Successful first PhotonDelta Application Labs Bootcamp at TU/e !

From 4 to 6 November, a multidisciplinary team of PhD students from the Eindhoven University of Technology has been working hard to identify possible integrated photonics based solutions to the next-generation product requirements of Storex. TU/e and PhotonDelta are initiators of this three day event, called ‘Application Labs Bootcamp’.

The PhotonDelta Application Labs Bootcamps consist of brainstorming sessions to address innovation challenges set by potential customers of the PhotonDelta ecosystem, namely equipment manufacturers and system integrators. Sessions are organized involving relevant experts from companies or scientists from knowledge institutes. The objective is to create baseline for possible follow-up R&D projects with those customer companies.

The first Application Labs Bootcamp was held this week at TU/e to address challenges set forth by Storex. This company is specialized in controlled atmosphere technology, which is worldwide applied for example in fruit storage. Storex wants to improve the monitoring of the firmness and de-hydration of fruit in storage. In this three day event, we learned how integrated photonics can play a role in this challenge. “I am happy to have made use of this tool and of the outcomes, solid base that can be now used to define way forward in our research” says Eugene Rokx, driver of the Innovation program at Storex. 

The participating PhD and Postdoc students have been enthusiastic to make use of their knowledge on integrated photonics and of their fresh thinking to identify promising concepts and propose research directions under such a pressure cooker setting. “A truly learning experience for our students by leveraging their knowledge and connect to the concrete industry needs” says Andrea Fiore, Professor at TU/e and scientific director of the Institute for Photonics Integration.

“PhotonDelta objective is to drive the growth of the promising Dutch integrated photonics ecosystem. The Application Labs Bootcamps are a low threshold, rapid response, flexible tool to get customers engaged with the partners of PhotonDelta. This way customers can explore whether Integrated Photonics could offer a solution to their innovation need” explains Giuseppe Coppola, Chief Strategy and Business Development at PhotonDelta. 

PhotonDelta is calling other companies to join future Application Labs Bootcamps. If you are interested to engage, please let us know!