Photonics on Agribiz Agenda

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2007 -- The 2007 International Photonics, Food & Agriculture Conference will address how photonics, optoelectronics and microsystems-enabled technologies can overcome challenges in the agribusiness industry.

"From smart farming, to monitoring pathogens and mitigating infectious diseases, to tracking products through the supply chain, agriculture and innovative technologies are presenting possible solutions to these and many other problems," said the Finger Lakes New Knowledge Fusion Project, which is sponsoring the conference, to be held Nov. 16 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Inn on the Lake in Canandaigua. A wine and cheese reception will follow. Co-sponsors are the International Photonics Commercialization Alliance (IPCA), Cornell University, the Infotonics Technology Center Inc. of Canandaigua, and the New York AgriDevelopment Corp.

The conference will include speakers from production, wholesale, distribution and retail sales who will discuss industrial challenges, advances in addressing agribusiness problems and development needs.

Daniel L. Schmoldt, PhD, national program leader of Instrumentation and Sensors at the USDA, Cooperative State Research, Education & Extension Service, will speak about the government's views on high-rech solutions to agricultural problems. Speakers will also include Tom Facer, vice president of agricultural services at Rochester-based BirdsEye Foods Inc., on the vegetable processing industry, and representatives of the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Center, Battelle AgriFoods, and the wine and wine technology, grape, fruit, dairy and food packaging industries.

The Finger Lakes New Knowledge Fusion project, made possible by a three-year, $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, funds scientific research, new technologies, startup companies and education in the region.

The conference registration fee is $75, or $50 for early registration (through Nov. 2). Discount lodging rates are also available.

For more information, call (800) 228-2801, or visit: www.fusiongrant.org

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Published: September 2007

Glossary

nano: An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
optoelectronics: Optoelectronics is a branch of electronics that focuses on the study and application of devices and systems that use light and its interactions with different materials. The term "optoelectronics" is a combination of "optics" and "electronics," reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of this field. Optoelectronic devices convert electrical signals into optical signals or vice versa, making them crucial in various technologies. Some key components and applications of optoelectronics include: ...
photonics: The technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The science includes light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification and detection by optical components and instruments, lasers and other light sources, fiber optics, electro-optical instrumentation, related hardware and electronics, and sophisticated systems. The range of applications of photonics extends from energy generation to detection to communications and...

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