Horizon 2020, the largest EU Research and Innovation programme to date, with nearly €80 billion of funding available over the next seven years, will be officially launched at the Photonics21 AGM in Brussels, Belgium on 28 March. Funding for the development of photonics technologies to address socioeconomic problems is being made available through this reasearch initiative.
Photonics technology is becoming fundamental to the successful development of solutions to major economic and social challenges facing Europe. These include improving resource efficiency in areas such as food and energy and also in security. The provision of smart applications to meet these challenges is the key to taking a global lead in these areas.
Photonics research in Horizon2020 will include developing increased efficiencies in satellite communications, materials processing and medical diagnostics. Gooch and Housego will lead and contribute, and has contributed under FP7, the predecessor program to Horizon2020, to numerous projects in these areas.
During the launch of Horizon2020 there will be panel discussion on re-industrialising Europe. Gareth Jones, Gooch and Housego CEO and panel member, commented: ‘Photonics are at the heart of the Horizon2020 programme. The main strands of development will focus on improving efficiencies in areas such fibre laser based manufacturing, data communication and medical diagnostic technology.’
