The Boston University Photonics Center annual report 2007-2008

Abstract

The following report summarizes activities of the Boston University Photonics Center (BUPC) during the period July 2007 through June 2008. These activities span the Center’s complementary missions in education, research, technology development, and commercialization. Faculty research activity reached an all time high when evaluated by the accepted metrics of external funding, scholarly publications, honors and awards. The Center’s educational programs were bolstered by two summer programs hosting more than 40 undergraduate interns, and by the renewal of a competitive graduate fellowship program sponsoring ten BUPC graduate fellowships. In technology development, the prototype RedOwl sniper detection system pioneered by Center faculty, staff, and industry partners was field-tested by the US Department of Defense. RedOwl has been officially transitioned to industry partners for further commercial development along with the soldier wearable Enhanced Acoustic Gear for Locating Enemies (EAGLE) system. Three defense/security prototypes were developed by BUPC to address critical national defense needs in the past year. Four faculty development projects were supported in collaboration with the Army Research Laboratory’s Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (ARL-SEDD) to fill the technology pipeline for our future defense-related prototyping efforts. The Center’s business incubator is at capacity with various technology companies ranging from photonics to life sciences. The incubator provides a stimulating intellectual environment, outstanding facilities, and professional business expertise to participating companies.