Reding welcomes launch of Photonics Technology Platform
Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding has welcomed the launch of a European Technology Platform on photonics, and urged the European photonics industry to move ahead vigorously in order to take advantage of the emerging opportunities on offer to the sector. Industry, research and policy makers have joined forces to further explore photonics, a key strategic technology in the 21st century. More than 200 experts from 16 EU Member States and 120 companies took part in the launch event of the platform, Photonics21, in Brussels on 2 December. In her speech, Ms Reding alluded to the specific role of photonics in information and communication technologies (ICT). In spite of the fact that ICT is often seen as driven by the miniaturisation of microelectronics, photonics have made a major contribution. The Commissioner said that optical fibre communication is the unseen force behind ever faster and cheaper telecommunications and the Internet. In consumer electronics, the key technology in CD and DVD players is optical technology, which gives us large and flat colour displays for computers and television, and high energy lasers. These are increasingly finding application in medicine for micro-surgery and non-invasive imaging. Ms Reding also mentioned developments such as flat, power-efficient light sources or sensor systems for environmental and health, all of which are photonics applications. 'Photonics is one of the most important future industries for Europe. The benefit of photonics can only be fully exploited by international and European cooperation,' stated Commissioner Reding at the official opening of the workshop 'Photonics21'. The platform is based on the vision document 'Photonics for the 21st Century', published in spring, which proposes a coordinated action plan at European level to explore the almost limitless future applications of light, and to reap the expected benefits in terms of creating both jobs and wealth. Photonics21 aims at creating the environment necessary for visionary and industrially relevant research in photonic components, systems and applications through a shared industry and public sector vision. It undertakes to establish Europe as a leader in the development and deployment of photonics in five industrial areas (information and communication, lighting and displays, manufacturing, life science, and security), as well as in education and training. The Strategic Research Agenda will include a coordinated approach for research and development (R&D) investment at the European, national and regional levels. The European Commission and the stakeholders have both pledged to work closely together to make sure that photonics plays an important role in the upcoming Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Ms Reding expressed a sense of urgency, saying that Europe must move before opportunities are taken up elsewhere. The Commissioner underlined that the Strategic Research Agenda should be completed by March, if it is to be considered for FP7. She also reminded her audience that 'the budget allocation for photonics will depend strongly on the quality of this SRA, and on the related industrial commitment and the expected impact'.