\t\tThe URochester-led NSF STELLAR Engine launches with $15 million in federal funding.<\/p>\n
The United States National Science Foundation (NSF) announced<\/a> it will award $15 million over the next two years to launch the NSF STELLAR Engine in the Rochester\/Finger Lakes Region of New York, led by the University of Rochester. The award, matched by $16 million in New York State support over the next six years, will establish an internationally competitive technology and innovation cluster in the region focused on laser technologies, education, business expansion and attraction, manufacturing, and workforce development.<\/p>\n An estimated $16 trillion global marketplace depends on lasers for everything from smartphones to national defense, but their production is increasingly based overseas. To bolster laser production domestically, the United States and New York State governments are investing to support the establishment of a national hub for laser science and development in New York\u2019s Rochester, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier regions.<\/p>\n The STELLAR<\/a> (Science, Technology and Engineering for Laser and Laser Applications Research) project\u2019s key partners include the Institute of Optics<\/a> and Laboratory for Laser Energetics<\/a> (LLE) at URochester, Rochester Institute of Technology<\/a> (RIT), Monroe Community College<\/a> (MCC), NextCorps<\/a>, Greater Rochester Enterprise<\/a> (GRE), AmeriCOM<\/a>, and New York State<\/a>. In addition, more than 90 organizations, including industry, higher education, startups, state and local government, venture capital, and not-for-profits, have offered collaboration and support for the initiative. The coalition is one of the newest 12 US teams across 20 states to receive an NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) award.<\/p>\n \u201cNSF Engines investments in critical technologies and future industries will transform America\u2019s innovation infrastructure for decades to come,\u201d says Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. \u201cThe NSF STELLAR Engine will strengthen US competitiveness in global markets by advancing lasers and laser application research for manufacturing, defense, communication and healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n A national investment rooted in Rochester\u2019s strengths<\/p>\n Laser products are essential in a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, communications, inspection, environment sensing, defense, and security systems. While the laser was first theorized and demonstrated<\/a> by American scientists and engineers, STELLAR\u2019s organizers say the US risks falling behind China and Europe in the critical technology without serious, sustained attention. The manufacturing and packaging of lasers are increasingly being carried out overseas. At the same time, there\u2019s a shortage of skilled workers in the optics and photonics industry, according to SPIE<\/a>, the international society for optics and photonics. Through the NSF Engines program, STELLAR\u2019s leaders aim to bring New York laser research, development, and manufacturing to a scale that can compete globally.<\/p>\n The project builds on a strong foundation. The Rochester and Finger Lakes region is already home to more than 150 optics, photonics, imaging, and laser supply-chain companies, as well as institutions and facilities that are national leaders in the field. These include:<\/p>\n URochester\u2019s Institute of Optics, the nation\u2019s premier program for education and research in optics, photonics, imaging, and laser science, founded nearly 100 years ago, and URochester\u2019s Laboratory for Laser Energetics, the site of Nobel Prize\u2013winning research<\/a> and home to the largest\u2014and among the most powerful\u2014lasers in academia. \u201cThis is a tremendous moment for the University of Rochester, our region, and the American public,\u201d says URochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf<\/a>. \u201cOn behalf of the University community, we\u2019re gratified that our regional leaders have demonstrated that we have the talent and the teamwork needed to reposition our nation at the forefront of laser research, development, and manufacturing.<\/p>\n \u201cIn addition to our many partners, I want to particularly thank our Congressional delegation and New York State. I want to thank Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Representative Morelle, Representative Langworthy, Representative Tenney, and Governor Hochul for sharing in this vision and for their partnership and incredible support. I also want to thank the National Science Foundation for having the confidence and support in us to establish a thriving regional innovation ecosystem focused on lasers to drive economic growth, improve lives, and spur US global competitiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe same region that led revolutions in photography, xerography, optical physics, and precision optics is ideally positioned to lead the future of laser technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Thomas Brown<\/a>, the director of URochester\u2019s Institute of Optics and STELLAR principal investigator, says, \u201cThe same region that led revolutions in photography, xerography, optical physics, and precision optics is ideally positioned to lead the future of laser technology. Pound for pound, Rochester\u2019s brainpower in optics, photonics, imaging, and laser technology is unmatched, and we are immensely grateful for the support to help lead a national resurgence in laser technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Sujatha Ramanujan, managing director and chief investment officer of NextCorps\u2019 Luminate Accelerator, says, \u201cLasers are critical for everything from everyday medical devices to quantum technology, but the US relies too much on lasers manufactured abroad. This investment to develop the Rochester\/Finger Lakes region as a laser research and development hub will bolster national security, open new career pathways, and ensure America remains at the vanguard of technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Project leaders began formally planning STELLAR in 2023, when NSF awarded URochester<\/a> a $1 million NSF Regional Innovation Engines Development Award. The project was ultimately selected from a process that began with nearly 300 letters of intent<\/a>. The NSF Engines program is intended to build and scale new innovation clusters that accelerate the development of critical technologies and grow regional economies nationwide. The initiative has the potential to eventually receive up to $160 million over the next decade.<\/p>\n Partners and government leaders express their support for NSF STELLAR Engine<\/p>\n US Senator Charles Schumer: \u201cWith this whopping $15 million National Science Foundation award, the future is bright for research, development, and manufacturing of cutting-edge laser technology in Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier\u2014led by the University of Rochester. I created the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program in my CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY\u2019s world-renowned universities, world-class workforce, and innovation ecosystem in mind. The Rochester-Finger Lakes region has a proud history of excellence and innovation in optics, photonics, imaging, and lasers and, will lead the charge to increase the domestic laser research and manufacturing so critical to America\u2019s global competitive advantage. I will continue to be laser-focused on delivering new federal investment to advance this cutting-edge work.\u201d<\/p>\n US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: \u201cThe University of Rochester is a deserving recipient of this award, and I couldn\u2019t be more proud to see the STELLAR Engine recognized in the NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition. The Rochester-Finger Lakes region has long been a hub of optical technology and advanced manufacturing, and this award\u2014up to $160 million over the next decade\u2014builds on that proud legacy. Laser technologies are critical to both manufacturing and national defense, and STELLAR strengthens the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse Tech Hub designation I was proud to fight for.\u201d<\/p>\n Congressman Joe Morelle: \u201cRochester has always been a place where big ideas become real-world breakthroughs, and today\u2019s announcement is another exciting chapter in that story. This investment will help create good-paying jobs, grow our local economy, and give more students and workers the opportunity to build careers right here in our community. I was proud to help secure funding for the NSF Engines program that made investments like this possible, and I congratulate the University of Rochester, the National Science Foundation, Governor Hochul, and all our partners for coming together to cement Rochester\u2019s place as a global leader in laser technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Congresswoman Claudia Tenney: \u201cThe National Science Foundation\u2019s selection of STELLAR is tremendous news for the Finger Lakes and all of Upstate New York. Earlier this year, I wrote to NSF in support of this proposal because I knew our region had the talent, research institutions, and industry partnerships to lead in laser and photonics innovation. This investment will strengthen advanced manufacturing, expand workforce development, and create new opportunities for businesses and workers across our region. Congratulations to the University of Rochester, NextCorps, and the entire STELLAR partnership on this well-deserved achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n Congressman Nick Langworthy: \u201cThis is outstanding news for the University of Rochester and our entire region. I was proud to strongly support the University\u2019s application because I knew this investment would build on their world-class leadership in optics and laser technology while creating new opportunities for innovation, manufacturing, workforce development, and good-paying jobs. The STELLAR Engine will help strengthen America\u2019s technological edge, bolster our national security, and ensure this region remains at the forefront of the next generation of advanced manufacturing. Congratulations to President Mangelsdorf, Dr. Tom Brown, and the entire coalition of partners who worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight: \u201cThe NSF STELLAR Engine award is a powerful validation of New York\u2019s unmatched innovation ecosystem and the strength of our partnerships across higher education, industry, and government. This investment will accelerate commercialization, expand advanced manufacturing, attract new businesses, and prepare New Yorkers for high-demand careers in optics, photonics, and laser technologies. Empire State Development is proud to support this transformational initiative that will drive economic growth in the Finger Lakes while reinforcing New York\u2019s leadership in industries critical to our nation\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n RIT President Bill Sanders: \u201cLaser technology powers everything from advanced manufacturing and communications to national security and healthcare. This award positions the Rochester region to build on its legacy of innovation while strengthening America\u2019s competitiveness in one of the world\u2019s most important technologies. RIT is honored to join our partners in creating a national hub for laser research, education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Together, we are expanding opportunities for students, advancing discoveries that matter, and helping ensure that the emerging technologies shaping the future are developed right here.\u201d<\/p>\n NextCorps President James Senall: \u201cTrue innovation in laser and optics technologies requires an intentional ecosystem in order to thrive. NextCorps is eager to help founders commercialize these breakthrough laser technologies and bring them to market. By building this regional capacity, we are ensuring that brilliant scientific ideas are successfully transitioned into powerful commercial solutions and transformative economic impact.\u201d<\/p>\n Monroe Community College President DeAnna Burt-Nanna: \u201cMonroe Community College is proud to join our partners in launching the NSF STELLAR Engine and in strengthening Rochester\u2019s legacy as a global leader in optics, photonics, and laser technologies. As the home of the nation\u2019s first community college optical systems technology program, MCC understands that breakthrough innovation depends on a highly skilled workforce. This NSF investment will expand opportunities for students, strengthen career pathways, and help ensure that employers across our region and nation have the talented technicians needed to drive the next generation of discovery, manufacturing, and economic growth.\u201d<\/p>\n Greater Rochester Enterprise President and CEO Matt Hurlbutt: \u201cThe Greater Rochester, NY region is the ideal place for the United States National Science Foundation to invest in a laser hub. Rochester is the home of leading research universities, talent development, and outstanding optics, photonics, imaging, and laser companies that lead global innovation. The NSF STELLAR Engine will spur research and development and enhance the United States\u2019 ability to lead next-generation technologies that support critical industries and solve global challenges. Greater Rochester Enterprise is committed to supporting the STELLAR effort by increasing collaboration among key stakeholders to attract more private investment and job creation across the entire region.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The URochester-led NSF STELLAR Engine launches with $15 million in federal funding. 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\nRIT, home to the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, which houses the nation\u2019s first imaging science program, and the Semiconductor Nanofabrication Laboratory, which houses a class 1000 cleanroom facility with a complete equipment set for the fabrication of semiconductor, laser, and photonic devices. RIT is also home to the nation\u2019s first BS and MS degree programs in microelectronic engineering and the nation\u2019s first PhD program in microsystems engineering.
\nMCC, home to the nation\u2019s first community college optical systems technology program and a national leader in helping establish optics programs at other community colleges, including SUNY Corning Community College.
\nCompanies and organizations such as L3Harris, Corning, Optimax Systems Inc., TOPTICA Photonics Inc., and AIM Photonics that manufacture high-precision optics in aerospace, defense, and semiconductor industries.<\/p>\n