The Boston University Photonics Center annual report 2010-2011

Abstract

This report summarizes activities of the Boston University Photonics Center (BUPC) during the period July 2010 through June 2011. These activities span the Center’s complementary missions in education, research, technology development, and commercialization. In education, 21BUPC graduate students received Ph.D. diplomas. BUPC faculty taught 20 photonics courses. One graduate student was funded through the Photonics Center Dean’s Fellowship Program. BUPC supported the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Biophotonic Sensors and Systems. In addition to working in the laboratories and heading to Northeastern University for shared seminars, the eight teachers split into two groups to participate in cleanroom activities. The University hosted its annual Science and Engineering Day, where the Photonics Center sponsored the Herbert J. Berman "Future of Light" Prize. Professor Goldberg’s Boston Urban Fellows Project started its sixth year. For more on our education programs, turn to the Education section on page 62. In research, BUPC faculty published journal papers spanning the field of photonics. Eleven patents were awarded to faculty this year for new innovations in the field. A number of awards for outstanding achievement in education and research were presented to BUPC faculty members. These honors include the NSF CAREER Award for Professors Altug, the 2010 R&sD 100 Award for Professor Bifano, and the Dean’s Catalyst Award for Professor Joshi. New external grant funding for the 2010-2010 fiscal year totaled $20.9M. For more information on our research activities, turn to the Research section on page 24. In technology development, this year was the beginning of a transitional period at the Photonics Center as ARL pipeline programs were completed and new research projects were proposed as part of the newly funded National Science Foundation (NSF) Industrial University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) on Biophotonic Sensors and Systems. As researchers finished programs for ARL development, many successfully presented programs at the first annual I/UCRC meeting in April 2011. In the I/UCRC model, industry members of the Center provide the market vision and orient research to solve urgent market needs – in an extension of the successful ARL pipeline model in which the Department of Defense’s urgent needs motivated our research goals. For more information on our technology development pipeline and projects, turn to the Technology Development section on page 49. In commercialization, the business incubator continues to operate at capacity. Its tenants include ten technology companies with a majority having core business interests primarily in photonics and life sciences. It houses several companies founded by current and former BU faculty and students and provides students with an opportunity to assist, observe, and learn from start-up companies. For more information about business incubator activities, turn to the Business Incubation chapter in the Facilities and Equipment section on page 74. In early 2010, the BUPC unveiled a five-year strategic plan as part of the University’s comprehensive review of centers and institutes. The BUPC strategic plan will enhance the Center’s position as an international leader in photonics research. For more information about the strategic plan, turn to the BUPC Strategic Plan section on page 11.