT will 1) greatly leverage its photonics innovation support activities with a multitude of European SMEs, LSCs and start-ups, 2) fully deploy its greatly expanded prototyping and pilot-line facilities for freeform optics, optical sensors, and lab-on-chips in the framework of cross-KET collaborative applied research and industry innovation projects, 3) boost the scale of its bilateral projects on extreme photonics innovation technologies with global industrial players.

Keywords:photonics innovation, KPI's, leverage, pilot line infrastructure, spin-offs, optical sensors, lab-on-chips, freeform optics, nonlinear photonics, micro-lasers, optical sensor

Disciplines:Photonics, light and lighting

Project type:Collaboration project