NETLAS · NExt generation of Tuneable LASers for optical coherence tomography

NExt generation of Tuneable LASers for optical coherence tomography

NETLAS is an interdisciplinary/intersectoral European Training Network providing state-of-the-art research training in the design and build of the next generation of tunable optical sources for optical coherence tomography (OCT) applied to medical imaging and non-destructive testing. NETLAS will foster training and education of 15 Early Stage Research (ESRs) at 8 world-leading academic institutions, and 6 non-academic institutions. The training and research programme is born out of a strong and clear need to respond to the challenges of providing faster, deeper, higher resolution imaging and with a smaller footprint (portable) at a low cost. Societal benefits: Stimulate the development of cutting edge photonic technologies with direct applications in biomedicine and elsewhere, improving medical care and outcomes for patients, creating new markets for European engaged in building components for photonics research. NetLaS training concept is to build a scientific and technology development program comprising multidisciplinary and intersectoral crossovers. Training objectives are defined to: • enhance the appeal for an academic and industrial research career by delivering a structured training program taught by leading scientists •provide academic and private-sector employers with researchers skilled in a wide range of techniques and methods •produce researchers with excellent transferable skills able to transform abstract and challenging ideas into influential and practical outcomes •create an active, long-term network of young researchers whose personal contacts and expertise will help Europe shaping the future of laser technologies and applications, delivering researchers with the skills/ability to become leaders in fields of Photonics. NETLAS Training Programme for young scientists offers a combination of scientific, technical, entrepreneurship, innovation and management skills in 3 categories: 1.Network-wide Training (individual research projects; secondments; joint summer training schools; international conference). 2.Local Training (host institutions provides scientific/technical transferable skills courses and training activities). 3.External Training (courses; visits; conferences outside the network). A student coming in contact with different partners in the consortium have the unique experience of visiting and learning from world leading groups and world leadership in industry: Superlum Photonics (Ireland) - maker of the best 800 nm semiconductor devices, Innolume (Germany )- maker of the best 1050 nm devices, NKT Photonics (Denmark) - maker of the best photonic crystal fibres and best supercontinuum sources, Optores (Germany) - maker of the fastest commercial swept laser systems, Centervue (Italy) – offering eye diagnostics/ophthalmic products worldwide and OCTLIGHT (Germany) – a high-tech company developing and selling OCT Swept Lasers. ESRs have the chance for training/internships and acquire knowledge in OCT-based non-destructive testing within the Research Center for Materials Characterization and Non-Destructive Testing (Germany), internationally well-recognized institution covering two main areas on optical and acoustic non-destructive testing. ESRs will attend lecturers and training within Northwick Park Hospital, Biomedical Research Centre at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital (all in London). This is the first time to our knowledge that a strategic approach is taken to optical source development for coherence imaging, drawing on world leading expertise in semiconductors, supercontinuum and swept sources.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз