The URochester-led NSF STELLAR Engine launches with $15 million in federal funding.
The United States National Science Foundation (NSF) announced it’ll award $15 million over the following two years to launch the NSF STELLAR Engine within the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region of New York, led by the University of Rochester. The award, matched by $16 million in New York State assist over the following six years, will set up an internationally aggressive know-how and innovation cluster within the region targeted on laser applied sciences, training, enterprise growth and attraction, manufacturing, and workforce improvement.
An estimated $16 trillion international market relies on lasers for all the pieces from smartphones to national protection, however their manufacturing is more and more based mostly abroad. To bolster laser manufacturing domestically, the United States and New York State governments are investing to assist the institution of a national hub for laser science and improvement in New York’s Rochester, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier areas.
The STELLAR (Science, Technology and Engineering for Laser and Laser Applications Research) venture’s key companions embrace the Institute of Optics and Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) at URochester, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Monroe Community College (MCC), NextCorps, Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE), AmeriCOM, and New York State. In addition, greater than 90 organizations, together with trade, greater training, startups, state and native authorities, enterprise capital, and not-for-profits, have supplied collaboration and assist for the initiative. The coalition is without doubt one of the latest 12 US groups throughout 20 states to obtain an NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) award.
“NSF Engines investments in critical technologies and future industries will transform America’s innovation infrastructure for decades to come,” says Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. “The NSF STELLAR Engine will strengthen US competitiveness in global markets by advancing lasers and laser application research for manufacturing, defense, communication and healthcare.”
A national funding rooted in Rochester’s strengths
Laser merchandise are important in a variety of fields, together with manufacturing, communications, inspection, setting sensing, protection, and safety programs. While the laser was first theorized and demonstrated by American scientists and engineers, STELLAR’s organizers say the US dangers falling behind China and Europe within the vital know-how with out critical, sustained consideration. The manufacturing and packaging of lasers are more and more being carried out abroad. At the identical time, there’s a scarcity of expert employees within the optics and photonics trade, according to SPIE, the worldwide society for optics and photonics. Through the NSF Engines program, STELLAR’s leaders intention to carry New York laser analysis, improvement, and manufacturing to a scale that may compete globally.
The venture builds on a robust basis. The Rochester and Finger Lakes region is already residence to greater than 150 optics, photonics, imaging, and laser supply-chain firms, as effectively as establishments and services which are national leaders within the subject. These embrace:
- URochester’s Institute of Optics, the nation’s premier program for training and analysis in optics, photonics, imaging, and laser science, based practically 100 years in the past, and URochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics, the positioning of Nobel Prize–winning research and residence to the biggest—and among the many strongest—lasers in academia.
- RIT, residence to the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, which homes the nation’s first imaging science program, and the Semiconductor Nanofabrication Laboratory, which homes a category 1000 cleanroom facility with a whole tools set for the fabrication of semiconductor, laser, and photonic units. RIT can be residence to the nation’s first BS and MS diploma packages in microelectronic engineering and the nation’s first PhD program in microsystems engineering.
- MCC, residence to the nation’s first neighborhood faculty optical programs know-how program and a national chief in serving to set up optics packages at different neighborhood faculties, together with SUNY Corning Community College.
- Companies and organizations such as L3Harris, Corning, Optimax Systems Inc., TOPTICA Photonics Inc., and AIM Photonics that manufacture high-precision optics in aerospace, protection, and semiconductor industries.
“This is a tremendous moment for the University of Rochester, our region, and the American public,” says URochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf. “On behalf of the University neighborhood, we’re gratified that our regional leaders have demonstrated that we’ve the expertise and the teamwork wanted to reposition our nation on the forefront of laser analysis, improvement, and manufacturing.
“In 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.”
“The same region that led revolutions in photography, xerography, optical physics, and precision optics is ideally positioned to lead the future of laser technology.”
Thomas Brown, the director of URochester’s Institute of Optics and STELLAR principal investigator, says, “The 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’s 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.”
Sujatha Ramanujan, managing director and chief funding officer of NextCorps’ Luminate Accelerator, says, “Lasers 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.”
Project leaders started formally planning STELLAR in 2023, when NSF awarded URochester a $1 million NSF Regional Innovation Engines Development Award. The venture was finally chosen from a course of that started with nearly 300 letters of intent. The NSF Engines program is meant to construct and scale new innovation clusters that speed up the event of vital applied sciences and develop regional economies nationwide. The initiative has the potential to finally obtain as much as $160 million over the following decade.
Partners and authorities leaders categorical their assist for NSF STELLAR Engine
US Senator Charles Schumer: “With 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—led by the University of Rochester. I created the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program in my CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY’s 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’s global competitive advantage. I will continue to be laser-focused on delivering new federal investment to advance this cutting-edge work.”
US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “The University of Rochester is a deserving recipient of this award, and I couldn’t 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—up to $160 million over the next decade—builds 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.”
Congressman Joe Morelle: “Rochester has always been a place where big ideas become real-world breakthroughs, and today’s 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’s place as a global leader in laser technology.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney: “The National Science Foundation’s 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.”
Congressman Nick Langworthy: “This is outstanding news for the University of Rochester and our entire region. I was proud to strongly support the University’s 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’s 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.”
Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight: “The NSF STELLAR Engine award is a powerful validation of New York’s 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’s leadership in industries critical to our nation’s future.”
RIT President Bill Sanders: “Laser 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’s competitiveness in one of the world’s 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.”
NextCorps President James Senall: “True 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.”
Monroe Community College President DeAnna Burt-Nanna: “Monroe Community College is proud to join our partners in launching the NSF STELLAR Engine and in strengthening Rochester’s legacy as a global leader in optics, photonics, and laser technologies. As the home of the nation’s 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.”
Greater Rochester Enterprise President and CEO Matt Hurlbutt: “The 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’ 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.”