Engineered composites that exhibit exceptional properties not readily observed in nature -- commonly known as metamaterials -- and their potential use in invisibility cloaks, new imaging methods and communication technologies will be a major topic of discussion during the biannual SPIE Europe International Congress on Optics and Optoelectronics next week in Prague. The event, which takes place from April 16-20 at the Prague Congress Centre, will showcase the latest advances in optics, optoelectronics and photonics, from instrument and device development to photonic manufacturing and emerging nanotechnologies, and will also serve as the platform for information updates on the European Commission Research Framework Programme. The 2007 congress consists of nine conferences, a Hot Topics session, a LaserLab Europe Workshop, a Women in Optics dinner and a three-day exhibition (April 17-19), among other activities. The first international congress was held in 2005, a result of many years of successful regional optics and optoelectronics conferences organized by the SPIE Poland Chapter. SPIE said this new symposium series seeks to encourage the open exchange of topical research information and discussion of novel concepts and fields of applications. The symposium offers many opportunities for questions, discussions and networking among fellow researchers, scientists and engineers on the latest in optics and optoelectronics. This year's symposium consists of nine conferences: Metamaterials Nonlinear Optics and Applications Photon-Counting Applications Quantum Optics and Quantum Cryptography Adaptive Optics for Laser Systems and Other Applications Optical Sensors Damage to VUV, EUV and X-Ray Optics Liquid Crystals and Applications in Optics Photonic Crystal Fibers"One of the conferences that has expanded and grown is Optical Sensors, where 80 papers will be presented," said symposium cochair Pavel Tománek of Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. "After extensive research in laboratories during the last 20 years, numerous sensor technologies have found applications in significant fields such as environmental monitoring, health care, food safety, and security." The Hot Topics session starts off the week on Monday, April 16, by featuring presentations by researchers such as Sir John B. Pendry of Imperial College London, who will present the talk "Metamaterials Provide a Cloak of Invisibility." Iam Choon Khoo of The Pennsylvania State University will present "Liquid Crystalline Metamaterials with Low-Loss Tunable Negative-Zero-Positive Refractive Index in the Terahertz-Optical Region." Concita Sibilia, of Università degli Studi di Roma Sapienza, Italy, will talk about "Nonlinear and Quantum Optics with Photonic Band Gap Structures."In addition, Ronan Burgess and Thierry Van der Pyl, both of the European Commission, will present current research and development photonic projects as well as the research policy and strategy of the European Commission in the area of photonics within the Seventh Framework Programme. Special guest Theodor W. Hänsch, recipient of the 2005 Nobel Prize in physics, will speak; the Czech Academy of Sciences will present him with an honorary medal during the Monday evening welcome reception. The symposium will hold the LaserLab Europe Workshop on Tuesday, April 17, which SPIE said will feature talks from top industry players providing an overview of new laser technologies and LaserLab Europe's current activities. Laserlab Europe combines the majority of the largest national laboratories in the area of laser-based interdisciplinary research at the European level. Together they represent a comprehensive collection of modern laser technologies and laser research, and pursue applications in sciences and life sciences through in-house research and services. Another highlight of the congress, and a networking opportunity for attendees, is the Women in Optics Dinner on Wednesday evening, April 18. The event's exhibition will be held from Tuesday through Thursday and brings together regional and international exhibitors from the optics and photonics communities. For more information, visit: http://spie.org/events/eec