The FAMES Pilot Line, a dedicated semiconductor workshop, has launched an open access call for organizations such as design houses, fabless companies, foundries, material and tool suppliers, universities, and research centers to submit user requests for access to the site. Initiated by the EU's Chips Joint Undertaking and coordinated by CEA-Leti, FAMES will give users access to pathfinding and process design kits as well as education and training on FAMES technologies. The open access committee, representing the consortium’s 11 partners, will review and select applicants’ proposals during a two-month open access call available immediately. Open access calls will take place each spring through 2028, with an updated portfolio of available FAMES technologies. BERNIN, France — Semiconductor materials designer Soitec has joined the SEMI Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance, a group of more than 100 semiconductor industry partners, with TSMC and ASE serving as the alliance's advocates. The alliance's mission is to drive silicon photonics innovation and applications, advance industry standards, and foster knowledge-sharing, resource integration, and technical exchange. Through its membership, Soitec said it will contribute to strengthening supply chain partnerships and fostering international collaboration on the deployment of next-generation technologies, including co-packaged optics. SARCEDO, Italy — The European Innovation Council has awarded nine grants to quantum technology start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. HQS Quantum Simulations GmbH, Silent Waves, ThinkQuantum SRL, Delft Networks B.V., and CubIQ B.V. were each awarded roughly €2.5 million ($2.7 million) each for projects involving qubit devices, quantum photonics, and quantum internet networking. SemiQon Technologies OY, Quobly, eleQtron GmbH, and Delft Circuits B.V. were awarded up to €17.5 million (~$19 million) each for projects involving cryogenic CMOS chips, scalable quantum computing, and all-integrated on-chip ion traps. HANOVER, Md. — Lumen Technologies, an AI network company, has selected Ciena Optical Tech, a networking systems company, as its vendor for optical technologies targeted for scaling connectivity services. Lumen will utilize Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme high-bandwidth 1.6 Tb/s coherent transceiver to help drive economic benefits for operators, as well as its Navigator Control Suite to help automate the management and control of Lumen’s fiber assets. RICHARDSON, Texas — Manufacturer of precision optical sighting systems Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. has been awarded a firm fixed price purchase order of $4.2 million from BAE Systems in support of a Bradley A4 follow-on production award. As part of the award, Optex will supply laser protected periscopes and optical sighting systems for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and will be delivered over the next 28 months. CENTENNIAL, Colo. — NUBURU, Inc., a blue laser technology developer, has made a significant strategic investment in Supply@ME Capital Plc (SYME), a fintech platform focused on inventory monetization solutions for manufacturing and trading companies. The company has entered into a $5.15 million on-demand convertible funding facility to be provided to SYME, funded through the support of SFE Equity Investment SARL and its partners. This investment, which is expected to be converted into SYME shares and will result in NUBURU holding a controlling interest in SYME, will support the development of financial solutions by SYME, while allowing NUBURU to pivot towards a capital-light business approach that leverages AI, robotics, and fintech solutions. This comes after a $2 million equity swap agreement between NUBURU and HUMBL, Inc. earlier this month. EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — Photonics company VTEC Lasers and Sensors has entered into a partnership with photonic gas sensors developer Spectrik, becoming a shareholder in the company. The investment will help to support Spectrik’s development of gas sensors for the livestock sector. ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc., an optics and photonics manufacturer, has expanded its space products offering to add optomechanicals for satellite optics and ground networks. The product line, which is in the development and production part approval process, is being developed for earth-based stations, enabling high-bandwidth data transmission and signal processing. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Developer of industrial x-ray CT technology Lumafield has closed a $75 million series C funding round led by IVP. The company plans to use the funding for the expansion into factory applications by embedding high-resolution, non-destructive inspection directly into production lines. Concurrently, the company has appointed Bill Cronin, the previous chief revenue officer at Xometry, as head of revenue. BEAVERTON, Ore. — Lumencor Inc., an LED developer, has opened a new cell culture laboratory at its headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. The lab is equipped with hardware and software designed for cell-based assays, focusing on the validation of reagents and bespoke bioanalytical instruments. The company said that it will serve as a dedicated research facility for assay development in various 2D and 3D cell models, enhancing its high-throughput systems and supporting a range of applications in biology and drug discovery.