Education Outreach & Links

Major Funded Multidisciplinary Research Programs:

AFOSR DURINT: Polymeric Nanophotonics and Nanoelectronics

 

NSF IGERT in Biophotonics:

The Institute was recently awarded an NSF Integrative Graduate Education Research Traineeship award for Biophotonics: Materials and Applications. This grant clearly demonstrates our ongoing committement to education and training. The program website is located at http//www.photonics.buffalo.edu/IGERT.

Education and Training

The Institute communicates with industries in New York State, businesses considering relocation to New York, and entrepreneurs considering new business ventures. It works closely with these groups to establish training programs based on the needs of the State, and these industries and companies. Currently, no comprehensive programs for education, training and retraining exist, even though there is a great market demand. Most training or retraining and education occur in the workplace, at a great expense to the company.

The Institute has developed a curriculum for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics at both the undergraduate and certificate levels. We see the opportunity to develop training materials and facilities in fiber optics, medical applications, laser design and packaging, photonic materials, consumer optoelectronics (lasers/detectors/modulators), optical non-destructive testing and optical communications. Outreach programs presenting fundamentals and applications of light can also be furthered through high school summer courses.

The Photonic industry is predicted to be a $90 billion dollar industry for the year 2000. The Institute is in a pivotal position to help create the necessary workforce that will place New York in a more advantageous position to take advantage of this burgeoning industry.

Topics covered by Education and Training Programs

Some examples of the areas covered are:

Laser Technology: The field of laser technology and new application is rapidly growing worldwide. There is an ever-growing need for compact, energy efficient and multi-usage lasers. The courses will cover design concepts, fabrication, operational and safety training. Training in new applications of lasers in industrial and health care sectors will also be provided.

Optical Fiber Technology: Fiber Optics telecommunication is a major application of optical fibers. Corning, Inc., of Corning, New York enjoys the world's largest share of the optical fiber and amplifier market. Optical fibers are also finding applications in local area network; imaging and display; fiber coupled medical devices and medical lasers; and chemical and biosensor. The courses and training offered at the Institute will cover fabrication and testing of optical fibers; fiber coupling and optical transmission network; fiber lasers and fiber coupled optical diagnostic medical devices and fiber-based sensor technology.

Optical Techniques for Nondestructive Evaluation and Inspection: Nondestructive evaluation of electronic/photonics materials, components and systems as well as noninvasive/minimally invasive diagnostic are of significant interest to electronic/photonic industries and health care industries. These courses will present a comprehensive treatment of the various techniques as well as hands-on training.

Photonic Packaging: As photonics is projected to be the dominant technology for this century, a better understanding of issues related to efficient, durable and cost-effective packaging of components and their integration into systems is of vital importance to the growth of the Photonic Industries. The courses and training will be designed to include study of interconnects; failure modes; accelerated weathering test for long term durability; development of new methods/materials for coupling, integration and sealing. Again, lecture and laboratory training will form an integrated program.

Nanotechnology: This area has been listed as one of high national priority. We plan to develop a comprehensive education and training program covering design criteria and fabrication of nanostructured organic, inorganic and hybrid composites using a variety of chemical and physical approaches. Fabrication of nanostructured devices such as NanoMEMS, Nano-BIOMEMS and Nanosensors will also be covered. Another area is nanoscale high-density optical data storage.

Bio-Imaging for Medical Research, Diagnostics and Therapy: The Institute plans to have a very comprehensive optical and various force microscopic imaging facility and training for studying processes, dynamic and therapeutic actions both at cellular and tissue levels. Optical probing of the effect of external stimuli and optical biopsy methods will be covered.

Nanomedicine and Nanoclinic: Targeted therapy; externally controlled release of drugs; and, increasing efficiency by selective enhancement of local concentration of drugs are areas of great significance to pharmaceutical Industries. Nanoscale designing of drug encapsulation and surface functionalization are powerful approached for drug delivery. Our recent approach of nanoclinic is a major breakthrough in this area. The education and training in this area will involve chemistry of encapsulation and functionalization and studies of processes both at cellular and tissue levels.

Light Activated Therapies: This area covers a wide range of therapies from low level light therapy of pains and wound healing to high light level photodynamic cancer therapy. The courses will cover many of these therapies, presenting information available from controlled physiological studies. A coverage of suitable lasers for specific therapy will also be included. Practical training will also be provided.