Photonics and organic electronics vision paper delivered to European government

Dan Rogers - 28 Feb 2011

A vision paper for photonics and organic electronics was recently presented to European Commission vice president Neelie Kroes, to advise on the role of the emerging technologies to the European economy.

The vision paper was explained at the Photonics21 Annual Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, as the European organisation seeks to ensure funding and top-level backing for photonics and organic electronics.

The role of organic electronics in the photonics community was confirmed in January 2010, when the organic and large-area electronics group became part of the European Photonics Unit.

Future

Both photonics and organic electronics are part of the strategy for future development presented to Kroes by Photonics21.

The organisation presented photonics and organic electronics as a toolkit for other technologies in Photonics - Our Vision for a Key Enabling Technology of Europe.

Kroes, also commissioner for the European Digital Agenda, proposed that the photonics community could present the value of the technology to the June Council of European members, and recommended that the photonics community should present clear means and goals for commercialisation.

She also noted that smart lighting - developed by the likes of Osram, Novaled and Philips - is a good example of photonics meeting the digital agenda for Europe, alongside technologies for communications and diagnostics.

Smart growth

Kroes stated: 'Europe needs growth, and the growth needs to be smart.'

'The policy changes have started - in 2010 we've put in place a number of relevant initiatives. There is one single mission - the intention to create smart growth.'

Kroes also noted that the European Commission is aware that further funding is required for photonics and organic electronics, and is being considered in a green paper that is now being worked on.

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